hypothetical SSD opt. for mini-PCI : how about M.2 NVMe

[automobus]

(originally posted at 2014-09-27)
So, SAS has been written-off as impractical, and then we had the mSATA discussion. Here is an idea for a mad 'padder: try to fit PCIe-type M.2-formfactor flashdisc into a mini-PCI mobile PC. If lucky and it all works together, then hopefully performance will exceed Ultra ATA/33.

Bill Of Materials:

1. something like Amfeltec Flexible MiniPCI to MiniPCI Express Adapter : mPCIe secondary bus slot to conventional mini-PCI primary bus
2. something like Bplus MPMP1 or MPMP1-E : PCIe-type M.2 child card to mPCIe host
3. wiring to power Amfeltec secondary circuitboard from 5 volt HDD bay.
4. PCI-type, M.2 form, flashdisc

Said flashdisc could have BIOS option ROM, otherwise keep a boot floppy handy. Preferably AHCI mode rather than NVMe. (Put that off until next year.) Preferably NVMe class.



edit 2015-01-08 add:
One season passed, 'next year' is a little bit closer. Marvell has shown flashdisc/flash drive/SSD in M.2 2230 formfactor, containing Marvell 88NV1140 or Marvell 88NV1120. Marvell 88NV1140 is a AHCI and NVMe controller.

edit 2015-05-23 add:
Two seasons passed, 'next year' is even closer. Samsung has distributed SM951 'MZVPV' flashdisc to reviewers and partners. PCI class: NVMe; formfactor: M.2 2280; controller: Samsung 'UBX' S4LN058A01-8030;
2015-05-01 Legit Reviews Storage : Samsung SM951 NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD Review
2015-05-20 The SSD Review : Samsung SM951 M.2 NVME SSD Review

edit 2015-08-13 add:
Three seasons passed, 'next year' is a little bit closer. Toshiba announced 'BG1 SSD family available in a removable M.2 Type 2230 module'. 'Samples of Toshiba’s newest lines of NVMe, PCIe SSDs will be available in Q4 2015.'

edit 2015-09-30 add:
Apple 2015 MacBook and iPhone 6s are examples of NVMe in embedded systems (possibly also Apple TV 338S00057). Change Subject to 'hypothetical SSD opt. for mini-PCI : how about M.2 NVMe' (was 'hypothetical SSD opt. for mini-PCI : how about M.2 AHCI').

edit 2015-10-14 add:
Apple Late 2015 iMac contains NVMe storage module "Apple SSD AP0032H".
Other World Computing Blog
Ars Technica
edit 2015-10-16 add Macotakara Macお宝鑑定団 blog（羅針盤）

edit 2016-04-29 add:
Apple 2016 MacBook contains embedded 'Apple SSD AP0256J' and 'Apple SSD AP0512J'.
Übergizmo Deutschland
Macotakara Macお宝鑑定団 blog（羅針盤）

edit 2016-08-05 add:
Six seasons passed, 'next year' is still one or two seasons away. ONG Toshiba, why so long delay? The new BG SSD will be available in … removable M.2 Type 2230 module. Toshiba is sampling the new drive family now with select OEM customers and expects the drive to be more available by the fourth calendar quarter of this year.

edit 2017-01-09 add:
Eight seasons passed, yet the Toshiba BG SSD does not seem to be more available to consumers. Memory4Less has what I guess are samples, not market-ready productions, of Toshiba BG1 SSD: THNSNN128GSX7 ($2,115.39) THNSNN256GSX7 ($2,962.11).