How can I download the blockchain from own, trusted source? I have two computers with two different bitcoin-qt wallets:


Very heavy-weight desktop with a great internet connection.
Less powerful laptop with relatively slow internet.


I would like to download AND validate the blockchain only on the desktop. I can trust that blockchain to contain only valid data because it actually validates the input and it is a source under my control. So I figure I don't need to do the same for the laptop. How can I syncronize the blockchain on the laptop? Could I rsync the chainstate, blocks, and database directories for instance? And then I rescan on my laptop and we should be good to go! Would this work?
If you copy the blocks/ and chainstate/ directory, you're good to go. Rescanning the wallet will happen automatically. The database/ directory only contains temporary data.

You should make sure to shut down the node on your desktop before copying though, or the copy may be inconsistent.