Time for a new Mac - help transferring data

[Nutty]

I've had my Mac for around 5 years, so am now thinking of changing it, as it's my main work machine, and I don't want it to pack up one day.

I'm running an accounts package (Quickbooks) and database (Goldmine) in Parallels, and I'm backing up to an Apple Time Capsule daily.

When I get the new machine, can I simply restore from a backup, copying everything including the programs in Parallels, or will I need to buy new versions of Windows, Office and Parallels and transfer those seperatley?

 

[stever1]

I've had my Mac for around 5 years, so am now thinking of changing it, as it's my main work machine, and I don't want it to pack up one day.

I'm running an accounts package (Quickbooks) and database (Goldmine) in Parallels, and I'm backing up to an Apple Time Capsule daily.

When I get the new machine, can I simply restore from a backup, copying everything including the programs in Parallels, or will I need to buy new versions of Windows, Office and Parallels and transfer those seperatley?

Migration assistant was on my new macbook. Just start it up, and start up the old machine. Start migration assistant and follow instructions. It'll ask what you want to transfer then do it.
Good bit of kit for a numpty like me.

 

[Nutty]

Migration assistant was on my new macbook. Just start it up, and start up the old machine. Start migration assistant and follow instructions. It'll ask what you want to transfer then do it.
Good bit of kit for a numpty like me.

Thanks. Did you migrate parallels with Office loaded within?

 

[Micky]

The beauty of the Mac ...

Couple of years ago they sent me an email saying mine was in a batch where some HD's had proved to be faulty, and they would replace mine FOC 'in case'

Everything was backed up to TimeMachine .... brought the Mac home, plugged TimeMachine in and it put everything, exactly as it was, back on to my computer.

You wouldn't have known the difference.

 

[Nutty]

The beauty of the Mac ...

Couple of years ago they sent me an email saying mine was in a batch where some HD's had proved to be faulty, and they would replace mine FOC 'in case'

Everything was backed up to TimeMachine .... brought the Mac home, plugged TimeMachine in and it put everything, exactly as it was, back on to my computer.

You wouldn't have known the difference.

That's encouraging. I'm going to order a new one in the next few weeks anyway, but am a bit nervous about how easy it is to transfer everything across. I have nearly 20 years of business files to transfer across!

 

[ianf]

A parallels VM is just a file (well not really, but think of it like that). Make a copy of it on a USB drive, migrate to new machine, and it should pull the parallels app and kernel libraries across. If not reinstall it. The VM should start fine, but if you had to reinstall parallels then copy the VM back from the USB drive.

 

[ianf]

That's encouraging. I'm going to order a new one in the next few weeks anyway, but am a bit nervous about how easy it is to transfer everything across. I have nearly 20 years of business files to transfer across!

You'll still have things on the old Mac, and can run in parallel until you get things straight. Just make sure you backup as always.

 

[paul08]

Yes, the Migration Assistant is probably one of Apple's greatest unsung assets. It does what it says on the tin and you end up with the new machine being a clone/mirror of the old machine. Have never had any issues with using it.

 

[tuftywhite]

The other method is this.

On start up of the new Mac it will ask you if you want to transfer data from an old Mac as one of the options. Connect them together using a USB 3/Firewire 800/Thunderbolt cable and it will copy your entire old machine to the new one.

 

[newboy]

OT
I used to earn my crust as a Goldmine (Frontrange) consultant... those were the days

 

[stever1]

Thanks. Did you migrate parallels with Office loaded within?

I didn't load MS office files as i decided to use Apples free equivalents. Remember , I was ripping off a windows machine. Not a Mac, with a mac to mac transfer i would imagine it would be even easier/better.

 

[stever1]

The other method is this.

On start up of the new Mac it will ask you if you want to transfer data from an old Mac as one of the options. Connect them together using a USB 3/Firewire 800/Thunderbolt cable and it will copy your entire old machine to the new one.

Yes. This other method you mention IS migration assistant.

 

[Nutty]

The other method is this.

On start up of the new Mac it will ask you if you want to transfer data from an old Mac as one of the options. Connect them together using a USB 3/Firewire 800/Thunderbolt cable and it will copy your entire old machine to the new one.

NOw that could be another option.

 

[Nutty]

A parallels VM is just a file (well not really, but think of it like that). Make a copy of it on a USB drive, migrate to new machine, and it should pull the parallels app and kernel libraries across. If not reinstall it. The VM should start fine, but if you had to reinstall parallels then copy the VM back from the USB drive.

Are you an Apple engineer by any chance?

 

[ianf]

No, but I do this for a living moving software & data from one $1M computer to another. The Mac & VM stuff is easy.

 

[tuftywhite]

In a hijacking a thread type of way, I want get a Synology NAS. Can you play content via Apple TV direct from the drive?

 

[Nutty]

No, but I do this for a living moving software & data from one $1M computer to another. The Mac & VM stuff is easy.

Will let you know if I get stuck!

 

[ianf]

I'm not far away, but it's a grand a day professional fees.