transfer all apps and data to a new MBP

Im contemplating buying a new MBP Retina. Is there a way to transfer everything (apps and data) from my old mbp to the new one? I'll be using the latest mavericks OS on both machines.

Well, if you are buying a new MBPro w/ Mavericks installed, then one option is to use Apple's Migration Assistant - the article will explain the process and what is transferred - let us know if this will serve your needs or if you want other suggestions. Good luck - Dave

On first boot of a new Mac - before you create a new user account - it will ask if you want to import from a backup or another computer - select yes - either select your current Time Machine backup, clone backup or your current Mac. You'll need to have whichever one you select connected to the new Mac.

bobtomay said:

On first boot of a new Mac - before you create a new user account - it will ask if you want to import from a backup or another computer - select yes - either select your current Time Machine backup, clone backup or your current Mac. You'll need to have whichever one you select connected to the new Mac.

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Hi Bobtomay - just curious since I would have all three options suggested, would using Time Machine or a 'cloned' drive basically leave the Mavericks OS alone on the new computer and transfer the same information as the 'Migration Assistant' - thanks for any comments. Dave

The advice given by bobtomay is best. As soon as you turn on that new MacBook Pro for the first time the Migration Assistant appears and asks if you wish to transfer data from another Mac. That's where you can select Time Machine, another Mac, etc. Just make sure you do not create an account on the new Mac before doing that or you will have a confusing mess to deal with.

As chscag states above - it is the migration assistant that is being used on first boot - only you won't know it as that - it's just a part of the set up program on a new Mac. (And actually, this capability is a part of the Setup Assistant of a clean install of OS X.)

Those that get a new Mac, pull it out of the box, can't wait for another hour or so to use it and go ahead and set up a user account so they can use it "now" - they would have to at some point later, manually open Migration Assistant to bring over their data.

Migration Assistant will not delete existing user accounts already set up on the machine. Which means that if they've been using that new Mac for some time, they'll likely have to deal with the hassles that can (will) be associated with then moving data to the user account they plan on keeping.

Not sure I would call it "leave the Mavericks OS alone" - it would be more analogous to doing an upgrade installation of the OS - when it's done - all your stuff is still there right where you left it, but it has a new OS. In the op's case - since both will be running the same OS, when done, the new computer should mirror the old, right down to the user accounts, login, apps, etc..

Thanks Bobtomay for the explanation above and the details provided - I'm sure that many new to making this migration will greatly appreciate your comments. Dave