How to resolve frequent hangs and battery issues on a 2017 MacBook Pro, and sync data with a new MacBook Air M4?

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How to resolve frequent hangs and battery issues on a 2017 MacBook Pro, and sync data with a new MacBook Air M4?

I have a 2017 MBP which hangs often - I think because there is insufficient storage, original 128GB SSD which is not upgradable. Have resolved that problem partially by booting from an external SSD. Battery also reporting service needed so I will be getting a new battery for the 2017 MBP. Meanwhile, I have just bought a M4 MBA with 512GB SSD, which will be more than enough for me to no longer need an external SSD. My questions:

What can I do with the 2017 MBP? I am, of course hoping that the new battery will resolve the key issues. I am still concerned about the 'shutting down' regularly on its own. Anyone know whether it is because of the failing battery?
Should I use both the MBA and the MBP under the same account? How do I ensure both are synced? Do I need them to be synced?
How do I go about the above?

Thanks a lot.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Advice

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Nov 17, 2025 10:57 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 18, 2025 5:16 AM in response to siang-wee

You don't need to sync the two computers. You simply need to make a Time Machine backup of the data on the old one and then send the computer to be recycled. And you only need the backup if you haven't already copied your files off to your new MacBook.

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

It's probably unwise to spend time or resources trying to fix the old MBP or keep it running. It is, after all, almost nine years old and no longer supported. I can generally eke out ten years of service from a MacBook, but the last couple are never much fun. The constant hangs may be indicative of a drive that has not enough free space to run properly, and the shutting down could very well be related to the deficient battery.

As for the Apple Account - you will want to continue to use the same account on all of your devices. That Apple Account is a personal identifier for you, the user, that secures your activity and data across the myriad devices you may own and allows you to sync any of your data among those devices. That data includes App Store purchases and subscriptions, Find My device locations, Calendar and Contacts info and more.

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