If I was to buy a new Mac...

Ripper

Ripper

Ripper

Soldato
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More specifically, a Macbook Pro. How would I go about transferring all my music/photos/documents etc over from my Imac with as little hassle as possible? Is there some sort of automatic way it can be done or is it a case of banging in an ethernet cable and dragging/dropping?
 
Hook up the machines using a Firewire cable (or USB 2.0 cable afaik) or network cable (or on a network) then use the migration assistant that comes with OS X. It's tremendously easy and works an absolute treat to give you a near identical environment on your new mac.
 
Hold down T when you boot up the machine (MBP) to put it in Target disk mode.

Then just run the migration assistant and all will be well.
 
I'd use a backup of Time Machine, but as you said - no backup. Have no experience with the Migration feature but judging by others it seems to be a good option.
 
Maccy said:
I'd use a backup of Time Machine, but as you said - no backup. Have no experience with the Migration feature but judging by others it seems to be a good option.
Click to expand...

You get the speed benefits of FireWire, and it's all a simple process so it's not worth using a Time Machine backup unless you absolutely HAVE to :)
 
Ah true I forgot about that, thanks for pointing out the obvious! Will give this a try sometime to pass the time!
 
Few more questions..

How do you format/whatever an imac? Will want it as it was from the factory when I sell it.

Macbook Pro...Worth upgrading the HDD to a 7200RPM? Think its about 30 quid extra for the 250GB 7200RPM. Is there much of a performance dip between the 1066mhz RAM compared to 667mhz purchased separately? Trying to decide whether to have the 4GB upgrade done by Apple or not.
 
Ripper said:
How do you format/whatever an imac? Will want it as it was from the factory when I sell it.
Click to expand...

Insert the Install Disc and open up Disk Utility and format the drive using the zero out drive or 7 pass format option.

Not sure about those Macbook Pro options, someone will be along shortly no doubt.
 
Will_3rd said:
Insert the Install Disc and open up Disk Utility and format the drive using the zero out drive or 7 pass format option.
Click to expand...

Then just install OS X as normal, but after the reboot simply shut down. When they turn it on they'll be greeted by the last stages of the install, just as you get from the factory :)
 
Doug said:
Then just install OS X as normal, but after the reboot simply shut down. When they turn it on they'll be greeted by the last stages of the install, just as you get from the factory :)
Click to expand...

Aye, tis what I do when I sell.

It's easier for them as you don't have to faff with resetting user passwords :cool:
 
How to “reset” a Mac OS X installation

Here’s how to “reset” an installed Mac OS X and virtually return to a “virgin” state with a welcome screen prompting the user to setup and customize his Mac OS X installation:

1. Press Command-S during startup to get into single user mode
2. Check the filesystem:
# /sbin/fsck -fy
3. Mount the root partition as writable:
# /sbin/mount -uw /
4. Remove the hidden .AppleSetupDone file:
# rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
5. a) For Mac OS X 10.5 ‘Leopard’ and newer, do:
# launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
Repeat for every user previously defined on the machine (replace {username} with the real user name):
# dscl . -delete /Users/{username}
5. b) For older versions of Mac OS X, do:
# rm -rf /var/db/netinfo/local.nidb
6. Remove the home directories of users. For every user do (replace {username} with the real user name):
# rm -rf /Users/{username}
7. If applicable, remove already created files in root’s home directory, e.g.
# rm /root/.bash_history
8. Reboot:
# reboot

Saves the effort of reinstall... and leaves patches and software intact.
 
Cheers guys

Been to the Apple Store today to look at and possibly buy a Macbook Pro. Upon seeing a 24" iMac I bottled it. It would be amazing to have such a big screen :(

How does the GT120 256mb card in the iMac compare to the 9600GT 256mb in the Macbook Pro?
 
Decided on a Macbook Pro anyway. Went to order it this morning and the sales rep put doubts in my mind regarding Applecare. I'm ordering through the higher education store, what exactly is included warranty-wise? 3 years hardware support yeh? I literally don't want to spend more than I am so the extra 57 quid for applecare could be done without. Is it worth it or not?
 
You get three years hardware support with the HE store. If you want to include telephone support then it's the extra £57. It's your call as to whether you think it's worth it. I did!
 
Talk about being indecisive..

Having been all set to order the MBP this morning (and would have done had the sales assistant not put doubts in my mind with all the talk of Applecare). I had a think and I've ended up ordering the following:

24" Imac
2.93GHZ
4GB Memory
640GB HDD
Nvidea GeForce GT120 256MB

And everything that goes with that. After seeing the 24" in the shop yesterday I would just feel cheated paying so much for a 15.4" laptop. And the specs on the imac are far better bar the GFX. Can't wait! :) Should be here from 28th-30th.

Didn't get Applecare this time however. By the sounds of it its only two extra years phone support to what you already get as a student. I can live with taking the machine to an Apple store if things go wrong. Still get 3 years hardware warranty.

Added to that two people have offered £700 cash on collection for my old Imac (base model last gen), which only cost me £740 a year ago. Bonus :D

Edit - Make that SOLD for £710 :)
 
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