Thinkpads Forum

Hey guys, I recently purchased a Type 3448AVU used but unfortunately I hadn't done my homework. I thought it would take a normal 2.5" SSD but I've found out that isn't the case. I suppose it takes a proprietary SanDisk SSD?

I looked up the FRU numbers and it seems to accept these drives:
45N8297 N SFF 128GB SanDisk
45N8299 N SFF 256GB SanDisk
45N8301 N SFF 128GB Toshiba
45N8303 N SFF 256GB Toshiba
45N8305 N SFF 180GB Intel
45N8421 N SFF 120GB Intel
45N8423 N SFF 240GB FDE Intel
45N8481 N SFF 128GB SanDisk
45N8483 N SFF 256GB SanDisk

But some of those prices seems to be high.

Should I consider getting a 20+6 Pin SSD to SATA Adapter and then purchasing a SSD? Would I be able to use a M.2 drive or mSATA with that?

Honestly I don't care about speed or capacity (as long as it's not below 100 GB). I just want to find an option that gives me the highest chance of getting the machine working without spending an absurd price.

I appreciate any advice.

Edit: So after doing some searching it looks like the 20+6 Pin adapter causes a bulge under the keyboard that would cause a tight fit.

Would a SSDSCMMW240A3L work?

Welcome to the Forum.

Check this for a 20-6 adapter (follow the "alternative" and user cfds): http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 63#p789463
No M.2 drives, but mSATA will work.

And this SSDSCMMW240A3L will also work (it's a direct fit).

RealBlackStuff wrote:Welcome to the Forum.

Check this for a 20-6 adapter (follow the "alternative" and user cfds): http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 63#p789463
No M.2 drives, but mSATA will work.

And this SSDSCMMW240A3L will also work (it's a direct fit).

Thank you!

With that alternate adapter would I be able to use any mSATA drive or are there some restrictions (i.e. whitelisting)?

i only have a type 2 and a type 3..

what type is yours..?

i have had excellent luck shopping for SSD's on amazon..

looks like the SSDSCMMW240A3L would at least fit physically..

i added these SSD's..
Transcend 512 GB SATA III 6Gb/s MTS800 80 mm M.2 SSD Solid State Drive TS512GMTS800
Transcend 256 GB SATA III 6Gb/s MTS800 80 mm M.2 SSD Solid State Drive TS256GMTS800
and
Samsung 850 EVO - 1TB - M.2 SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-N5E1T0BW) recently..
all from amazon..

these X1's are my first trip into the current thinkpad generation..
really a great thinkpad but more like a super tablet with attached keyboard..

OP is talking about an X1C1 (X1 Carbon 1st Gen) or type 1 if you like.
Only designated original 1st Gen SSDs will work, OR the "alternative" as mentioned above.
With the "alternative", any mSATA SSD will work, if you get a half-size mSATA it might also fit in the original SSD-slot,
but nobody has tried that yet.

Thank you guys so much!

Within a few hours I had the answer to my problem.

those X1 first gen can be really a good value for their current cost..
never have seen one but they DO have the better keyboard than the X1 gen 2..

BillMorrow wrote:those X1 first gen can be really a good value for their current cost..
never have seen one but they DO have the better keyboard than the X1 gen 2..

I needed an upgrade from my T430 but it really bit me in the butt not having researched which SSD they take.

I got it for about $230 shipped. I figure $75-100 for the SSD should get it up and running.

X1C1 not really an UPgrade from T430, but rather a DOWNgrade.

They use the same generation CPU, but:
- T430 can use up to 16GB removable RAM
- X1C1 can only be had with 4GB or 8GB soldered RAM
- T430 can use one mSATA (in the WWAN slot) PLUS a regular 2.5" HD/SSD PLUS it has a DVD-drive
- X1C1 can only use designated SSDs OR the "alternative" mSATA and has NO DVD-drive.
- T430 still uses the "old" round barrel-type DC connector, X1C uses the "new" flat DC-connector
- T430 is heavier and thicker and not as elegant looking as the X1C1
- X1C1 is a lot more expensive than the T430
- T430 has better graphics than the X1C1
- X1C1 has better screens than the T430
- T430 has better battery life options than X1C1
etc., etc.

I have such an X1C1 with i5-3337U, 8GB and an original 180GB SSD and I quite like it.
But since I rarely use it, I guess it will go on the market next, unless my daughter wants it.

I also have an X230, which right now is being upgraded with an FHD IPS screen and an X220 keyboard.
This X230 will get an mSATA SSD with the OS and a 1TB HD for storage.
When ready, it will replace my current travel-machine X201, which was upgraded with an X200s WXGA+ lid.