Access to old macbook files on new mac?

Solution 1:

The two most frequently recommended tools for creating images on macs are:

SuperDuper: https://shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper CarbonCopyCloner: https://bombich.com/

Both will image the mac and convert it to a single image file you can store.

You could also just connect the two machines and put the old one in Target Disk Mode: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac

Then you can copy the files off, or generate an image. Disk Utility can generate an image from a folder, so you could select the drive on the old mac and image it.