X1 Carbon Gen-1 UNICORN found: a real 20+6-Pin-to-mSATA adapter

[RealBlackStuff]

Look what I found on the web: a real mSATA adapter for the X1 Carbon Gen-1.



The SLXA3100 mSATA to 26 Pin ThinkPad X1 Adapter is an mSATA SSD to 20+6pin as a SanDisk/Toshiba/Intel SSD for Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook.
It is used to convert mSATA SSD as 26 Pin SSD for Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook.

Specification & Feature

Fit for Lenovo X1 Carbon Ultrabook, replaces the mSATA SSD
Plug and play, No drivers needed.
The storage space is optional, supports half Size 3x2.6cm and full size 3x5cm mSATA SSD.
Dimensions: 70 x 31 mm (LxW)

http://www.soarland.com/mSATA_to_26_Pin ... t-478.html

I'd love to get my hands on one, has anybody tried to buy something like this?
Is there enough space between mobo and keyboard to fit this in?

[cfds]

Yes, the X1C 1st Gen I just bought came with one of these installed...the result is that there is a noticeable bulge on the keyboard.
Initially I did not realized why the keyboard was bulging but when I took it off I realized the keyboard was as flat as a pancake so its then that I realized what they did. Also the aft middle screw holding the keyboard/bezel onto the base was found missing and broken of resulting that the laptop has an gap between the keyboard and base - also there is some movement/flex as the keyboard is not fitted nicely.
Even if I fit an original SSD the keyboard will still have a missing screw.

[RMSMajestic]

yup bumpy keyboard is what you'd get with one of those adapters......
lenovo did made a 512GB SSD for X1c but that's an OEM stuff and the performance is pathetic.
I'm happy with my 128GB atm as anything that requires more than 128GB cannot be served by a X1 Carbon as well.
Not sure if you check taobao now but you might be able to find NGFF adapters for X1 Carbon gen-1



BTW since when have I become a "senior" member? And when can I set a profile pic lol XD

[axur-delmeria]

BTW since when have I become a "senior" member? And when can I set a profile pic lol XD

I think it's related to the number of posts you''ve made. Just now I noticed that I got bumped to "Thinkpadder"-- I guess it's because I breached the 1000 posts mark.

[cfds]

Are all these adapters to thick or are certain models thin enough to prevent the keyboard from bulging?
The one installed in mine is this one:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/361509611752?_tr ... EBIDX%3AIT
Only 128GB SSD is a bit on the tight side, minimum is 256...

[RealBlackStuff]

When I played with my mSATA adapter (see OP), I filed down the mounting post to lower the drive a bit.
But it's the black mSATA socket-housing that makes the adapter too high/thick.

This one looks like it is thinner: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221643212328

This could be a possible mSATA alternative: http://www.ebay.com/itm/151578483258

[cfds]

I already stumbled upon that mSATA alternative...
I agree, its the adaptor which is to high as even without the SSD installed the keyboard bulges.
There is not a lot of meat on the adaptor to trim it down.

This alternative looks promising although I do ask myself the question how it would stay in place as you insert en "clamp" down the adaptor and or SSD...

[RealBlackStuff]

Double-sided tape between SSD and motherboard should do the trick.
And there should also be enough space to use the "alternative" with a half-size mSATA (3x2.7cm) drive such as this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/222286996423

[cfds]

I ordered the "alternative" and will report back on the installation...
The other good news is that the seller of my X1C has agreed the send me an replacement keyboard for the broken screw so I may end up with good laptop after all.

[aabram]

How is it going?
There are bunch of axious users biting nails and ready to hit that Buy button once you report back and say it worked

[cfds]

Still not received the adapter, on its way. Will report with pictures, just have to be patient like me!

[cfds]

Received the adapter and installed it on my X1C 1st gen...
The adapter came with 3 ribbon cables of different length.
Installation at the "original" position produced the same bulging on my keyboard, tried different positions but basically you are limited so I ended up installing the mSata SSD and its adapter on top of the battery left of the mouse pad. For that you need the longest ribbon cable to allow this installation. Installing the SSD on the RH side of the mouse pad does not work due to the presence of the fingerprint scanner.
Like this it does not produce any noticeable keyboard bulging, if it does I cannot see it. The underside of the keyboard would still allow you to trim away some material to create more clearance, however I did not do this.
Look at the pictures, to fix the adapters and SSD I used some double side tape.

For me its a alternative to the other adapters available.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... xn62hq.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... pm2m2q.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... 5wnyqm.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... 0vbsi1.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... ybxzxs.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... lmozga.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... dtaobq.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... spnxkq.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... 3iqrkv.jpg

MOD Edit: pictures are very nice, but WAY too big (See Forum rules, Section 5). Tags removed.

[RealBlackStuff]

Good to see that a full-size mSATA now fits with this "alternative".
If you had taken a half-size mSATA, would that have worked at the original SSD-slot?

[cfds]

A 1/2 size mSATA at the original SSD slot is going to be a tight fit IMO but a smaller drive would for sure make life easier. It could work though...we need another "volunteer" to try this.

[aabram]

Thanks for the review. I ordered the same thing now.
I also bit the bullet and ordered this hack. I hope at least one of these two will work as intended.

[cfds]

Thanks for the review. I ordered the same thing now.
I also bit the bullet and ordered this hack. I hope at least one of these two will work as intended.

Please give us some feedback about the modified mSATA you ordered. We know that the "adapter" works, would be great to find out if the other option works to!
I came across the modified mSATA but because I already had a mSATA SSD with win 7 for this laptop I opted for the cheaper option. Still happy with it so far!

[aabram]

Great success with that eBay DIY SSD!
I made separate post here: X1C1 SSD replacement with eBay DIY SSD success. It worked like a charm. No problems with replacement at all. Imgur album with short descriptions is here for longer explanations see linked post.

I'm pretty darn happy right now and I'm kicking myself for ordering 256GB version instead of 512GB. Oh well.

[J888www]

I know it's been a long time since the last reply to post.....but, I'm now looking for another ribbon Unicorn, a REAL 20+6 Pin adaptor but all those Chinese Sellers only send White Elephants (mSATA to mSATA extenders) instead.
Would be most grateful if someone can forward a link to a recent transaction for the REAL McCoy.
So far, I purchased from two different Sellers and they both sent extenders.
Both from Sellers using stock images from "Estore".

NB: There is a batch with Number:- 46779 E090L-07 80703-2882 which is incorrectly labeled mSATA to mSATA ribbon cable adapters.

[Geartooth]

I know it's been a long time since the last reply to post.....but, I'm now looking for another ribbon Unicorn, a REAL 20+6 Pin adaptor but all those Chinese Sellers only send White Elephants (mSATA to mSATA extenders) instead.
Would be most grateful if someone can forward a link to a recent transaction for the REAL McCoy.
So far, I purchased from two different Sellers and they both sent extenders.
Both from Sellers using stock images from "Estore".

NB: There is a batch with Number:- 46779 E090L-07 80703-2882 which is incorrectly labeled mSATA to mSATA ribbon cable adapters.

I saw one of those in a Store in Causeway Bay recently!