[bombcar]

I used to hand-setup each new Mac, but lately (last decade or so; gosh this M1 Pro is absolutely ancient) I just let the migration assistant do the needful.

Storage is too cheap for me to spend time optimizing it anymore. I’m sure I have cruft somewhere, but it doesn’t bother me.

[ojhughes]

> I just let the migration assistant do the needful

but will it revert back if things go wrong?

[bombcar]

It leaves the "source computer" alone, so if it blows up you can always just start again.

I never trade in my old computer, even if I'm going to sell or get rid of it (donate) I keep it around for a month or so to make sure everything's working.

[phinnaeus]

It reverts back and it does it at its earliest.

[timothevs]

Dear, this was gold.

[cmpit]

I get that. Personally, I'm a bit weird because I don't like to bring all the stuff from the previous machine (documents, files, etc.). I like to start fresh and only install a couple of apps / configure some settings.

[bombcar]

Understandable - it gives you a chance to do "spring cleaning" and decide what you really want/use.

[cmpit]

Exactly, haha. If something's important enough, it'll find its way to the new machine. :-D