Now available - Internal M.2 PCIe SSD adaptor for 2013+ MBA's

[RedTomato]

Just saw this while browsing for internal MBA SSD replacements.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KALEA-INFORMATIQUE-Adapter-16-Moulds-12-Points-Original/dp/B01GHSE7Z2/

"KALEA-INFORMATIQUE © Adapter M2 Type PCIE (B + M and M Key SSD to Macbook 2013 and more with 16 Moulds 12 Points - For Mount M2 SSD Place Original 12 + 16 Pin SSD Mac" - £24

If I am correct in reading the rather mangled english, this tiny adaptor could allow you to replace the MBA SSD with a larger M.2 PCIe SSD. I'm dubious as to if there is enough physical space inside the MBA.

Would this work?

EDIT: Another sales site with what appears to be the same adaptor, with some more technical information and a drive compatibility list:
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http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1139.html

NGFF M.2 PCIe SSD Card as 2013 2014 2015 MacBook SSD
$18.99
ST-NGFF2013 NGFF M.2 PCIe SSD Card as 2013 2014 2015 MacBook SSD is used to convert NGFF M.2 PCIe SSD as Apple 2013-2014 MACBOOK AIR/PRO Retina ssd .

Specifications and features:
1.Support Following M.2 (NGFF) PCI-e SSD:
Samsung XP941 (MZHPU128HCGM MZHPU256HCGL MZHPU512HCGL)
Samsung SM951 PCIE-AHCI (MZHPV128HDGM MZHPV256HDGL MZHPV512HDGL)
Kingston SHPM2280P2/ 240G/ 480G

Not support following NGFF PCIe SSD:
SM951 PCIE-NVME (MZVPV128HDGM MZVPV256HDGL MZVPV512HDGL),
PM951 PCIE-NVME (MZFLV128HCGR MZFLV256HCHP MZFLV512HCJH),
950 PRO (MZVKV256 MZVKV512)

2. can replace SSD modules from following:
11 "Air Mid 2013, A1465 (MD711.MD712)
13 "Air Mid 2013, A1466 (MD760.MD761);
13 "PRO Retina Late 2013, A1502 (ME864, ME865, ME866)
15 "PRO Retina Late 2013, A1398 (ME293, ME294, ME874)

3. replace following SSD modules:
Samsung MZ-JPU128T / 0A2, MZ-JPU256T / 0A2, MZ-JPU512T / 0A2, MZ-KPU1TOT / 0A2, MZ-JPV1280, Sandisk SD6PQ4M-128G, SD6PQ4M-256G

4. No need extra power adapter and any drivers

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EDIT 2: I found a pic of a MBA with new m.2 + the adaptor installed. Seems to work. This is from the installation guide:

http://pc-adapter.net/files/how to install MAX OX in NGFF SSD.pdf

 

[Mercaptan]

Damn, missed it by a year. Those M.2 SSDs are getting cheap too!

 

[RedTomato]

Damn, missed it by a year. Those M.2 SSDs are getting cheap too!

Not really. The special M.2 PCIe SSDs that the adaptor will work with are still rather expensive. I had a look at the SSDs in the very small compatibility list given:

1.Support Following M.2 (NGFF) PCI-e SSD:
Samsung XP941 (MZHPU128HCGM MZHPU256HCGL MZHPU512HCGL)
Samsung SM951 PCIE-AHCI (MZHPV128HDGM MZHPV256HDGL MZHPV512HDGL)
Kingston SHPM2280P2/ 240G/ 480G

They seem to run about $150 for 256GB or $250 for 512GB, which is not much of a saving on just buying an Apple drive pulled from a MBA. I'm still not 100% sure this system actually works.

The nice thing is hopefully these prices will get cheaper, and maybe someone will give it a go and tell us if it works.

 

[madmaxmedia]

I am interested in this, but it doesn't seem like a 100% compatible solution- apparently the MBA can freeze up when put to sleep, requiring a reboot. That unfortunately makes it not worth the trouble.

The 2012 and earlier MacBook Air SSD adapters were a lot less finicky, and worked great.