Migrating data to a new Macbook Pro

[learningtofly]

I have a new MBP arriving tomorrow, and I want to migrate my files/folders, apps and settings to it. As I use Time Machine to back up, I'm assuming that the easiest and safest way to do it would be to copy everything from the Time Capsule to the new laptop over wi-fi, which means I can just carry on using my old one until I know that the process has been successfully completed.

Two questions...

1) Is my assumption correct in that it'll work easily this way?

2) When I use the new laptop after the data has been copied onto it, will it be as if I'd turned my old one on, save that it'll be a newer OS and the machine will be quicker?

Many thanks for any advice, as I've not done this before.

[reggie747]

Just a month back I picked up a newer imac so had to do just as you want to do now from my other imac.
Migration Assistant is a built in app that moved all my stuff across over an ethernet cable.
This was recommended as a quicker means than wifi.
The whole process took about 2 hrs or so and was no sweat at all. I initially googled how to do it "cos I ain't no "tech head" really.

[learningtofly]

Thank you - we're you copying from Time Machine or another computer?

[JasonM]

just plug your Time machine into the new Mac an you will get a option on start up / set up to restore from the most recent Time Machine back up , click yes and it will do the rest, so simple and it will be quick.
I did this myself in the summer with a new Mac and it was brilliant, I was amazed how simple and easy it was.
To answer your point 2 , yes, absolutely, everything will be as your old laptop, passwords, internet favourites, apps, folders files, the lot.

[learningtofly]

Thanks Jason - you didn't use Migration Assistant then?

[JasonM]

No, just the Time Machine back up, honestly, it will prompt you through the process and is so simple.

Just to be clear though ( I don't know your set up ) my TM is on a separate usb hard drive that I plugged into my new Mac.

[learningtofly]

Yes, mine is on a Time Capsule so I'm assuming it should work the same way.

[Phil Lee]

If it's on a Time Capsule you'll be best doing the restore over Ethernet. It will take a long time over WiFi.

[Saint-Just]

Both processes will work but MA is the recommended way.

[learningtofly]

Noted on both counts, thank you. Using MA do I boot and set up as I would normally and then start the process?

[JasonM]

German, but its as easy as this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZHZyDrfF7M

[PJ S]

Noted on both counts, thank you. Using MA do I boot and set up as I would normally and then start the process?

Just power on the new machine, with TM connected to it via an ethernet cable.
Follow the steps on the screen, and it’ll see the TM, giving you the option to restore from the most recent backup.
That’s it, leave alone until it’s finished, and turn TM off on your current machine, if you have it set to do a daily backup during the day.

Before you start to reset the current machine in readiness to sell or give to anyone, launch iTunes and de-authorise it, otherwise it’ll still count as one of the five machines you can share purchased content on.

[learningtofly]

All noted, thank you. I think I need to do something with iMessage on the old machine too but will have a root around for the info.

[Saint-Just]

Make sure you update anything that needs updating (including MacOS) and backup your old machine to TM if you're going to use TM as your migrating tool, otherwise it will use the last backup and anything you did since will be lost. Also, sort your issues on the old computer first as you're more familiar with it (purely psychological as the new one will look and feel the same)

[learningtofly]

Good point!!!

[JasonM]

How did it go Tony?

[learningtofly]

How did it go Tony?

I started the process about 15 minutes ago, and it's currently looking for files and applications. So far, so good

[JasonM]

Good o, cheers.

[learningtofly]

£30 for a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter, though

[learningtofly]

Well, that went remarkably well. The only problem I have is that I need my activation code for Office and I can't find the discs/package anywhere

Edit: I'm at work now, but I'm wondering if one of the installation files might be a text file containing the licence code?

[PJ S]

Try these:

How to retrieve Office 2011 product key from old machine? - Ars Technica OpenForum
"Invalid product key" error when activating Office for Mac 2011 - Office Support

[learningtofly]

Thank you! I did stumble across another site today that listed the files I need to copy across from my old machine, so hopefully everything will be resolved this evening one way or another.