2G MBA - buy the HDD now, and upgrade with an Intel 160GB X18-M SSD later?

[stefobb]

I installed an intel X18-M into my air but its no job for the amateurs....

Xbench results...
http://db.xbench.com/merge.xhtml?doc1=435718&doc2=356983

Overall disk test score:
INTEL SSDSA1M080G2GN 204,93
APPLE SSD SM128 84,86

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/657341/

Would it be possible to install (when out) one of the new Intel X18-M 160Gb on a MBA Rev. C? I'm between waiting for these new Intel SSDs and just getting a 128 Gb Runcore SSD.
What do you mean the installation was "no job for amateurs"? Basically because if there's a good change of damaging the MBA while installing the Intel drive I'll just go for Runcore

thanks!

 

[stoconnell]

Would it be possible to install (when out) one of the new Intel X18-M 160Gb on a MBA Rev. C? I'm between waiting for these new Intel SSDs and just getting a 128 Gb Runcore SSD.
What do you mean the installation was "no job for amateurs"? Basically because if there's a good change of damaging the MBA while installing the Intel drive I'll just go for Runcore

thanks!

The Runcore product already uses the native SATA-LIF interface. The Intel drive uses a different variant of SATA interface and some very careful cable work has to be done to splice and graft the ribbon cable from the motherboard to work with the Intel cable.

 

[stefobb]

The Runcore product already uses the native SATA-LIF interface. The Intel drive uses a different variant of SATA interface and some very careful cable work has to be done to splice and graft the ribbon cable from the motherboard to work with the Intel cable.

Alright, I guess I'll probably just stick to the idea of upgrading my MBA with the Runcore SSD and not getting myself into trouble with any cable work.
Thanks!

 

[Scottsdale]

Would it be possible to install (when out) one of the new Intel X18-M 160Gb on a MBA Rev. C? I'm between waiting for these new Intel SSDs and just getting a 128 Gb Runcore SSD.
What do you mean the installation was "no job for amateurs"? Basically because if there's a good change of damaging the MBA while installing the Intel drive I'll just go for Runcore

thanks!

I don't believe the Intel drive will fit, unless it's a different size than the past Intel SSDs. The MBA requires a 1.8" drive plus it can only be 5mm height. If it did fit, what a drive that would be. However, you still have to do some custom soldering to get the drive to work with an LIF cable; there's a thread that explains how to make a SATA-II drive work by soldering the MBA's LIF cable and the drive. It's definitely not "plug-and-play." It's going to be complex, but if you were to get it going it could be incredible. Do let us know if you attempt this project. Also, consider that the rev 3,1 MBA might use a different drive connection or even a different drive form factor. We really don't know what Apple has in store for the MBA.

 

[stefobb]

I don't believe the Intel drive will fit, unless it's a different size than the past Intel SSDs. The MBA requires a 1.8" drive plus it can only be 5mm height. If it did fit, what a drive that would be. However, you still have to do some custom soldering to get the drive to work with an LIF cable; there's a thread that explains how to make a SATA-II drive work by soldering the MBA's LIF cable and the drive. It's definitely not "plug-and-play." It's going to be complex, but if you were to get it going it could be incredible. Do let us know if you attempt this project. Also, consider that the rev 3,1 MBA might use a different drive connection or even a different drive form factor. We really don't know what Apple has in store for the MBA.

From what I have read, the installation of the Runcore SSD is pretty much plun-n-play, and I don't have the experience to try to make the Intel SSD work on the MBA, especially taking into account how fragile this notebook is... It would be probably amazing to fit one of those great Intel SSDs into the MBA, but like I say, my experience is too low and the pricetag on an Intel drive will probably sting, worse than the Runcore

 

[Scottsdale]

From what I have read, the installation of the Runcore SSD is pretty much plun-n-play, and I don't have the experience to try to make the Intel SSD work on the MBA, especially taking into account how fragile this notebook is... It would be probably amazing to fit one of those great Intel SSDs into the MBA, but like I say, my experience is too low and the pricetag on an Intel drive will probably sting, worse than the Runcore

I have the Runcore SSD, and I found it to be a simple installation. I have never tried to convert a non-LIF connected drive, but it sounds like it requires some excellent soldering skills. You will love a Runcore, and you will do fine with the Runcore installation. I included a basic writeup about it in the MBA section here, but iFixIt.com has a completely detailed instruction set for replacing the SSD on the MBA. Good luck.

 

[stefobb]

I have the Runcore SSD, and I found it to be a simple installation. I have never tried to convert a non-LIF connected drive, but it sounds like it requires some excellent soldering skills. You will love a Runcore, and you will do fine with the Runcore installation. I included a basic writeup about it in the MBA section here, but iFixIt.com has a completely detailed instruction set for replacing the SSD on the MBA. Good luck.

Sounds great! I asked about the Intel since, if I finally decide to upgrade, I'd like to get the best SSD made to FIT the MBA. I'm just regretting a tiny bit having bought the Rev. C MBA so late when the new ones are probably coming out very soon, but I'm sure that with the Runcore drive it will boost the machinge up nicely.

Thanks for the help