Anyone using time machine to backup their macs? Will it backup my dot files, brew packages, apps and their configs etc too? If I restore time machine backup on a new Mac it will function exactly same as I left off at my old Mac during the last backup?

When I switched macs, I had TM backup my previous mac and I remember it did restore everything like this post says. But it was a year ago, so not a 100% sure - but I think it does (if this helps 🤷 ) https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/82788/59800

that does help. Thanks Saurabh :) which portable hard drive are you using though? Any suggestions?

@strong-evening-37474 i think it will backup everything in your user folder... so as long as you have eevrything there time machine will copy then over to your drive

I'd recommend getting an external SSD instead of an HDD. When I had a mac; it used to slow down a lot the moment my time machine backup hardisk was plugged in. Late 2015 13" Retina Macbook Pro, not sure if newer generations have the same performance drops.. Also, having an SSD with no moving parts just helps ensure your backups are safe. Hardisks tend to start malfunctioning if they're dropped. Personal experience, YMMV

@strong-evening-37474 I just have a WD Elements 1 TB portable HDD — unsure whether it is an SSD. Considering it is from years ago, I doubt it. But should not matter. It just takes time. I backup once ever 2 weeks and it usually takes about an hour. First backup though might take the entire day .. Though my memory betrays me

got it. Thank you guys 🤗