One of the things that has always surprised me about the Mac web is that computer migration doesn’t get more press. The ease with which you can move files and identities on Mac OS X is astounding, simply astounding. There’s just no way around that. When I think of how hard it used to be in Mac OS Classic, I picture my dad mowing the yard with that motorless rotary push mower. It’s archaic. Nay! Barbaric!

And brothers and sisters, don’t even get me started on what has to be done on the PC. Is there software out there that helps? I imagine there must be, but I’ve worked with people who have passed up significant computer upgrades at the office simply because the don’t want to deal with the hassle of copying files, reinstalling software, transferring their web and e-mail accounts, and losing their Minesweeper scores.

Yes, it’s true you actually have to do that on the PC (or get your IT department to do it for you). On the Mac, it’s as simple as connecting your new computer to your old with a Firewire cable, and…

Uh, wait. What did I just say? What kind of cable? Oh. Okay, well, it’s at times like this that I like to quote my favorite philosopher, Charlie Brown:

“Aaarrrgh!”

For many people, especially hardcore video editors, Apple’s decision to put no FireWire port in the new MacBook came as disappointing—and, in some cases, deal breaking—news.However, Pixela wants to help ease this pain for these MacBook users…eventually. Here’s what I mean. Pixela currently offers a FireWire to USB 2.0 DV Transfer Cable at their site more »

Ranier Brockerhoff gives an extensive analysis of the guts of the new Macbook, the changes Apple made, and why they made them (or at least, the apparent benefits of the changes they made). His conclusion? It was a choice between the Firewire 400 port and another (unpowered) USB 2.0 port, and Apple figured that more people wanted the latter. In the Macbook Pro, the 800 port was included because not only can it handle legacy peripherals through an adapter, the form factor is planned for use in the next two Firewire iterations.

One of the common complaints (especially from me) was the lack of a Target Disk Mode, making disc migration a pain. Brockerhoff brings up an interesting point: the new Macbook makes it easier for technicians to access and replace the hard drive.