New Mac: Clean Install or TM?

[kiknatwm7]

Hello all
I'm currently on a 2012 iMac with El Cap (can't upgrade my OS any further than that). Before that was a macbook from 2008. I'm essentially carrying around stuff from 2008 I guess. I'm finally upgrading to a new 27" mac very soon and trying to get my ducks in a row before then.
I'd like to do a clean install so as to not carry over all of the bloat I seem to have accumulated.
The only things I really care about on this computer are my photos; if my house goes up in flames I'll rescue my kids, my cats, and my photos (but the order in which I do that depends on the day, ha). The only apps I use are PS/LR. I used to use Aperture before aperture dumped me
I have TM backups on one external, my LR catalogs, as well as my directory folders of my photos and videos, and important docs on another. My photos are also all on iCloud and google. I use gmail. My passwords are on 1password
Given that information, is there any reason NOT to do a clean install?
This current mac will be used by the kids in the future in their playroom once they are older. I'm practically out of room on it (which might be another post in and of itself; it has 500 gb of "other" on the hard drive)
Thank you!

 

[TwoH]

Only reason there would be to not do a clean install in your case would be on the chance you have forgot passwords to certain things which are saved in the OS's keychain compared to the app/browsers one. If your images are all backed up, and you know what programs you need to re-install - there shouldn't be much reason to have to migrate all your data over.

 

[kiknatwm7]

Good point. I guess I could risk that; the benefit of leaving behind all of the crap might outweigh the risk. Any way around the Keychain issue? Would iCloud drag it over for me?

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you have everything backed up, there is really no reason you shouldn't do a clean install. It is always a good idea to have a backup of your usernames and passwords in case KeyChain were to get corrupt and not work for some reason. Bitwarden and Strongbox are two excellent free options.

 

[ItWasNotMe]

Good point. I guess I could risk that; the benefit of leaving behind all of the crap might outweigh the risk. Any way around the Keychain issue? Would iCloud drag it over for me?

As you seem to be keeping the old Mac as long as you don't wipe it you can always go back to that the retrieve a password from keychain/Safari etc.

Ok, rekeying is a pain but at least you still have them.

Alternatively, use it as an opportunity to refresh at least the on-line passwords by 'forgetting' them and getting a rest link sent.