You can make a bootable duplicate of your current system using Carbon Copy Cloner, which I recommend enthusiastically. Much better than just drag copying.
I bit the bullet a couple of years ago and upgraded to 10.9 after I found TotalSpaces2 (yes, using a grid instead of a line for desktops is important to me.) but I kept a copy of the old system on a bootable partition of the new machine's disk. It worked like a charm the one time I've needed it so far. Ditto for the external disk copy I made; I've used it to boot machines having problems, so CCC works.
Differences between 10.6.8 and 10.9 have been few, and nothing so far I haven't been able to find a work around for. As far as individual apps, I'm still running an older version of iTunes when I upgraded to it, it quietly trashed the cover art I had scrounged or scanned where gracenote lacked it. Now I only use iTunes for ripping; if I want to play or reorganize I use Clementine.
10.10 and especially 10.11 haven't offered anything I need or want so far, and especially with 11 some clear disincentives. I'm experimenting with different Linux distros to see if I think they're a reasonable replacement for MacOS. So far, in a pinch, sure, but I'm not ready to abandon the Apple boat (which I've been on since 1979) quite yet.
Good luck with the new machine. I hope it turns out to be a painless experience for you and look forward to hearing how you like it.
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I bit the bullet a couple of years ago and upgraded to 10.9 after I found TotalSpaces2 (yes, using a grid instead of a line for desktops is important to me.) but I kept a copy of the old system on a bootable partition of the new machine's disk. It worked like a charm the one time I've needed it so far. Ditto for the external disk copy I made; I've used it to boot machines having problems, so CCC works.
Differences between 10.6.8 and 10.9 have been few, and nothing so far I haven't been able to find a work around for. As far as individual apps, I'm still running an older version of iTunes when I upgraded to it, it quietly trashed the cover art I had scrounged or scanned where gracenote lacked it. Now I only use iTunes for ripping; if I want to play or reorganize I use Clementine.
10.10 and especially 10.11 haven't offered anything I need or want so far, and especially with 11 some clear disincentives. I'm experimenting with different Linux distros to see if I think they're a reasonable replacement for MacOS. So far, in a pinch, sure, but I'm not ready to abandon the Apple boat (which I've been on since 1979) quite yet.
Good luck with the new machine. I hope it turns out to be a painless experience for you and look forward to hearing how you like it.