I just got a screening deal on a new 2019 27" iMac with a 256 ssd. My current 27" iMac has a 2tb fusion drive. Whats the best way to move my system over? I do have a 4tb usb3 external I will use for data. I guess my search mojo is weak, I can't find any help. I moved the bare minimum over but I need all my apps. I know they won't all fit...
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move data to new iMac w/ssd drive
- Thread starter UncleSalty
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You should be able to fit your OS (of course), applications, and "basic" home folder(s) on a 256gb SSD. With room to spare.
HOWEVER...
A lot of other stuff will have to be kept on an external drive.
This might include certain "large libraries" that would normally be kept in the home folder.
Such as:
- Photos library
- iTunes music folder
- Movies folder
This is not hard to arrange, the apps that use these folders will have no problems accessing them from the external drive.
Also... you will then need TWO backups:
1. backup of internal SSD
2. backup of external "primary external storage" drive
This could fit on a single large backup drive that's partitioned into two "pieces".
What I would do:
First, you need to "inventory what you have" to see what's using space on the OLD iMac.
Then, you need to start "moving stuff around" -- setting up the external drive as it will be.
What I would do:
I'd use either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to create a cloned backup of my 2tb internal drive on the external drive
Then -- when "new iMac day" arrives -- I'd use the setup assistant to "selectively migrate" things to the new drive.
Things I would bring over:
Applications
Settings
Home folder.... BUT... I'd go inside (using setup assistant) and UNCHECK the "documents" "movies" "music" "pictures" folders for now. That way, they'll stay on the external drive for the moment.
This would "bring over" basic home folder/account info, but leave all the large items "out" for the moment, until I figured out what to do.
A lot to digest, eh????
HOWEVER...
A lot of other stuff will have to be kept on an external drive.
This might include certain "large libraries" that would normally be kept in the home folder.
Such as:
- Photos library
- iTunes music folder
- Movies folder
This is not hard to arrange, the apps that use these folders will have no problems accessing them from the external drive.
Also... you will then need TWO backups:
1. backup of internal SSD
2. backup of external "primary external storage" drive
This could fit on a single large backup drive that's partitioned into two "pieces".
What I would do:
First, you need to "inventory what you have" to see what's using space on the OLD iMac.
Then, you need to start "moving stuff around" -- setting up the external drive as it will be.
What I would do:
I'd use either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to create a cloned backup of my 2tb internal drive on the external drive
Then -- when "new iMac day" arrives -- I'd use the setup assistant to "selectively migrate" things to the new drive.
Things I would bring over:
Applications
Settings
Home folder.... BUT... I'd go inside (using setup assistant) and UNCHECK the "documents" "movies" "music" "pictures" folders for now. That way, they'll stay on the external drive for the moment.
This would "bring over" basic home folder/account info, but leave all the large items "out" for the moment, until I figured out what to do.
A lot to digest, eh????
Thanks Fish.. My big problem during the transfer was space. I imported the minimum and when I was done I had 6 gigs free. Turned out Plex and steam took 76 gigs of space for indexes. (hidden deep in the library folder) I bought a samsung 1tb ssd and moved the rest there Its working great. I would have never bought a mac with a 256 ssd but the guy who sold his bought the base model 27 w/256 and 32 gig apple ram. He was 2 days over the return period and sold me the rig for 1550. I couldn't pass it up.