For me the one with the best results with least effort would be - Acronis True Image

I've used both Acronis and Genie... but nao I use Genie. I recommend it +++++

Does Acronis allow selective imaging now? As I'd think a full disk image isn't going to cut it here, since windows OEM keys (OEM windows won't activate on a different mobo from that it came with/was first installed to, unless you're lucky to get a very generous rep on the phone-in) and laptop drivers will vary.

As Jafo said, disk imaging is used for backing up the existing system or rolling out several workstations that all use the same hardware.  You can use tools built into windows like the files & settings transfer wizard, I've used it with some success.  But seriously, all you probably need to back up is the user's my documents folders, favorites folder, desktop shortcuts folders, if you use outlook, you want to go into the application data folder and copy the microsoft\outlook folder to copy over address book, ost files if necessary, personal address book & personal folder files (.pst) and then copy them over to the new system.  Installed software will need to be re-installed on the new machine.  Fairly simple processes even for those that are "dangerously lazy" - LOL!

Get 'er done!

There is a solution to the 'different mobo' but the extra steps would defeat the 'I'm dangerously lazy.' condition.

http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/support/kb/topics/Products/cid/184/articles/502/

Could you take the drive out of the new lappy and drop it in an enclosure and then take the HD from the old one and put it in th e new?  YOu might have to reactivate but that's super easy.

What I would do.....  (well not really.......I'm too OCD ....but we can pretend...hehe)

warning :  this may be too much work for some....

1.  Boot the new laptop, then install and run DriverMagician to extract and save the drivers for the new hardware to a self-installing .exe file and copy to a USB stick.

2.  Take the HD out of the new laptop and (assuming you have a notebook USB enclosure) place the new HD in said enclosure.

3.  Download, run and install DriveSnapshot on the old laptop and take a complete image of the old notebook while running Windows.

4.  Connect the new HD (now in a USB enclosure) to the old notebook via USB

5.  Run DriveSnapshot again and RESTORE the image to the newly connected new HD.

6.  Copy the self-extracting DriverMagician .EXE file from the USB stick to the newly imaged HD.

7.  Remove the new HD from the USB enclosure and re-install into new notebook.

8.  Boot, and run the driver self-extracting .EXE file to re-install all needed drivers.

9.  Reboot the system.

Should work like a charm.....      I'm sorry Brad......I couldn't shorten the steps any further......hehe

the Monk

I doubt that windows would even boot into safe mode if you did this because of the hardware differences.

Even if you then took out your install cd for the OS and attempted a repair, I doubt it would still work and if it did, "IF"... I'm sure it would be flaky.

- Just back up the personal stuff, my docs, favorites, desktop shortcuts, etc. and restore those on the new machine - that seriously would be the quickest way to go.  Yes you may have to re-install some software but it is least painful method.

Sorry for not getting to this sooner, but I wanted to test it before I said anything.  You need to prevent the BSOD that comes with moving the HD or image over.  Once done, you can just load up the new drivers.

1.  Boot up your original laptop.

2.  Go to your Hardware Settings and look up your IDE settings.  You'll have something like Primary IDE Channel, Secondary IDE Channel and VIA Bus Master IDE Controller.  Change all 3 drivers to Standard IDE Controller.  (You'll need to choose the driver from the list.  Don't let the OS auto detect it.)

3.  Move the HD or take an image of it and move it to the new laptop.

4.  Boot up and install the new drivers.

Well my philosophy on new drives has always been: backup and move over stuff you can think of. The rest you didn't need anyway if it didn't pop into your head to back up

Definitely fits the lazy thing...

Worked for me when I migrated from XP to Vista.

But then, that's just me.

And course you can't transfer applications and expect them to work, that's all install and OS registry.

Even so, it generally won't work if the hardware is too different.

Not reliably, anyway.

Cloning is more for building multiple computers with identical hardware specs, or as a backup for the current system.

I've found that the easiest way to move your stuff to a new machine is copy/paste.  That is of course if you've been keeping your personal files in a single, well organized location.  But you've been doing that, right? 

Settings from various programs is a different story.  I've tried a few software packages that claim to do this for you seamlessly, but none were compatible with all of the programs that I use.  But then again, since I'm re-installing those on the new machine from scratch, fiddling with their settings doesn't takes much longer.  Most have their own Export/Import Settings option anyways.

It usually doesn't take me more than 2 days to move to a brand new machine.  That includes a complete wipe of the Hard Drive to clear out the pre-installed crap, installation of Windows (and Ubuntu on a dual-boot) and all the software I use.