Quick Answer:
Think about what you actually use and need and only install those on the new laptop, from their original installation disc or wherever you have them.

Long Answer:  Not responsible if you get a headache reading things.

Making a copy/Backup of Regular Data/Documents vs Installed Programs are two different things.

Data/Documents in most cases do not rely on other data and can be moved around without any consequence.  Unless its something like an excel spreadsheet that has dependencies to another file etc..

Installed Programs in general cannot be moved/copied and althought there are some exception to the rule, they are not recommended.    When a program is installed there are 3 or 4 locations where certain files are copied.

First Place:   c:program filesprogram name  This is where the core of the files are installed.

Second Place: c:windows  or c:winnt  this is where your operating system is installed and depending on the program, certain API's or other modules might be installed here which integrate with your operation system.

Third Place: Windows Registry, this in the simplest form is an index of all sorts of things and one of them being information such as where the program is installed and registration information for components that were installed with said software.

Fourth Place:  Some software companys like to hide files right in your Main Root by default windows does not display Hidden/System files.   This is done for many reasons and licensing is one of them.  So attempting to move an installed program, may invalidate your license or simply will not work because of the previous Steps 2 and 3.

Regarding Imaging/Cloning.   Imaging is a carbon copy of everyting that is installed on your PC.

When cloning from one PC to another PC it is prefered that the destination PC has the same hardware as the source PC.  Which is why Imaging/Cloning is a handy tool for I.T./Companys to save time on deploying new PC's.

If the hardware is different than, there will be some unexpected results, i.e.  Microsoft Home Edition will need to be re-activated and will require a call to Microsoft..  If thats not annoying enough, Windows will detect all the new hardware including your new motherboard, and now you will endup with a dirty installation of windows.  If you go into your Device Manager and take a look, you may need to find new drivers and even if everything looks normal, they wont.  Try rebooting into SafeMode and take a look at your device manager and to your horror you will find that in fact windows has multiple instances of Mouse/Graphics/USB Drivers.

If you've read this far.. than you are probably either confused....Got a Headache or wished you just took my Quick Answer advice.