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Could I use this to store my iTunes and iPhoto libraries if I only access them once a top (maybe two)? Thusly freeing up space on my SSD.

I am unfamiliar with how robust MicroSD cards are.
 
Have you read the kickstarter comments, lack of updates, etc? Out of 3 batches all three have had high fail rates. The first batch fell apart, the second had read/write issues and the third don't sit flush.

No why would I. I have had no issues. Must be specific to one model.
 
Nifty Minidrive and similar short MicroSD adapters

So, now that you can get a 128gb MicroSD card, I was thinking about getting either the Nifty Minidrive or something similar. I have a late 2013 13" rmbp, and as far as I can figure out Nifty is the only one that makes one that sits flush at the moment. I did email "The Minidrive" people, and they said they were looking into it.

I was wondering if people had good experiences with these adapters--I've seen mixed reviews online, so I'm not sure whether to spend the money and which one to buy. Are they well-made products?

I'm also curious if the actual length of the SD slot on my computer is easy to determine or available somewhere (I'm guessing that sticking in a measuring tape is probably not going to give me the correct, slotted measurement), since I could then determine if some other model will fit reasonably well. $40 is pretty expensive for an adapter, in my opinion (check out the $5.95 one from adafruit)--if I could spend less, I would. I might also be willing to wait until other companies came out with an adapter for the 13" rmbp if those companies made reliable products.

There is also the PNY StoreEdge, but I have read that it doesn't actually sit flush with the laptop--I'd be interested to hear people's experience with that one too, though.

http://www.sandisk.com/about-sandis...est-capacity-microsdxc-memory-card-at-128gb/_

http://theniftyminidrive.com/
http://www.theminidrive.com/
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1569
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1W70HF4297
http://www.amazon.com/GSAstore-Adapter-MacBook-Plastic-Included/dp/B00EUKS6NY
 
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I have the Niftyminidrive. Works as claimed. Have a 64gb card in, that I regularly write too. It's stayed in and accessible for about 6 months now with no issues.

Couple of reviews had me worried about the build-quality. Seems some had too much glue used in the packaging, which saw them damaged when people removed them. I was simply careful. Needed to do the scotch-tape trick, which took all of 5 seconds - and all was good. Cannot speak for the others, but happy with mine.
 
TheMiniDive.com - info on what fits :)

Hey guys,

We are from TheMiniDrive.com.

Currently, NiftyDrive (our competitor) is the only company offering a MiniDrive for the 13" RETINA MacBook. We are working on releasing one, but it is not ready yet. Thanks for emailing us BTW, but at the moment NiftyDrive is your only option for something that fits :)

If you are interested, what differentiates these "short-microSD adapters" is the length. If you are ok with something sticking out the side of your laptop than you can get a longer adapter card. For the MacBook Retina 13", you need a card that is 16mm long. The 'generic' cards listed above are much longer and will stick out by about 6-7mm, the PNY will stick out by about 8mm and our shortest MiniDrive card will stick out by about 3mm. We do offer a new MiniDrive (not linked above) that will stick out by about 1mm, however NiftyDrive's card is designed for the 13" Retina MBP, which none other is (at least until we can get ours released!).

For people with other MacBooks, our newest MiniDrives are focused on 128GB integrated flash memory (NOT-microSD). We did this to increase speeds. Our non-microSD based MiniDrives are about 25% faster than MiniDrives with microSD cards. We source the same premium chips as the leading brands - they work great! We also are the only company to offer a MiniDrive for the New 15" Retina MBP - which customers have loved!

Thank you again for the email! Please continue to send suggestions :)
Best of luck with you 13" Retina, no matter what you choose!
 
Hey guys,

We are from TheMiniDrive.com.

Currently, NiftyDrive (our competitor) is the only company offering a MiniDrive for the 13" RETINA MacBook. We are working on releasing one, but it is not ready yet. Thanks for emailing us BTW, but at the moment NiftyDrive is your only option for something that fits :)

If you are interested, what differentiates these "short-microSD adapters" is the length. If you are ok with something sticking out the side of your laptop than you can get a longer adapter card. For the MacBook Retina 13", you need a card that is 16mm long. The 'generic' cards listed above are much longer and will stick out by about 6-7mm, the PNY will stick out by about 8mm and our shortest MiniDrive card will stick out by about 3mm. We do offer a new MiniDrive (not linked above) that will stick out by about 1mm, however NiftyDrive's card is designed for the 13" Retina MBP, which none other is (at least until we can get ours released!).

For people with other MacBooks, our newest MiniDrives are focused on 128GB integrated flash memory (NOT-microSD). We did this to increase speeds. Our non-microSD based MiniDrives are about 25% faster than MiniDrives with microSD cards. We source the same premium chips as the leading brands - they work great! We also are the only company to offer a MiniDrive for the New 15" Retina MBP - which customers have loved!

Thank you again for the email! Please continue to send suggestions :)
Best of luck with you 13" Retina, no matter what you choose!

Thanks for that information. Are you also planning a non-micro-SD model for the 13" Retina, as well? Having faster storage would certainly be appealing. And do you have a rough time frame for releasing model(s) for the 13"?
 
I would love to see something that fits flush in the late 2013 15". I'd snap one right up!
 
TheMiniDrive 128 for RETINA (Late 2013+)

I would love to see something that fits flush in the late 2013 15". I'd snap one right up!

Yup, we support the Late 15" rMBP :)

Here is a link to Amazon; goo.gl/iNHji1
(We dont have it up on the website yet, still very new - it uses a pull tab that tucks into the side of the computer instead of a bezzel w/ wire)

Ditto on that!
Nice! Here it is on Amazon; goo.gl/iNHji1


Here is a photo of the New 15" Retina w/ MiniDrive 128 tucked inside :)

128_new_r15.jpg


Are you also planning a non-micro-SD model for the 13" Retina, as well? Having faster storage would certainly be appealing.

Yes, yes we are! We are not releasing info yet on timelines - it is not fair to ask you to wait, especially when we keep changing designs. But you can sign up for the 13" RETINA mailing list on our website :)
 
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Yup, we support the Late 15" rMBP :)

Here is a link to Amazon; goo.gl/iNHji1
(We dont have it up on the website yet, still very new - it uses a pull tab that tucks into the side of the computer instead of a bezzel w/ wire)


Nice! Here it is on Amazon; goo.gl/iNHji1



Yes, yes we are! We are not releasing info yet on timelines - it is not fair to ask you to wait, especially when we keep changing designs. But you can sign up for the mailing list on our website :)

Here is a photo of the New 15" Retina w/ MiniDrive 128 tucked inside :)

Image

So there is already a 128GB mini card available? :D
 
Very nice. Will you guys be releasing benchmarks on the speed of the MiniDrive 128gb? I'm in the market for one or the PNY 128GB version.
 
r: Very nice. Will you guys be releasing benchmarks on the speed of the MiniDrive 128

Hi again, and thanks for asking. The new MiniDrive 128GB Drives match PNY's 128GB drive. The chips we a sourcing are great! We have posted an SDspeed test result and a Blackmagic Disk Speed test you can view those here on.fb.me/1kQwo1i . From our testing will confidently say that the new MiniDrive 128gb cards will have Read Speeds at 50-90 MB/s and Write speeds of 40-60 MB/s. Depending on formatting.

Long link for those test shots https://www.facebook.com/thecheapmi...073741826.100004795361007&type=1&l=a313301198
 
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Here another link

Try
bitly.com/1cpwTzS

or long link at

http://www.amazon.com/MiniDrive-Mac...f=sr_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1393905277&sr=1-10


We are currently experimenting with wrapping / finishing the card in aluminum so it matches your MacBook, as it will not have a cap(... not yet) instead a pull tab. But it will sit flush. The earlier Retina 15" 128GB model for retina 15' mid2012-mid2013 does have a cap. Air and Pro 128GB Models also have custom fit caps.

Hope this helps, let know if you have better luck with these links.

Thanks
TheMiniDrive

The link doesn't work for me :(

Barney
 
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I will be keeping a keen eye on this!

The above link still isn't working for me btw.
 
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The MiniDrive Ret 15 images aluminum wrapping take one?

SO I know you where curious about the aluminum wrapped MiniDrive128GB for the late 2013+ retina 15 , here are some images of our first material run, we will be using a better aluminum but this might help to give you a visual. As I know you guys were interested.

Let us know what you think, and we will post photo's of new aluminum wraps soon. Be aware that these are test images for material sampling so it's hand and not laser cut like the final products will be.
Thanks for your interest
The MiniDrive
IMG_1120.jpg

IMG_1121.jpg
 
Mac ret 15 128GB ret 15 MiniDrive

Yes, we agree - it is not a match and for that and other reasons we will not be using this, don't worry. Just wanted to update you on the progress and trials so far.
Thanks
TheMiniDrive
 
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Yes, yes we are! We are not releasing info yet on timelines - it is not fair to ask you to wait, especially when we keep changing designs. But you can sign up for the 13" RETINA mailing list on our website :)

Er, when you try to add your email to the mailing list on your website, you get a "Page Not Found" error when you press the "submit" button.
 
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