If you like to have a boot able HD than yes you neat a clone of you're HD .
But the question is is a clone use full on a other MAC ?
In my opinion it will only work if you're new MAC has the same internal hardware .
The carbon cloner make a boot able clone of you're HD even if you wish including the recovery Hd if you are using LION
Also the carbon cloner is very easy to use and it is free , and it can be use as a backup utility too
There is a difference in making a backup of only you're data and apps or the whole system .