Basic question but want to check
 

Hi. I have been using SD for years now and backup my MacBookPro about once a month to an external HD. I am not a fan of Time Machine.
At present, I am using my Pro like a CPU with an external monitor (nothing to do with my question).
I am planning on buying a new AirBook for traveling. It will come with Lion which I have installed on my Pro as well.
Can I just copy files and programs from my external HD backup to the new AirBook?
Want to check before I stick my foot in it.
Thanks.

Not as such. See the FAQ (Help > Frequently Asked Questions) about "I have a New Mac..."

Thanks for the quick reply. Now I get the process.

However, I do not want everything on my old Mac on my new Mac; just certain files and programs. Stuff I plan to use for traveling.

Does that thread imply I will load my whole old Mac on to the new Mac? Then I would have to go through the new Mac and delete a whole lot of unwanted stuff. That's what I want to avoid.

Thanks again.

If you don't want to migrate (which I still recommend), you can copy files, but applications will have to be reinstalled for the most part.