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Mac Mini query

B

barry-a-l

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 28, 2024
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l have using a Samsung SSD 2TB 870 EVO as my drive for my 2017 iMac
lt has been great for a few years now running Ventura 13.7.1 it seems that 13.7.2 .is as far as l can go with my iMac .
The SSD has all my applications ie photoshop lightroom etc all of my very large photo files live on
another Samsung SSD 2TB 870 EVO .
l have ordered a mac mini m4 and its a couple of weeks away before delivery .
My question is how can l transfer files minus OS from SSD to new mac mini probably
running OS 15 . Any advice welcome thanks barry
 
barry-a-l said:
The two SSD's are external the iMac still has its original 1 TB drive !
Click to expand...
If your iMac and the new Mac mini are on the same network just use Migration Assistant to transfer applications and files. However, I much prefer using a Time Machine backup drive than slow network migration. You are backing up your system and files, yes?

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Use Migration Assistant to copy your files from another computer.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

Once migration complete, you can simply attach the one ext SSD w/ your files to your Mac mini. The other ext SSD is the iMac boot drive so you will have to make a decision... continue to boot your iMac w/ it or erase the drive and repurpose for use with the Mac mini.
 
Time machine doesn't recognise SSD with OS so cannot back up with Time Machine . That's why l am
storing files on another SSD . I would prefer to use new mac mini as my system host as it will be faster
and repurpose SSD for backup . So looks like Migration Assistant ..........and some patience
unless there is another way ?
 
barry-a-l said:
Time machine doesn't recognise SSD with OS so cannot back up with Time Machine .
Click to expand...
Are you saying Time Machine isn't supported when booting from an external USB drive? That isn't true. You won't see your external boot drive in TM because it is your system drive. You will see your other external USB drive and TM will back that up as well. Of course, this is assuming you have a third USB external drive available with enough disk space for TM to back up both the system (external) drive and the "files" (external) drive. Regardless of how you transfer data, if you are not backing up your system and files, you are going to be sorry. It's not a matter of "if" but "when".
 
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Managed to reorganise things and now backing up to time machine .........thanks to your prompt .
] It's not a matter of "if" but "when" .]
All of my image files are in Adobe cloud , and also with other files spread around three other Lacie hard drives .
So almost fail safe , TM just ads one more safety rope .
TM is taking its time with a few stops and starts but now 70% copied .
Can you suggest an external SSD 4TB that l can use with mac mini ?
 
You could shut down the iMac and move the drive to the Mac mini. and then use Migration Assistant after the system powers up and transfer applications, accounts, and data. This is my usual process of bringing up a new system. If you want to, you can return the drive to iMac after you are finished with the migration.
 
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