MBA 1,1-6,2 [Resolved] MacBook Air 2012 m.2 SSD adapter

[arw]

Update: See Post #9 for the adapter I finally went with.

Hello,
I wanted to upgrade the SSD of my MacBook Air 2012 13".
I purchased a m.2 SATA SSD (WD Blue SA510) and a Sintech adapter.

Sintech M.2 NGFF SSD to 26Pin Adapter,for Upgrade SSD of 2012 Year MacBook Air

ST-M2A2012 M.2(NGFF) SATA KEY B+M SSD to 2012 MACBOOK Air adapter card as MD224 MD223 MD231 MD232 ssd is used to alow M.2 NGFF SSD replace SSD of 2012 MACBOOK Air MD224 MD223 MD231 MD232. 1. can replace the following SSD models from 2012 MACBOOK Air MD224 MD223 MD231 MD232: SSD: toshiba THNSNS064...

www.amazon.com

But the socket on the adapter I received is far too thick so it sticks out over all the other components of the MacBook and the bottom case can only be installed with moderate force (which I then aborted).

Apparently there are adapters with half the height of the socket which should have been soldered onto this adapter for the MacBook Air.
Any recommendations towards such one?
The one below has comments it did not work but perhaps the buyers tried NVMe SSDs instead of SATA ones. Or in a wrong MacBook model. At least one photo shows the SSD installed upside down.

Adapterkarte, SSD-Riser-Karte, 6 Gbit/s für 2012 Solid-State-Festplatten-Riser-Karte A1465 A1466

Adapterkarte, SSD-Riser-Karte, 6 Gbit/s für 2012 Solid-State-Festplatten-Riser-Karte A1465 A1466

www.amazon.de

As I already have the SSD, I favor an adapter instead of an SSD with the Apple connector.

 

[TheShortTimer]

It doesn't have to be a Sintech adapter - I used a cheap clone from eBay with an M.2 SATA SSD.

I didn't experience this problem, though. @DCBassman is this similar to what you dealt with recently?

 

[DCBassman]

It doesn't have to be a Sintech adapter - I used a cheap clone from eBay with an M.2 SATA SSD.

I didn't experience this problem, though. @DCBassman is this similar to what you dealt with recently?

It is. I managed a more reasonable, though not perfect, fit by removing the SSD securing screw and managing to push the edge of the SSD down that securing post so that it touches the adapter PCB. This let the case fit with only slight pressure. I'll try and take a pucture later. I used a WD SSD, not that this should make a difference.

 

[arw]

Thanks to both of you!
Ok, apparently I missed it during my search but there is a 2nd Sintech adapter that is sold by Amazon US worldwide.
While not cheap, it looks like it is significantly less bulky as the connector is located in the middle of the PCB instead of on top. I will order this one.

Sintech M.2 SATA SSD 24Pin Card,Compatible for SSD of 2012 Year MacBook Air (Only Fit 2280 M.2)

ST-M2A2012 M.2(NGFF) SATA KEY B+M SSD to 2012 MACBOOK Air adapter card as MD224 MD223 MD231 MD232 ssd is used to alow M.2 NGFF SSD replace SSD of 2012 MACBOOK Air MD224 MD223 MD231 MD232. 1. can replace the following SSD models from 2012 MACBOOK Air MD224 MD223 MD231 MD232: SSD: toshiba THNSNS064...

www.amazon.com

Mac SSD adapters - hopefully comprehensive view

CORRECTIONS WELCOMED, ALL ERRORS ARE MINE, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK... etc. (links to Amazon, etc, are for information purposes only - none of them is an affiliate link) I started looking at this when considering a non-Apple SSD upgrade for my rMPB 11,1 and 11,4 - and went down the rabbit hole. I...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[TheShortTimer]

You're welcome.

Is there a particular preference for the Sintech adapter? The clones are identical, far cheaper and equally reliable.

 

[arw]

Is there a particular preference for the Sintech adapter? The clones are identical, far cheaper and equally reliable.

Absolutely not as there is no electronics involved.
I just have not found a similar model that has the connector in the middle. Only with the socket on top which I want to avoid for my second purchase. As the existing one extrudes so much, I'd like to play it safe.

 

[rampancy]

I'm truly puzzled by this. Did the designers not try to do a fit check with a real MacBook Air before releasing this product?

 

[arw]

I'm truly puzzled by this. Did the designers not try to do a fit check with a real MacBook Air before releasing this product?

I initially wanted to come to their defence that they probably ran out of sockets with lower height and simply didn't think the change through. It's a 12 year old device after all so perhaps they already got rid of their testing model to catch the issue.
But then the manufacturer responded to the images from above that I must have installed the adapter incorrectly if something sticks out. And that I'm using a NVMe SSD instead of a SATA one... Aehm, ok, you be the judge of that.
I guess they simply don't care about the force it takes to screw the bottom cover back and what effects it has on the motherboard.

As stupid as it sounds, this MacBook is far too precious to me to put unnecessary physical strain on its internal components and risk a premature failure.

 

[arw]

Ok, quick update: After a delayed and lost shipment, the 'low-profile' Sintech adapter finally arrived today.
It fits as flush as one could only imagine.
This makes the active distribution of the other 'extruding' adapter even more inexplicable.

It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AM411FQ

 

[rampancy]

I'm going to have to bookmark this thread for future reference. I can totally see it being way too easy for folks to order the "wrong" adapter for their MacBook Air.