Cloning New laptop

Hello,
I have a T30 Thinkpad with XP Pro and a bunch of other software. I'm getting a SL500 Thinkpad with Vista loaded, but Lenova will include a XP Pro disc with the new machine(I'm still not ready for Vista). However, can I just clone everything I have on the old T30 onto the new SL500(including the OS)? Also, if I want to pick and choose what software I want to add to the new machine -- can I do that? I was thinking of using "Acronis" unless there is a much better cloning software? I keep thinking that there's a lot of stuff I don't use and that having editing capability is important. I do have all my files on an external hard drive. Any suggestions will be helpful
Thanks, Jeff

 

Cloning between two different machines makes me nervous because of hardware dependencies etc. You might be better off with a "migration" product (Acronis has one called Migrate Easy).

I do migration the hard way (reinstalling applications that need installation, and copying ones that don't) so that I know my machine has just what I need. I try to follow the rule of installing software only if I need to use it (rather than installing because I think I will use it); this saves a lot of time and my new systems are a lot cleaner.

 

You might get away with an image using Windows XP repair install (I have done this in the past). You won't be able to pick and choose with this method.
I think jdean is correct, though.
A clean install is the best way.

 

Why create your own bloatware? A new machine is a great reason to do some serious house cleaning. If, however, I have difficulty in locating certain software discs, is it possible to burn a disc from my old machine?(even with some Microsoft products?)

JB

 

I doubt it would work. Most lappys have a propietary windows, tailred to themselves- things like HD or mobo tattoos, to prevent exactly this sort of thing.