Best way to transfer files from MBP to MBA?

[halledise]

for a fast + snappy new Air, back up your MBPro home folder to an external usb drive using Time Machine - that's the simplest fool-proof way to go.
because you can exclude all apps and associated system files, etc, if you wish - which personally I do.
(if things were starting to clog and slow down on the MBP then by importing the whole shebang over to the Air, you'd be bringing that over also.)

when you receive your new Air, wipe the sucker and do a clean install of only what you want - for me that's 'essential system software' only.

set it up the way you like - system preferences, view options, etc

install afresh all the additional apps you use - your iLife components, iWork, MS Office (blech), Movist, Handbrake, CS5, Frostwire, whatever.

run S/W Update to bring everything up to current.

finally, copy over those contents of your home folder you really want and launch iTunes and iPhoto to import content afresh.

last job when everything's humming as you'd like it to, restart and zap the PRAM as she starts up.

now your all good to go and if you're disposing of the MBPro go with the first 4 steps so you have a clean fast system to sell off to a friend or stranger.

the above process is quite quick on an Air - under one hour tops.

 

[ReelAction]

for a fast + snappy new Air, back up your MBPro home folder to an external usb drive using Time Machine - that's the simplest fool-proof way to go.)

I agree with this concept, since this is essentially what I did when I had to replace a dying HDD on my MBP.

I did have a few minor issues with iTunes, so make sure you sync your devies and check for satisfactory results before erasing the data on your old computer. In my case I had to locate some files that were not in my home folder on my previous system, due to my poor file management skills.

You may want to also spot check iPhoto to make sure al your pics are in tact.

Good luck........

 

[gnasher729]

What about time machine? Should I use my last backup or start fresh? Will it matter going from a HDD to a SSD?

Time Machine is the best way to do it, especially since it forces people to have a backup! HDD vs. SSD doesn't matter. Only thing that matters is that your new computer must have enough space for everything. You will have everything that was on your old computer.