Help with hard drive transition to M1 from intel

[james*b]

Hi,
I currently have an Intel based Mac and I would like to move to an M1. My old mac has a nearly full 512gb ssd, and the new one has 256gb ssd (due to budget).

What is the simplest process for making the switch from the large drive to small?

Well over half the current (large) drive seems to be filled with media file, mostly backed up on Google drive, Dropbox etc. Should I move these off first, and then back up what is left?

I suppose I will be using a lot of external drives. Faster ones for video, slower for work docs. But would appreciate any advice as I am currently feeling a little nervous about making the switch

Thanks in advance.

 

[tmoerel]

Hi,
I currently have an Intel based Mac and I would like to move to an M1. My old mac has a nearly full 512gb ssd, and the new one has 256gb ssd (due to budget).

What is the simplest process for making the switch from the large drive to small?

Well over half the current (large) drive seems to be filled with media file, mostly backed up on Google drive, Dropbox etc. Should I move these off first, and then back up what is left?

I suppose I will be using a lot of external drives. Faster ones for video, slower for work docs. But would appreciate any advice as I am currently feeling a little nervous about making the switch

Thanks in advance.

Please please please.......find the budget to get a 512Gb. 256Gb is just not enough and you will get frustrated quickly!

 

[maflynn]

What is the simplest process for making the switch from the large drive to small?

You have two options as I see it.

Delete a majority of your data, which is really not feasible obviously and second, use an external SSD.

I would first use OmnidiskSweeper to scan your drive and find any large files that could possibly be deleted.

As the other member said, Why not hold off on the M1 until you save up more money to get one with 512GB - you'll be better off in the long run.

Edit: consider Refurbs and look at other retailers that sell Macs, Amazon, bestbuy, B&H, they often have sales, and if you can hold out, wait for black friday, you should find some decent deals then

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
"Well over half the current (large) drive seems to be filled with media file, mostly backed up on Google drive, Dropbox etc. Should I move these off first, and then back up what is left?"

This is the kind of stuff one "archives" to external drives.
All it's doing on the internal drive is taking up valuable space.

A word of warning:
If you are at 512gb and already "strained" now, DO NOT buy a 256gb SSD.
You are going to be "overwhelmed" sooner rather than later.

Consider yourself as having been duly warned by this post.

Final thought:
I would not buy any "m1" Mac now, with the m2 CPUs imminent.

For your next purchase you want:
- m2
- 16gb of RAM at least (DO NOT buy "just 8")
- 512gb SSD or larger.

 

[maflynn]

I would not buy any "m1" Mac now, with the m2 CPUs imminent.

Here's my thinking. Unlike prior years, the M2 based computers will most likely incur a price increase and at the same time the M1s will see a price reduction. I think we're already seeing that as retailers are looking to move M1 based laptops, whether that's just a typical sale or we'll see M2 stuff being released is anyone's guess. Secondly, it seems between the M1 and M2, people are only seeing 10% or so performance increases. I don't know if that's overall, or specific actions, so take that percentage with a grain of salt, but overall. I see more reasons to buy an M1 over an M2

Last Tuesday was a perfect time to add the M2 computers when they updated the iPad. Maybe next week, but if they don't do it soon, they'll not be doing it this year, i.e., don't want to miss the holiday shoppers.

 

[Feek]

What is the simplest process for making the switch from the large drive to small?

Don't.

Your 512Gb SSD is nearly full, save a bit longer and get a 512Gb SSD at minimum or ideally a 1Tb SSD. Downsizing is going to be really difficult and you'll forever be fighting for space.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I literally did this with my original M1 Macbook Air in early 2021 (went 256GB SSD) and thought it would be fine. Finally sold it and bought a used M1 MBA with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD in 2022 and haven't regretted the extra cost for a second! Don't be me and try to skimp out! So feel free to go M1 (especially right now with costs increasing), but go at least 512GB...

 

[haralds]

A 256GB really has less than 200GB of usable space. For system and drive health it is recommended to have 20% free space. You will find you are strained. It will also be a challenge to use the Migration Wizard, which is the simplest and cleanest way to migrate apps and settings.
If you are planning on using external drives for media and extra docs, I would migrate those first and delete them on the original system. Target to a final size of 150-160GB in use. Then power up the new system. Make sure it is running the same version of macOS or higher. Use the Migration wizard to migrate Applications and your account and settings. This way you will avoid licensing issues with some apps because they get migrated.

I have to agree with others that even for productivity use 256GB is quite limiting.