06-09-2020, 11:25 PM
Probably the cheapest way to adapt that drive to USB is as follows:
Sintech Adapter to PCIe M.2, $20 (there might be another listing with a Prime option)
https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-C...0173ODBCE/
I have briefly tested this adapter and it does work.
USB to PCIe M.2, $20. This is more of an "open" USB stick, because the adapter makes the drive 110mm long (80mm is the most common M.2 size) and too tall for a normal USB case.
https://www.amazon.com/QNINE-Adapter-Per...07JKWHFRC/
And you'd probably want to throw a $10 heatsink on the drive, so now you're at $50 for a hacked together solution, which again, makes the OWC solution seem just easier. But, as also mentioned, you may be better off just buying a 2.5" SATA SSD to install internally or use externally.
Oh, and Apple PCIe SSDs go for a premium on eBay, so you could always just sell the SSD to fund a 2.5" SSD purchase.
256GB can fetch up to $60ish, 512GB can fetch $90ish. 1TB (though I doubt it's 1TB b/c the Air didn't have enough space for Apple's 1TB drive) can fetch $190ish.
So yea, considering that the drive is probably between 128GB and 512GB, it makes way more sense to sell it and buy something more appropriate.
Sintech Adapter to PCIe M.2, $20 (there might be another listing with a Prime option)
https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-C...0173ODBCE/
I have briefly tested this adapter and it does work.
USB to PCIe M.2, $20. This is more of an "open" USB stick, because the adapter makes the drive 110mm long (80mm is the most common M.2 size) and too tall for a normal USB case.
https://www.amazon.com/QNINE-Adapter-Per...07JKWHFRC/
And you'd probably want to throw a $10 heatsink on the drive, so now you're at $50 for a hacked together solution, which again, makes the OWC solution seem just easier. But, as also mentioned, you may be better off just buying a 2.5" SATA SSD to install internally or use externally.
Oh, and Apple PCIe SSDs go for a premium on eBay, so you could always just sell the SSD to fund a 2.5" SSD purchase.
256GB can fetch up to $60ish, 512GB can fetch $90ish. 1TB (though I doubt it's 1TB b/c the Air didn't have enough space for Apple's 1TB drive) can fetch $190ish.
So yea, considering that the drive is probably between 128GB and 512GB, it makes way more sense to sell it and buy something more appropriate.