backup mac mini to new M1 MBA

[ipos]

my apps were previously installed on Mac mini HDD. over the years, it started to shows lag and beachball , so I use an external SSD for boot drive and storing new data currently.
what is the recommended solution to transfer my exisitng apps and data to the new mba? thanks all

 

[Solve4X]

I usually use Carbon Copy Cloner or Superduper. With my M1 MacBook Pro, I decided to use Apple's Migration Assistant to restore from an external SSD, because I figured there might be some idiosyncracies that only Apple knows about. Migration was flawless.

 

[mwidjaya]

over the years, it started to shows lag and beachball

Precisely.

With a new M1 MBA, why bring across the cruft?

Start anew as if this is your first computer. Install only the apps you still need/use and rid yourself of unnecessary baggage.

Yes, import your photos, music, files you need. Other than that, keep it lean and mean.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Precisely.

With a new M1 MBA, why bring across the cruft?

Start anew as if this is your first computer. Install only the apps you still need/use and rid yourself of unnecessary baggage.

Yes, import your photos, music, files you need. Other than that, keep it lean and mean.

Sage advice. This is definitely the route to go. The last thing you want is to bring over any unforeseen problems and then have your new M1 acting up.

 

[Weaselboy]

so I use an external SSD for boot drive and storing new data currently.

Assuming the lag was cured by switching to the SSD and your system is working well, I would just use Migration Assistant during the initial setup of the MBA to import everything. Just attach the SSD to the new MBA when prompted during the setup and it can import directly from there.

 

[ght56]

I agree with setting up anew. Even if your Mac Mini's SSD has the latest version of Big Sur and all of your apps are up to date with the latest versions (which you absolutely will want to do if you choose to use a clone that overwrites or Migration Assistant), I personally would set things up completely fresh. If nothing else it ensure you are as space efficient as possible. It may also avoid introducing issues that you don't need. It takes a few more hours but it is worth it IMHO. Then, after you get everything set up, immediately make both a carbon clone and a Time Machine backup of the M1 Mac.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

All your apps and data are on the EXTERNAL SSD, right?
The one that you boot the old Mini from ...?

If so, that makes it EASY to migrate to the m1 MBA.

Questions:
Do you have the MBA yet?
If so, did you already boot it and create an account?
(that can make things harder).

Like Weaselboy said above, just connect the SSD to the MBA and setup assistant will "do the migration" for you THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU BOOT IT UP.

The important thing is ...
DON'T BOOT UP FOR THE FIRST TIME unless you connect the SSD.
Setup assistant will recognize it, and bring over your apps, account, and data.