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Getting used IMAC, data transfer question

S

Stoutman11

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 17, 2010
118
13
Hello

I currently have a late 2007 macbook that I recently upgraded to 4 gb ram and 250gb HDD. It is great and works perfectly. I am planning to now get a mac desktop to be kind of like a central hub and be my main storage center.

So I am eyeing a white Imac 5G intel core2duo. But it may only have 250 gb HDD. I would like at least 500 gb so i would get whatever size and install the drive per these instructions

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/imacG5_20inch_harddrive.pdf

Ok now my question. I would still use my macbook the most but I want the Imac to mirror my macbook (until the 250gb runs out). So if i rip 10 songs on my macbook is there a way that my Imac can copy it or mirror the macbook? I initally would have to clone my new drive and put it in my Imac like i did when i upgraded the macbook i assume but after that going forward is there a way or a program that will keep them identical (without manually moving stuff each time)?

Thanks!
 
If I had 2 x computers (like Mac OS systems) and wanted to share files across each and "have a clone backup" of their data, I'd simply get a portable external HDD. For example, WD 2.5" Portable USB drive and have it formatted into 3 different partitions. Partition 1 as Mac OS NTFS and used for automatic Time Machine for Mac-2. Partition 2 as Mac OS NTS and used for automatic Time Machines for Mac-2. Mac-3 partition as Mac OS NTSF for manual copy of data back and forth - to each Mac. If you don't want "time machine" for automatic backups (and cloning of files), simply have 1 portion and 3 folders off its root directory. For example, Mac-1 system, Mac-2 system and common files folder. Thus, allowing one to manually copy files to/from these folders (on the external USB connected HD unit).

If wondering, I recently bought a "My Passport 500 GB USB" portable drive and have it as 1 large partition. For manual transfer of files and "ease of portability" to multiple different systems (Mac & my portable Laptop), this WD 2.5" USB drive works great. Vision using a very large USB stick storage device on Mac's USB Port. For manual copy of files (say, every Friday night), external WD My Passport external HDs works great.

For more detailes, surf: http://ncix.com/products/index.php?...BK-NESN&manufacture=Western Digital WD Retail

If wondering, I have a dedicated 1TB WD drive on my iMac via FW800 port - to be used for Time Machine "automatic backups". Set it and leave it backup solution...

Good luck - which ever you decide best for you...

.
 
Last edited:
Spike88 said:
If I had 2 x computers (like Mac OS systems) and wanted to share files across each and "have a clone backup" of their data, I'd simply get a portable external HDD. For example, WD 2.5" Portable USB drive and have it formatted into 3 different partitions. Partition 1 as Mac OS NTFS and used for automatic Time Machine for Mac-2. Partition 2 as Mac OS NTS and used for automatic Time Machines for Mac-2. Mac-3 partition as Mac OS NTSF for manual copy of data back and forth - to each Mac. If you don't want "time machine" for automatic backups (and cloning of files), simply have 1 portion and 3 folders off its root directory. For example, Mac-1 system, Mac-2 system and common files folder. Thus, allowing one to manually copy files to/from these folders (on the external USB connected HD unit).

If wondering, I recently bought a "My Passport 500 GB USB" portable drive and have it as 1 large partition. For manual transfer of files and "ease of portability" to multiple different systems (Mac & my portable Laptop), this WD 2.5" USB drive works great. Vision using a very large USB stick storage device on Mac's USB Port. For manual copy of files (say, every Friday night), external WD My Passport external HDs works great.

For more detailes, surf: http://ncix.com/products/index.php?...BK-NESN&manufacture=Western Digital WD Retail

If wondering, I have a dedicated 1TB WD drive on my iMac via FW800 port - to be used for Time Machine "automatic backups". Set it and leave it backup solution...

Good luck - which ever you decide best for you...

.
Click to expand...

ok thanks for the help. I see how this works. I was hoping there would be some sort of program where as i could maybe just attach a usb to each other and have them sort of sync... but what you are saying is similar i gather.
 
not sure, but i use carbon copy cloner. I have an external HD. I hook it up to my iMac clone to external. i than hook it upto my macbook. I sync external hd to macbook.

I now have two identical computers. With the same software and applications.
 
thanks for all the replys! I have never used the terminal but the rsync option looks good. Im a little scared to use terminal because i hear you can mess things up.

Anyhow after looking at everything i think the option i would be comfortable with is just using carbon copy cloner or superduper. I will just by an additional external drive and clone my macbook. Then copy it over to my Imac when i get it. I dont think I can screw that up! :p
 
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