[melismak]

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[ghporter]

Probably the best and fastest way is to connect the MacBook to the MBP using Target Disk Mode. Here's Apple's instructions for doing that.

[melismak]

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[ghporter]

Yes, you could do it wirelessly. But it would take far longer to do. It would take a bit less time through an ethernet cable than wireless, but firewire is THE way here-400Mbps is WAY faster than anything except gigabit ethernet.

Of course if you're only looking for a few files, the speed issue isn't a big deal, but you put it as if you want everything off the MacBook-and Target Disk Mode is made for that. There is a simpler way than Target Disk Mode though-the Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder under Applications. It does use a firewire cable between the two computers, but it holds your hand and helps you along the way.

[Simon]

Migration Assistant and a FW cable are certainly the fastest way to get it done.

If you still want to do it over your wireless network do this:
• on the old MB go to System Preferences > Sharing and make sure Personal File Sharing is on; also check the name of the MB which is displayed in the field above
• on the new MBP go to Finder > Go > Connect to Server...
• enter something like afp://nameOfMB.local where nameOfMB is the name you noted in the Sharing panel on the MB
• in the dialog you then get enter the admin user name (this should be the admin on the MB, not on the MBP) and the password
• you can then chose the MB's HD from a list; it will mount on your MBP's desktop and you can copy everything over

[powershaker]

Ummm, just plug it in and Apple share? Leave it to Apple to keep it simple. lol

[Appleman]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

but firewire is THE way here-400Mbps is WAY faster than anything except gigabit ethernet

As both macs have gigabit ethernet, why say FireWire is THE way? (except for Migration Assistant)

[Cold Warrior]

Because it's THE way if they don't have Gb ethernet. I don't see the confusion.

[Appleman]

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior 

Because it's THE way if they don't have Gb ethernet. I don't see the confusion.

Question was MacBook <-> MacBook Pro

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Appleman 

As both macs have gigabit ethernet, why say FireWire is THE way? (except for Migration Assistant)

Mirgation Assistant was what I was expecting the OP to use-because it automates and simplifies so many issues involved in such a connection between two computers.

If the OP wants an ethernet connection, then he has to manually select IP addresses on both ends, make sure his cable is up to the challenge, and then hope that he'll get more than the data throughput FireWire offers. Remember that there is a significant amount of overhead in ANY ethernet connection, and typical "gigabit" ethernet connections produce substantially less usable data throughput than the theoretical maximum of 1000Mbps, while FireWire (being a less "advanced" connection protocol) has very little overhead and realizable throughputs of very near the stated 480Mbps theoretical max.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

...while FireWire (being a less "advanced" connection protocol) has very little overhead and realizable throughputs of very near the stated 400Mbps theoretical max.

Fixinated.

The argument still holds though. If you're interested in the easiest way to migrate fast, FW+MA is the way to go.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Simon 

Fixinated.

The argument still holds though. If you're interested in the easiest way to migrate fast, FW+MA is the way to go.

Oops, my bad! Stupid fingers early in the morning!