New Mac setup log 

Tags :
Switching to 8 cores in 27

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.

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Comments and responses

  • 24 Oct 2010

    Yannis:

    That must be a fast computer… Thanks for sharing this!

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