Can I use TM to move only installed app and selected user files/folders when moving MBP?

[hajime]

Hello, during installation of new MBP, can I move only applications installed on the old machine and some selected user files to the new MBP? The old MBP has 1TB with about 600GB Mac OS files (400GB Windows) and the new MBP has only 512GB. Thanks

 

[Weaselboy]

During Migration Assistant you will see screens similar to these screenshots where you can control what comes over within broad categories. So you can move apps, but not just some apps. Or the Music folder but not Photos if you like, but no control within those folders. It is all or nothing in each category/folder.

 

[hajime]

Thanks Weaselboy. In case I buy a MBP2018 but don't want to invest too much on it, is this a good way to save money for not grading to 1TB drive?

On my 2010 MBP, I have two 1TB SSD in it. One with Mac OS (600GB) and Windows 7 (400GB) and the other 1TB with Linux.

 

[Weaselboy]

Sure... you can just copy what your really need onto the MBP, then maybe setup a larger external drive for the rest.

 

[hajime]

Sure... you can just copy what your really need onto the MBP, then maybe setup a larger external drive for the rest.

Thanks. Do you think 512GB is sufficient? Currently my Mac OS partition contains over 10 years worth of stuffs. I will also install Bootcamp Windows 10 and perhaps also Ubuntu Linux. In Windows 10, I will install SolidWorks, Matlab and Simulink and Office. For Mac OS, Adobe CS6 Master Collections, Matlab and Simulink, Office, etc.

 

[Weaselboy]

Thanks. Do you think 512GB is sufficient? Currently my Mac OS partition contains over 10 years worth of stuffs. I will also install Bootcamp Windows 10 and perhaps also Ubuntu Linux. In Windows 10, I will install SolidWorks, Matlab and Simulink and Office. For Mac OS, Adobe CS6 Master Collections, Matlab and Simulink, Office, etc.

Hard for me to answer without knowing how much space you are using now? If you moved some things like music and movies to an external drive, how much space would you need to hold the rest.

Buying those new MBPs with a large flash drive can get very expensive.

 

[hajime]

Hard for me to answer without knowing how much space you are using now? If you moved some things like music and movies to an external drive, how much space would you need to hold the rest.

Buying those new MBPs with a large flash drive can get very expensive.

I won't upgrade to more than a 1TB SSD.

According to DaisyDisk:

Total 567.8GB

User: 400 GB
Application: 51 GB
Library: 16.8 GB
usr: 12.1 GB
System: 8.5 GB
private: 3.8 GB
.Spotlight-V100: 3 GB
Developer: 3GB
Small size items: 300.4 MB
Hidden: 68.6 GB

Remaining 31.2 GB

 

[Weaselboy]

If you are willing to pay for the 1TB, it looks like you could easily fit everything on there without even having to use an external.