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If I migrate to a new Mac using Migration Assistant, when it prompts about connecting a source disk, is using a fresh Time Machine backup equivalent to using my old Mac in target disk mode?

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Yes and no. Let me explain.

Yes if you do it manually in the sense you're just copying the data manually from your Time Machine backup.

No if you do it via the installation process or if you do it afterwards using the Migration Assistant app (usually found in your Utilities folder). It's also a 'No' if you use the restore options built into Time Machine itself.

One of the advantages of migrating from a Time Machine backup is that you can easily migrate your applications etc instead of having to reinstall them again. Another great advantage is that some of your hidden data gets transferred across - so you're not having to manually delve deeply to find things such as your email data.

Regardless of how you choose to migrate your data, once you're done I would strongly recommend you use Time Machine as part of your backup regime.

For more information you can refer to:

[EDIT]

If you're intending to use Migration Assistant and selecting between transferring your data from a TM backup or from your old Mac, then it's effectively the same thing in terms of what Migration Assistant is doing. The only difference is the source it's connected to, but since the TM backup is a backup of the old Mac, the data being transferred is the same.

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  • Sorry, but how you edited my question changed it to something other than what was asking. I've edited it again to try and clarify. In both cases, I would use Migration Assistant, but in one, I use a Time Machine backup, in the other, I put the old Mac in Firewire target disk mode, or connected via ethernet cable.
    – iwantmyphd
    May 19, 2017 at 2:38
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    Oh, I see what you're asking. In that case, assuming the fresh Time Machine backup is from your old Mac, then it's effectively the same thing in terms of what Migration Assistant is doing. The only difference is the source it's connected to, but since the TM backup is a backup of the old Mac, the data being transferred is the same.
    – Monomeeth ♦
    May 19, 2017 at 2:42
  • I suppose though, if connecting your old Mac via Target Disk Mode results in a faster connection (depends on your setup), then this could save some time if your TM backup is on a slower drive/connection.
    – Monomeeth ♦
    May 19, 2017 at 2:44
  • One additional note: Do the migration at the initial setup. If you do it later you'll end up with two accounts.
    – Tetsujin
    May 19, 2017 at 5:18
  • "One of the advantages of migrating from a Time Machine backup is that you can easily migrate your applications etc instead of having to reinstall them again" --Isnt cloning (migration assistant) also do the same? cloning of whole disk using migration assistant will clone applications as well right?
    – firstpostcommenter
    Jun 1, 2020 at 17:27

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