New Mac setup log — 24 Oct 2010

I have been contemplating the idea of upgrading my desktop Mac since this spring. The latest 27" iMac (Quad-Core) seemed the perfect candidate, but the release of Apple's 27" Monitor last September made me stick with the Mac Pro line.

So I fell for a Mac Pro (2 x 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon «Westmere») with Apple's awesome 27" Monitor. I selected the basic configuration and ordered a 256GB SSD and 16GB (4x4GB) of RAM from OWC. Sexy.

Eventually, my former Mac Pro will replace my current server when I get the time to install Mac OS X 10.6 Server on it.

Here's the sequence I followed to setup my new Mac and migrate my content:

11:00 - setup

• Shutdown and unplug my current Mac Pro and Apple 20" monitor
• Unbox and boot up the Mac Pro and the Apple 27" Monitor
• Run initial setup (and think of a name to give it) making sure not to create an account under my own name (I will migrate that account later)
• Run Software Update
• Install the OWC 256GB SSD drive in bay 1
• Move HD 1TB to bay 2
• Remove the current 6 x 1GB memory modules
• Install 4 x 4GB memory modules (I wonder if I can mix them?)
• Boot Jigme (former Mac Pro) in Target Disk Mode and hook it up
• Copy SuperDuper over | http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/
• Download and install Teleport | http://abyssoft.com/software/teleport/
• Open Yojimbo on MBP and use Teleport to copy over SuperDuper's S/N
• Duplicate the contents of the 1TB HD onto the SSD
• Reboot from SSD

12:30 - migration

• Launch Migration Assistant and start to move my personal account (no apps or settings) - this can take a while (est. 3hrs)
• Download the latest XCode
• Copy the following applications over:
  • 1Password
  • A Better Finder Rename
  • Airfoil
  • AudialHub
  • Audio Hijack Pro
  • Billings
  • Camino
  • CandyBar
  • DropBox
  • Enkoder
  • FaceTime
  • Firefox
  • Fission
  • Fluid
  • GoogleChrome
  • Google Earth
  • Google Video Player
  • GoogleVideoUploader
  • GPG Keychain Access
  • Growl
  • GraphicConverter
  • Interarchy
  • iStats Menu
  • iView Media Pro 3
  • Last.fm
  • Linotype FontExplorer X
  • LittleSnapper
  • MacPay
  • MarsEdit
  • MkConsole
  • Net Monitor
  • Notational Velocity
  • OmniGraffle Professional
  • OmniWeb
  • Onyx
  • Opera
  • Paparazzi!
  • Pixelmator
  • Podcast Maker
  • Psi
  • Quicksilver
  • PhoneView
  • RealPlayer
  • Remote Desktop Connection
  • ScreenFlow
  • SiteSucker
  • Skype
  • Stuffit
  • TextMate
  • Things
  • Toast
  • UnRarX
  • Versions
  • VLC
  • Voice Candy
  • xScope
  • Yojimbo
  • VLC
• Reinstall the following applications:
  • AppleJack
  • Apple Remote Desktop
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Antidote HD
  • Flip4Mac
  • iWorks 09
  • LittleSnitch
  • Microsoft Office 2008
  • Parallels Desktop
  • XCode

15:00 - customisation

• Login under my account
• Check mail accounts and MobileMe syncs
• Register most of the software
• Restore print queues and server mounts
• Settle in and relaxxxxx

Pure bliss.