Is it possible to have two computers that save to iCloud independently with the same Apple ID? I have a MacBook Air 8GB, 128GB and I just bought a MacBook Pro 16GB, 1TB which I have signed into with the same Apple ID.

I have Air dropped two files to the Pro but everything from the Air seems to have transferred to the Pro.

I set the Pro up as a clean start but didn't realise that they were linked until I sent things to the bin and found they disappeared from the Air too.

I wanted to keep the two desktops different. Is this possible? If so, can you please tell me what I missed when I set the Pro up as a new without backing up.
The answer to your question is "no". It's not possible to have two computers, both using the same Apple ID, to save files or data to two independent instances of iCloud storage.

However, there may be more to your question. "iCloud" consists of several different features, including iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, Contacts and Calendar sync, etc. You noted that "everything from the Air seems to have transferred to the Pro" and "I wanted to keep the two desktops different". It sounds like you are talking about the "Desktop and Documents" feature of iCloud. This syncs your Documents folder and your Desktop between devices, and it can be controlled independently of the other iCloud features. To turn it off:


Go to System Preferences > iCloud
Click the "Options" button next to "iCloud Drive"
Uncheck the "Desktop &amp; Documents Folders" box
Optionally, uncheck any other app that you don't want to use or sync with iCloud


In this way, you can still have benefits of iCloud, such as Calendar and Contact sync, Mac App Store purchases, and a shared iCloud Drive space for files and selected apps, without having your Documents and Desktop folders synced. If you don't want any of those things, just sign out of iCloud on your new device, create a separate Apple ID, and sign in with that.