Sandisk releasing 60,120,240GB SSDs that are MBA compatible (SATA, 1.8", 5mm)

[glitch44]

Noticed that Sandisk announced at CES their new line of SSDs that are 2.5" and 1.8", 5mm. They're also claiming they're the equivalent to 40,000 RPM regular drives with speeds of 200MB/s read and 140MB/s write.

Listed prices of $149, $249 and $499 (although I don't know if that's the 2.5" or the 1.8" or both)

Gizmodo link

Sandisk 1.8" model link

 

[leez]

;D Yes, finally. Can't wait to upgrade my rev A

 

[Primejimbo]

Wow thats cheap

 

[andreab35]

I just saw the same thing on Engadget!
The 1.8, I was like, "Hey, perfect for an MBA!"
Hey, if we have to pay $500 extra for a 128GB SSD, why not 240GB for $500?

Sounds like a good deal to me for those who'd like to upgrade!

But I'm satisfied with my HDD. Maybe I'll consider it in the future.

 

[SFStateStudent]

Nice! Time to upgrade, rather than buying a new MBAir...

 

[pgharavi]

Couldn't you buy a stock Rev B (HDD), put this in there, thus saving you $500? Then you could also sell that HDD for a bit a money and save even more...

You could also simply put this in a Rev A, correct?

 

[justit]

Well kids, its a SATA-II maybe for a Rev B, NOT for a rev A which uses PATA-ZIF Interface.

 

[glitch44]

Well kids, its a SATA-II maybe for a Rev B, NOT for a rev A which uses PATA-ZIF Interface.

is SATA-II a spec speed change or an actual different connector? I'm confused by how LIF differs from regular SATA cables.

Sandisk is touting some their SSDs will be PATA to retrofit older laptops, but I suspect those will only be 2.5".

 

[justit]

some their SSDs will be PATA

my mistake, I didn't catch the PATA

Now if it were 2.5" couldn't we just cut a notch to make it poke outside?

 

[thewireman]

WHOA....

I thought it was the worlds biggest capacity..60,120,240GB! But never mind....

 

[ducatidoc]

dont forget to subtract the resale value of the 128 ssd (if you have one) from your upgrade cost.

it's likely that when these debut, used mba 128gb ssd's will still fetch great $$ on ebay.

 

[dukebound85]

WHOA....

I thought it was the worlds biggest capacity..60,120,240GB! But never mind....

lol thats what i thought first as well

 

[glitch44]

lol thats what i thought first as well

lol. sorry, trying to save space on the title.

 

[EnderTW]

These drives will not work. it needs to be SATA-LIF, no one makes sata lif, except for that special one for apple.

why did apple have to use LIF ugh

 

[NewGenAdam]

WHOA....

I thought it was the worlds biggest capacity..60,120,240GB! But never mind....

lol 60 petabyte SSD. Yes please ^^

Annoying that it's a sata connector, but fair enough. I'm reluctant to admit my Rev A has a retro HDD connector *cry*

 

[ant043]

well guys. Just a quick question. I bought applecare for the rev a Air. If i replace the hdd with an ssd, Have i lost the warranty. ? Could i just replace the hdd for the ssd if the air did need a repair. Would apple have any way of knowing i opened the computer ?

Thanks for any help

 

[Scottsdale]

These drives will not work. it needs to be SATA-LIF, no one makes sata lif, except for that special one for apple.

why did apple have to use LIF ugh

Question, what about for those who buy a MacBook Air rev B, HDD? I am just wondering what the connection is? SATA-II??? Or is it the LIF? Or, if do buy the SSD, getting the LIF, is there a way to convert it by eliminating and changing the cable??? Just wondering if any solutions exist. I looked for an LIF to SATA-II connector and did NOT find any. So, wondering if any solutions out there? Another thing noticed is that Toshiba/Hitachi ZIF/LIF cables are available for a USB enclosure. People are saying that works great with iPod drives, not SSDs but only made USB enclosure for Toshiba/Hitachi. So, are those the only two manufacturers of SSDs for Apple? Why did they have to go and use the LIF when nearly all SSDs do not have it? Seems a connector/adapter should be possible since all SATA-II??? For the version B MBA anyways.

I don't currently have a MacBook Air. I had the original version but sold it for $1650 the week before the new one was announced, great deal on my side (was the 1.6 w/80 GB HDD). Anyways, now I want to buy a version B MBA. So, I want to determine if I should pay Apple for the SSD or see if I can just buy a HDD and upgrade it to SSD on my own. Or, I would even buy the SSD in 128 GB and sell on eBay as noted. Then I would upgrade it to 240 GB SSD.

Thanks for any information or solution as I am sure a lot of us reading here want a way to upgrade to these for MBAs.

 

[EnderTW]

Question, what about for those who buy a MacBook Air rev B, HDD? I am just wondering what the connection is? SATA-II??? Or is it the LIF? Or, if do buy the SSD, getting the LIF, is there a way to convert it by eliminating and changing the cable??? Just wondering if any solutions exist. I looked for an LIF to SATA-II connector and did NOT find any. So, wondering if any solutions out there? Another thing noticed is that Toshiba/Hitachi ZIF/LIF cables are available for a USB enclosure. People are saying that works great with iPod drives, not SSDs but only made USB enclosure for Toshiba/Hitachi. So, are those the only two manufacturers of SSDs for Apple? Why did they have to go and use the LIF when nearly all SSDs do not have it? Seems a connector/adapter should be possible since all SATA-II??? For the version B MBA anyways.

I don't currently have a MacBook Air. I had the original version but sold it for $1650 the week before the new one was announced, great deal on my side (was the 1.6 w/80 GB HDD). Anyways, now I want to buy a version B MBA. So, I want to determine if I should pay Apple for the SSD or see if I can just buy a HDD and upgrade it to SSD on my own. Or, I would even buy the SSD in 128 GB and sell on eBay as noted. Then I would upgrade it to 240 GB SSD.

Thanks for any information or solution as I am sure a lot of us reading here want a way to upgrade to these for MBAs.

It's definitely SATA - LIF. Which is sad. No company does it and I don't think anyone would, since Apple is the only company using LIF in an ultra-portable.

This is one regret I have with my hd. I think the only SSD I'll be able to upgrade to is the Samsung model that is shipped with the other mbair.

I just hope Samsung releases it to OEM vendors so we can upgrade. If not, I think those who had purchased the HD version is stuck with that version.

 

[henk.honk]

It's definitely SATA - LIF.

has anyone a picture of the original sata-lif-connector of the new mba?

 

[BornAgainMac]

I guess I'll wait until Revision C.

 

[Doju]

Aww, so it won't work? God damn.

 

[EnderTW]

Here's hoping that some vendor like Samsung or Intel will release a 1.8 inch drive at 5mm height, with a SATA - LIF connector.

I'd venture to guess this will be impossible since 1.8 ssd's at 5mm is already a rarity, and then you throw in a whole new connection form factor.

PATA-ZIF is more common then SATAII/III-LIF.

 

[Scottsdale]

Here's hoping that some vendor like Samsung or Intel will release a 1.8 inch drive at 5mm height, with a SATA - LIF connector.

I'd venture to guess this will be impossible since 1.8 ssd's at 5mm is already a rarity, and then you throw in a whole new connection form factor.

PATA-ZIF is more common then SATAII/III-LIF.

So version A MBA has a better chance at upgrading with a retail SSD?

 

[glitch44]

So version A MBA has a better chance at upgrading with a retail SSD?

i would argue the opposite. almost no one is releasing the newer versions of SSDs (with the faster controllers) in PATA-ZIF. Only time will tell if we can find a SATA-LIF solution, but the faster Sandisk SSDs are definitely 5mm and definitely not PATA-ZIF.

 

[Hey Jude]

I am really feeling a lot better about getting the SSD model. It is a bummer, though, as it would have been nice to upgrade to a large size drive.

Jude