How to expand 13" storage by 32GB (Flush)

LeakedDave · 08:20 PM

I was working on a little project, getting more storage into the MacBook Air.

The 13" MacBook Air has the SD Card slot, as you all know. When I bought it I thought I'd just pop a 32GB SD in it permanently and leave it there. However, to my surprise, it stuck out half way and this killed the purpose.

So I did some googling around for a while and couldn't figure anything out. There was another topic on here that said to get a Micro SD / USB / SD card adapter and cut the USB half off and it would fit flush and use a Micro SD card with it. This sounded like a good idea however the OCX card they were looking for was out of stock everywhere, nowhere to be found.

And then I found an alternative on eBay from Norcent.

Step 1.

Buy this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_1971wt_1156

It's $8.

Step 2.

Buy a 32GB Micro SD. I got a Lexor 32GB Class 10 from Amazon for 90$ however you can get a class 4 for around $50.

Or get a 16GB if that's all you need.

Step 3.
Cut the USB end off the Norcent adapter. With scissors. And maybe sand it down to make it smooth if needed.

Step 4.
Put the Micro SD card in the Norcent adapter.

Step 5.
Put the Norcent adapter in your SD card slot.

You will need Tweezers to remove it, but it fits flush and is great for some extra permanent storage for those of you that might run low especially with the 128GB SSD.

And yes, I've done this, and it works. Supports SD, SDHC, etc. My Lexor 32GB Class 10 works like a champ.

WilliamG · Aug 5, 2011, 07:29 PM

Nice post.

mac jones · Aug 5, 2011, 07:32 PM

Thanks for that.

The Elago USB adapter is good, but not flush (but more secure than a protruding SD card.

note: maybe super glue a little flexible tab on it for removal? (could always undo that mod, I would think). - I'd hate to have to try to get it out in a hurry without a pull tab

( now if they just would jump on the thunderbolt wagon we really would be rockin

)

WilliamG · Aug 5, 2011, 07:36 PM

Just ordered one. Can figure out which MicroSD card to get after my MBA gets here.

KylePowers · Aug 5, 2011, 07:37 PM

Nice.

I've been thinking of ways to expand my 11" storage (aside from throwing in a bigger SSD), so obviously the only option is via USB. There are some pretty neat ones the size of Logitech RF Adapters (for example) that don't particularly protrude that much... which are really just tiny Micro SD adapters with Micro SD cards in the USB plug. Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820235063

This could be an option for 13in owners as well, if they don't want to bother chopping up an SD card. Again, it's not flush, but it's a tradeoff for ease of use, I'd say.

IngerMan · Aug 5, 2011, 07:39 PM

Could you please take a picture with it installed and post it.

newdeal · Aug 5, 2011, 07:40 PM

what is the speed though? I have to assume it would be horribly slow for bootcamp

mac jones · Aug 5, 2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newdeal

what is the speed though? I have to assume it would be horribly slow for bootcamp

Don't even think about it

LeakedDave · 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IngerMan

Could you please take a picture with it installed and post it.

IngerMan · Aug 5, 2011, 08:16 PM

Sweet, Thank you

penguintri · Aug 5, 2011, 08:17 PM

Would love to buy one, but it's a shame they don't ship to the UK!

mac jones · Aug 5, 2011, 08:20 PM

Well there was 133. Now there is 130

hmm, three people here say they bought one (myself included).....let's see, this math says, i'm short 2 trillion. Ooops

technopimp · Aug 5, 2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KylePowers

Nice.

I've been thinking of ways to expand my 11" storage (aside from throwing in a bigger SSD), so obviously the only option is via USB. There are some pretty neat ones the size of Logitech RF Adapters (for example) that don't particularly protrude that much... which are really just tiny Micro SD adapters with Micro SD cards in the USB plug. Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820235063

This could be an option for 13in owners as well, if they don't want to bother chopping up an SD card. Again, it's not flush, but it's a tradeoff for ease of use, I'd say.

I have one of these (well, not that exact model but the same thing) and just wanted to warn you that just having it plugged in with an SDHC card (no activity, just plugged in) dropped my battery life on my 13" Air by nearly an hour. Well, I should say that it APPEARED to make it drop by an hour or so. I didn't do anything different with the laptop (same activities, etc.) and my battery life went down by an hour. So, that's as scientific as I can get right now. I'm going to do some more testing, but just wanted to throw that out there.

runtohell121 · Aug 5, 2011, 09:05 PM

Here's 2 USB I have that I use for my MacBook Air 11

First one

Second one

Both micro sdhc card reader is using a Sandisk 32gb Class 4 Micro SDHC.

sloan47 · Aug 5, 2011, 09:56 PM

Hmm... not bad at all. It's going to be dirt slow, but not bad for storing my iTunes library.

macbookpro45 · Aug 5, 2011, 10:39 PM

wow great idea

ttran88 · Aug 6, 2011, 04:45 AM

Great thanks. I have a 32 gb lexar class 10 laying around and I can use that for my itunes library in it. Then use the space that my library use to take and make it my bootcamp partition.

LeakedDave · Aug 6, 2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttran88

Great thanks. I have a 32 gb lexar class 10 laying around and I can use that for my itunes library in it. Then use the space that my library use to take and make it my bootcamp partition.

Definitely sounds like a good idea for storing iTunes

sprockett · Aug 7, 2011, 08:59 AM

interested to see how this affects battery life, but thanks for the tip bro.

LeakedDave · Aug 7, 2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprockett

interested to see how this affects battery life, but thanks for the tip bro.

Haven't noticed a difference.

legends74 · Aug 11, 2011, 11:14 AM

I know I must be missing something, but why not just plug the SD card directly into the slot on the MBA rather than trim a microSD USB adapter?

jsolares · Aug 11, 2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends74

I know I must be missing something, but why not just plug the SD card directly into the slot on the MBA rather than trim a microSD USB adapter?

Because it's not flush

ZipZap · Aug 11, 2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeakedDave

Image

How about a pic of the cut unit. To be sure.

gihad · Aug 15, 2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeakedDave

Image

And yes, I've done this, and it works. Supports SD, SDHC, etc. My Lexor 32GB Class 10 works like a champ.

Dave, this is the best solution I've seen so far.

Could you do us a favor and run "Disk speed test" on your Micro SD ? It's an app from the Mac App Store.

I'm concerned that the micro sd adapter or the SD interface in the MBA could limit the speed of your Class 10 Micro SD card.

thanks.

LeakedDave · 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gihad

Dave, this is the best solution I've seen so far.

Could you do us a favor and run "Disk speed test" on your Micro SD ? It's an app from the Mac App Store.

I'm concerned that the micro sd adapter or the SD interface in the MBA could limit the speed of your Class 10 Micro SD card.

thanks.

I'm going to assume around 10mbs on both the read and write but I'll run this app in the morning.

As for the disk speed test I'm getting 9.6 mb/s write and 15.6 mb/s read.

Aug 5, 2011, 07:13 PM	#1
LeakedDave macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2011	How to expand 13" storage by 32GB (Flush) I was working on a little project, getting more storage into the MacBook Air. The 13" MacBook Air has the SD Card slot, as you all know. When I bought it I thought I'd just pop a 32GB SD in it permanently and leave it there. However, to my surprise, it stuck out half way and this killed the purpose. So I did some googling around for a while and couldn't figure anything out. There was another topic on here that said to get a Micro SD / USB / SD card adapter and cut the USB half off and it would fit flush and use a Micro SD card with it. This sounded like a good idea however the OCX card they were looking for was out of stock everywhere, nowhere to be found. And then I found an alternative on eBay from Norcent. Step 1. Buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_1971wt_1156 It's $8. Step 2. Buy a 32GB Micro SD. I got a Lexor 32GB Class 10 from Amazon for 90$ however you can get a class 4 for around $50. Or get a 16GB if that's all you need. Step 3. Cut the USB end off the Norcent adapter. With scissors. And maybe sand it down to make it smooth if needed. Step 4. Put the Micro SD card in the Norcent adapter. Step 5. Put the Norcent adapter in your SD card slot. You will need Tweezers to remove it, but it fits flush and is great for some extra permanent storage for those of you that might run low especially with the 128GB SSD. And yes, I've done this, and it works. Supports SD, SDHC, etc. My Lexor 32GB Class 10 works like a champ. Last edited by LeakedDave; Aug 5, 2011 at 08:20 PM.
	10

Aug 5, 2011, 07:29 PM	#2
WilliamG macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seattle	Nice post. __________________ iMac, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad, iPhone, 55-11 www.bighugenerd.com
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 07:36 PM	#4
WilliamG macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seattle	Just ordered one. Can figure out which MicroSD card to get after my MBA gets here. __________________ iMac, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad, iPhone, 55-11 www.bighugenerd.com
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 07:39 PM	#6
IngerMan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY.	Could you please take a picture with it installed and post it. __________________ MBP 15" Quad \| iPad 4G \| iMac 20" C2D \| iPhone 4S \| TV2
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 07:40 PM	#7
newdeal macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2009	... what is the speed though? I have to assume it would be horribly slow for bootcamp
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 07:32 PM	#3
mac jones macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2006	Thanks for that. The Elago USB adapter is good, but not flush (but more secure than a protruding SD card. note: maybe super glue a little flexible tab on it for removal? (could always undo that mod, I would think). - I'd hate to have to try to get it out in a hurry without a pull tab ( now if they just would jump on the thunderbolt wagon we really would be rockin )
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 07:37 PM	#5
KylePowers macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2011	Nice. I've been thinking of ways to expand my 11" storage (aside from throwing in a bigger SSD), so obviously the only option is via USB. There are some pretty neat ones the size of Logitech RF Adapters (for example) that don't particularly protrude that much... which are really just tiny Micro SD adapters with Micro SD cards in the USB plug. Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820235063 This could be an option for 13in owners as well, if they don't want to bother chopping up an SD card. Again, it's not flush, but it's a tradeoff for ease of use, I'd say.
	2

Aug 5, 2011, 08:16 PM	#10
IngerMan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY.	Sweet, Thank you __________________ MBP 15" Quad \| iPad 4G \| iMac 20" C2D \| iPhone 4S \| TV2
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 08:17 PM	#11
penguintri macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UK	Would love to buy one, but it's a shame they don't ship to the UK!
	1

Aug 5, 2011, 08:20 PM	#12
mac jones macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2006	Well there was 133. Now there is 130 hmm, three people here say they bought one (myself included).....let's see, this math says, i'm short 2 trillion. Ooops
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 09:05 PM	#14
runtohell121 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2010	Here's 2 USB I have that I use for my MacBook Air 11 First one Second one Both micro sdhc card reader is using a Sandisk 32gb Class 4 Micro SDHC. __________________ 6/24/2010 - iPhone 4 16gb AT&T 12/20/2012 - iPhone 5 16gb AT&T
	2

Aug 5, 2011, 09:56 PM	#15
sloan47 macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2011	Hmm... not bad at all. It's going to be dirt slow, but not bad for storing my iTunes library.
	0

Aug 5, 2011, 10:39 PM	#16
macbookpro45 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010	wow great idea
	0

Aug 6, 2011, 04:45 AM	#17
ttran88 macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2009	Great thanks. I have a 32 gb lexar class 10 laying around and I can use that for my itunes library in it. Then use the space that my library use to take and make it my bootcamp partition. __________________ Late 2010 Macbook Air Ultimate 2.13 Ghz, 4 GB ram, 256 GB SSD
	0

Aug 7, 2011, 08:59 AM	#19
sprockett macrumors member Join Date: May 2008	interested to see how this affects battery life, but thanks for the tip bro.
	1

Aug 11, 2011, 11:14 AM	#21
legends74 macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2006	I know I must be missing something, but why not just plug the SD card directly into the slot on the MBA rather than trim a microSD USB adapter?
	1

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