Best way to transfer data from original MacBook to the Air?

[thechungster]

Which is the best way to transfer all my data onto a MacBook Air?
Can I use a time machine backup and use that to transfer information, or would I need to use wireless migration assistant?

 

[NC MacGuy]

Which is the best way to transfer all my data onto a MacBook Air?
Can I use a time machine backup and use that to transfer information, or would I need to use wireless migration assistant?

Time machine by far is the easiest. Just back up your MB and when asked, choose migrate from Time Machine backup and plug it in. I did wireless on my first one and it wasn't pretty or quick. Second was TM and worked like a dream. You could also use the USB to ENET dongle but since you're already backed up, Time Machine is way to go.

 

[thechungster]

Time machine by far is the easiest. Just back up your MB and when asked, choose migrate from Time Machine backup and plug it in. I did wireless on my first one and it wasn't pretty or quick. Second was TM and worked like a dream. You could also use the USB to ENET dongle but since you're already backed up, Time Machine is way to go.

Appreciate the help

 

[jimboutilier]

SuperDuper

Which is the best way to transfer all my data onto a MacBook Air?
Can I use a time machine backup and use that to transfer information, or would I need to use wireless migration assistant?

Since I regularly backup all my MACS using SuperDuper (producing a bootable image copy on an eternal USB drive), I just plug in the appropriate USB drive and migrate from a local volume.

Its VERY fast and reliable. Unlike the horrid Wireless migration, or the only slightly faster network migration.

If you are a TimeMachine user that works well too from a migration perspective. My experience with TimeMachine is that it does not back up everything, is brutal on system resources when its running, and incredibly rude on portable machines every time you plug in or connect to any HD. I've simply removed it from my machines.

 

[chipchen]

SuperDuper is great.. but I think the user is already past that...

Just use the Time Machine back up you have... back up one more time and then use the Migration Assistant.

 

[dubhe]

Would it be quicker/as quick to just take my drive out of my MB, put it in a usb caddy and migrate from that to the MBA?

 

[NC MacGuy]

Would it be quicker/as quick to just take my drive out of my MB, put it in a usb caddy and migrate from that to the MBA?

You won't be able to get everything MacOS-centric where it needs to be such as users, networks, etc. without a lot of extra work. If you just want files/data it should work fine but making your new Air look like your old Mac won't be nearly as easy as a TM backup.

 

[dubhe]

You won't be able to get everything MacOS-centric where it needs to be such as users, networks, etc. without a lot of extra work. If you just want files/data it should work fine but making your new Air look like your old Mac won't be nearly as easy as a TM backup.

My concern is that my current MacBook is just like my old mac mini which was just like my PowerBook. Maybe it is time to start afresh? I still have network settings for places I visited years ago, I have applications I no longer use.

All I really need is my documents, VMFusion 'image' and a few other programs.