If you have two macintosh — for instance , a background and a laptop — you may often find yourself transferring files from one to the other as you prepare to head off to employment or school . You may also require to institutionalise files to supporter or colleagues , and , in some cases , single file size of it could make this difficult . Here are nine ways you could channelise files from one Mac to another .
1. Try e-mail
The first , and easiest , way to mail files is to employ atomic number 99 - mail . This will probably ferment for the majority of files you need to post to others , and can even work for transferring files to another Mac you own . Just sum up attachments to eastward - mail messages and commit them . If you have an IMAP invoice , institutionalise a file to yourself , and it ’ll show up in your inbox on both of your Macs . learn out , though ; atomic number 99 - mail attachment sizes are usually special . Many Internet Service Providers ( ISPs ) circumscribe them to 10 MB , though Apple ’s MobileMe will consent up to 20 MB .
2. Use file-sharing
On both Macs , open System Preferences , select Sharing , and then enable File Sharing . When you open a Finder window on either Mac , the other should now seem in the Shared plane section of the Finder sidebar . select the computer ’s name , enter a exploiter name and countersign ( if you have history on both Macs ) , or link up as a guest . Now you’re able to put filing cabinet in the Drop Box booklet inside a exploiter ’s Public pamphlet . There ’s no sizing boundary , but for really large files , transcript time will depend on how tight your meshwork is .
When File Sharing is turn on , you’re able to sink files into a Mac ’s Public Folder .
3. Use a shared disk
If you have an AirPort Extreme base station , or Apple ’s Time Capsule , you could connect a heavy disk to the devices ’ USB ports . Set this up as a partake in disk in the AirPort Utility ( in your /Applications / utility booklet ) , and you ’ll be capable to see it in the Shared plane section of the Finder sidebar . imitate any file you want to that disc — you may want to make folders for different users , if you have several — and others can get the files whenever they desire ; their computers do n’t have to be on at the same time as they do with filing cabinet sharing .
If you have an AirPort Extreme understructure station or Time Capsule , you may coif it up as a shared disk for easy filing cabinet transfers .
4. Use iChat file transfer
Drag a filing cabinet onto a soul ’s name in your iChat Buddy List to send a file .
If both Macs have Apple ’s iChat configure , just retrieve the name of the soul in your iChat Buddy List , and draw the file or folder onto his or her name . The person must dawn to bear the transfer ; the files will go decent to the other Mac in a jiffy . If you want to get off a file to someone in your home or function , and the other user or Mac does n’t have an iChat account , make certain that Bonjour is enabled in both Macs ’ iChat ’s Accounts preferences . ( Apple ’s Bonjour organisation detects users on a local internet . ) Once it is , display a list of available user by choosing Window - > Bonjour List , and drag a file onto a user ’s name .
5. Sync with Dropbox
If you often figure out on two mackintosh , get a free Dropbox account statement and synchronise your Dropbox between those two computer . Put the files you ’ll need on the road in your Dropbox folder on your background Mac , and you ’ll find them in the Dropbox folder on your laptop . In addition , you may enter the same files from the Dropbox web land site if you need to .
6. Send files to others via Dropbox
It ’s easy to use the Dropbox service to transfer a data file to a friend or colleague . WhileDropbox ( ) makes it light to sync single file across Macs , you’re able to also use this service to send files from one Mac to any other user . Look inside your Dropbox folder and find oneself the Public brochure . Put a file in that folder , then right - click ( or Control - click ) on it and choose Dropbox - > Copy Public Link . Once the file cabinet has synced to the Dropbox waiter , you’re able to send that link to anyone to allow them to download a copy of it .
7. Use MobileMe sharing
If you have a MobileMe account , you’re able to put files into your iDisk , either from the Finder or via a Web port . Then , get at the iDisk from the Finder - > Go - > iDisk . Choose My iDisk from this menu , if you ’re accessing your own iDisk on another Mac , or choose Other User ’s Public Folder , if you ’re access files from another user ’s iDisk .
instead , you may use theMobileMe Website . Sign in and then add files or find Indian file you ’ve already put in your Public leaflet . select a file to choose it , and then tick on Share File . you could either send an e - mail directly to others , or get a public link that you could transmit them . You ’re limited to 1 GB per file , though .
Bonus tipIf you do n’t have MobileMe — or need to place a filing cabinet that exceeds MobileMe ’s limits — you could apply other Web services such as YouSendIt . A freeYouSendItaccount lets you partake in files of up to 100 MB . ( transmit larger files using a pay chronicle . ) You upload the file cabinet via the YouSendIt vane interface , and then institutionalize e - mails with links to exploiter , who can download the file whenever they want .
When File Sharing is turned on, you can drop files into a Mac’s Public Folder.
8. Burn CDs or DVDs
Do you have a fortune of files ? The old - fashioned method acting might be best . sting a CD or videodisc with the file and mail them or reach them to the citizenry who ask them . In the Finder , choose filing cabinet - > New Burn Folder . tangle your files into the booklet and then click Burn . This is n’t useful if you ’re imitate file to another Mac you own , but it can be a skilful way to give a number of masses the same files ; just burn several copy of the phonograph recording .
9. Use a sneaker-net
LaCie ’s CooKey ovolo driveWhen all else fails , or when you have a huge amount of file to reassign , sneaker - net profit — using an external hard magnetic disc , or a USB pollex drive — may be the best solution . link up the disc to one Mac , copy the files to it , then unmount it and join it to the other Mac . If you ’re copy , say , tens of gigabytes of euphony or telecasting files from one Mac to another , this is in all probability the fastest method .
Senior contributor Kirk McElhearn writes about more than just Macs on his blogKirkville . Twitter:@mcelhearnKirk ’s latest record book isTake Control of iTunes 10 : The FAQ .
If you have an AirPort Extreme base station or Time Capsule, you can set it up as a shared disk for easy file transfers.
Drag a file onto a person’s name in your iChat Buddy List to send a file.
It’s easy to use the Dropbox service to transfer a file to a friend or colleague.
LaCie’s CooKey thumb drive
