I am switching from a G5 PPC to a MacPro. Can I just pop the G5 boot HD into the MacPro, then perform a Software Update? Or is it preferable to move across using Migration Assistant?
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Use Migration Assistant as you're moving from PPC to Intel-based. Or, swap the physical drives and (re)install Snow Leopard onto the drive once installed in the Mac Pro straight after.
Migration Assistant is the fail safe method.
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Migration Assistant is the way to go; in fact it's essentially the only way. The Intel MacPro won't boot from a G5-centric drive; the installed software is different because the two processors are very different architectures.
However, were it me, I would do what amounts to both. Have the G5 drive's data in the MacPro (there's plenty of room for another drive) after you do a migration. Either buy an inexpensive SATA drive to sell the G5 with after a clean install and install the G5 drive in a second drive slot, or copy the G5 data to a new second drive in the MacPro.
I prefer that because not everything you may need will necessarily be copied to the MacPro via migration assistant, especially when it comes to non-Apple software. Some apps, believe it or not, hide stuff in non-standard locations.
You can then use the MacPro knowing that some obscure file will still be there somewhere, if you find you need it. Eventually you may want to wipe the old G5 drive in the MacPro, but give yourself some time to be sure you have everything you need on the new machine. You only miss data when it's gone.
would migration assistant be able to copy over PPC applications to an intel system (i.e. would they still work? i guess if they were fat universal versions they would.. but if not it'd be better to re-install)
Thnks guys. The G5 already has two drives so I'll migrate first, then move the G5 boot to to the MacPro tower as a back-up. Perfect!
Even faster, first physically install the G5 drive in the MacPro as the second drive, and then migrate.
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would migration assistant be able to copy over PPC applications to an intel system (i.e. would they still work? i guess if they were fat universal versions they would.. but if not it'd be better to re-install)
It will copy the apps over, but no guarantee whether or how well they will work. Planning on reinstalling is usually a good idea when changing platforms, although migrating the apps first may help in preserving personal settings, third party plugins, etc.
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