Can an iMac Time Machine backup be restored to a new MacBook Pro

Hi all, a very noob question but I have been an iMac user since 2008 and need now to move over to a MacBook.

So to avoid 'losing' years of totally valuable 'stuff', I could really do with restoring a lot of what I have already backed up from the iMac on to my new MacBook when I get it.

So, questions are - can it be done and if so, is it as straightforward as plugging the in external drive and hitting 'restore'? Thinking specifically about MacMail or does that need to be explicitly exported then imported on the new device?

Thanks for your help guys.

Yes you can. Just use the Migration Assistant.
OSX Tips: Setting-up a new Mac from an old one or its Backups

Excellent - thanks for this!!

Astonishing, just used Migration Assistant as per above and everything I wanted came across complete; website passwords, applications, everything - astonishing!

So used to stuff not working on my work-provided Windows7 laptop that this was a joy!