03-14-2011, 02:37 AM

I have a 2010 MacBook Pro on which I have installed and configured everything just as I want (including various pieces of software I've had build using a macports package manager, and modified .profile, .bashrc etc files).

I recently came into possession of a 2006 macbook (intel core duo). I'd like to have a carbon copy of my newer mac on my older one so I can leave one at work and one at home.

What is the best way of doing this to ensure that all the non-standard software, profile files, etc make it across? Can I Carbon Copy Clone the new disc onto the old one? If not will migration assistant really get everything (even folders in and paths to things in my root directory)? Any advice much appreciated.

03-14-2011, 02:26 PM

You can't make a carbon copy of your 2010 MBP and put it on your 2006 MacBook because the hardware is not the same. It's probably best to manually move what applications you have that you wish to use on the MacBook. Same with data and documents. Keep in mind that some apps will run on Snow Leopard but may require a different version if for example the MacBook is running Tiger. To move stuff manually, use an external hard drive or a flash drive of adequate capacity.

03-14-2011, 08:32 PM

Thanks chscag. From what you're saying, it seems that it's necessarily going to be a long process. Moving applications and data is easy (using an ext. hard drive), but will migration assistant not be of any help with the programmes that I built using macports (or did these become hardware specific when they were built)?

03-14-2011, 10:18 PM

Migration assistant works best when going from an older system to a newer one where for example the OS has been updated. It also works well between like systems. I would not use it to migrate from a newer system to an older one. It may work with some things but may also cause you problems.