Replacing the ssd in an UX31A

Hi,

I was wondering if notebooks are like desktops in that you can replace the ssd with whichever one you want as long as it's the same connector ( mSata )? If I have an Asus UX31A with the slow Sandisk can I just buy an MSATA-III SSD SAMSUNG PM830 and replace it? This would void my warranty but are there other risks? Is it more like RAM where the voltages & such can differ?

Has anyone ever done this before? Swapping it out with something else then the ADATA mx11?

Thanks

 

From what I read here about a similar model, http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/620402-ux31-u36sd-8g-ram-120g-ssd.html Your options to upgrade the hard drive are limited.

 

The UX31A uses a proprietary connector for its SSD so an mSATA drive will not work.

Read this article for details AnandTech - ASUS UX31A: Putting the Ultra in Ultrabooks

 

It's called a "gumstick" or "low profile" SSD. They are hard to find, but yes, they exist.

 

the problem besides finding one is to find one with the correct pin out

but depending on the model, if its from the 1st gen, you can buy one from owc and install there AFAIK

 

Buy one from where?

 

UX31A and almost all the ultrabook use 50mm mSATA SSDs, like the ones found in the Macbook Air. They are quite pricey but do exist.

 

OWC, if Karamazovmm is correct.

OWC = Other World Computing

They are a shop that specializes in Apple/Mac stuff, and have their own line of hardware such as SSDs. You can contact them with your notebook model and year, and maybe they can help.

Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC

I will say that I am disappointed Asus decided on such a form factor when there was already an mSATA standard available.

 

the msata standard is very limited in terms of size. It means that for higher space sizes you will need higher memory sizes, and this raises significantly the cost.

Look at the 768gb SSD in the RMBP, that thing aint cheap to produce at all.

 

That's because apple sells it.

 

point me to not expensive 700gb+ ssd, Im not even accounting the format.

 

Okay, so you're saying that $500 'upgrade' charge to go to a 512GB SSD option is reasonable (from the 256GB base $2.2K price...) and then ANOTHER $500K price jump is just as reasonable to hit that 768GB capacity?

See:
Configure - Apple Store (Canada)



And this based on a Samsung 830 controller/nand when you can buy 3x 256GB 830 drives for much less than $600? (And that's if you're lucky and get an 830 based SSD - if it's the Toshiba (deadly slow) models apple has pushed before, you're actually paying more to go slower.

Sure, I agree that most notebooks don't get 3 drive bays and/or mSATA + 2 drive bays to do this kind of all flash storage - but the rMBP is not upgradeable at all and it still comes with this ridiculous premium (not to mention all the other letdowns; ports, heat, and no RAM upgradeability too).

So granted; 700GB+ SSD's are not available for use in single drive bay systems - but that doesn't make the apple offering a 'deal' by any stretch of the imagination - especially considering the limitations of the platform (from the day it first came out).

In essence, you're paying apple around $1.5K for 768GB of SSD storage (yeah; another $500 upgrade to go from a HDD to the 'base' 256GB SSD...).

I'm positive that if the rMBP systems were at least user serviceable/upgradeable; apple would sell ZERO SSD drives at these prices - no matter how good you think their current prices are.

 

I dont think you read at all what I said. Never, I mentioned good prices.

Good Prices entails that you have something cheaper or on par to several data points. Which clearly you dont have in the gumstick format.

I dont know why you decided to point me to ''hey I dont need a 768gb drive, I can have 3 256gb'', while I was clearly mentioning the limitations of the physical size of a single msata drive against the gumstick format. The former will be more expensive to manufacture at larger disk spaces than the latter, in any day.

Now getting back to a reasonable 1 drive VS 1 drive comparison

Intel 320 600gb - U$ 870
OCZ RevoDrive X2 720gb - U$ 2330
OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 series 960GB - U$ 1070
OCZ Colossus 2 Series 960GB - U$ 2410
OCZ RevoDrive X2 960GB - U$ 1k
OCZ Octane 2.5" 1TB - U$ 2500

OWC also makes those 1tb drives, using 2 sandforce controllers in a single 2.5 board.

Thing is its expensive to use the higher capacity memory modules and to make the controller even work on that kind of storage.

the argument that because I can buy several smaller drives for much less aint, an argument at all on a limited space scenario as in notebooks. If this was a desktop discussion I would never ever consider msata, gumstick or anything larger than 256gb drives or even smaller than that.

 

So which owc model drive for the ux31a????????

They have ssd drives for various versions of Macbook Air.

 

I want to buy ux31a touch version but unfortunately all the core i7 versions have sandisk ssd. So is there a way to change ssd.? Anyone try before on ux31a.?

 

I would be most grateful to hear if anyone has successfully found a compatible upgrade to this and used it. I've only been able to find suggestions so far. I have a 128 gb ux31a right now, and am looking to go to 256 or higher. I checked out an OEM from ASUS that's 256gb but it seems to be marked up insanely highly, so if there's a viable choice from OWC that could be great. There are however many to choose from and I'm not seeing it listed as officially compatible.
,

 

The 2011 ssd from the mba was compatible with the first gen of the ux31, if yours is that, good, you can buy a new SSD, if its not, good luck finding one that fits, the ux100 from sandisk apparently does, but its not guaranteed

 

Hi all,
I registered to this forum to post the chat-log I had with OWC customer support.
Conclusion : It seems their SSD's might NOT fit an Asus UX31A, BUT they'll contact me for a definite answer, since the customer support was unsure.
I suggest everyone to livechat/email/contact OWC , so they have an answer ready next time for their customer support agents.

Here it goes:

OWC Sharon: [2:17:10 PM] Hello Optio, thanks for contacting OWC Sales & Customer Service. This is OWC Sharon. How may I assist you?
Optio: [2:17:10 PM] Do you offer SSD's that fit in an Asus UX31A ?
[2:26:07 PM] Anyone there ?
OWC Sharon: [2:26:40 PM] I am very sorry, I lost my connnection - Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Optio: [2:26:50 PM] Do you offer SSD's that fit in an Asus UX31A ?
OWC Sharon: [2:27:09 PM] the ssds we carry fir any laptop with a SATA connection
[2:27:22 PM] i am not familiar with that particular computer model
Optio: [2:27:42 PM] Is there someone at OWC I can contact to ask this before I buy ?
OWC Sharon: [2:28:44 PM] we primarily support Mac computers
[2:29:47 PM] but based on the spec i pulled up on google it would work
Optio: [2:30:01 PM] I do realise OWC primarilty support Mac products, though I've read on 'the internet' that I should contact OWC about Asus UX31A support, since looking at pictures, the SSD's look the same
[2:30:10 PM] "but based on the spec i pulled up on google it would work"
[2:30:16 PM] That's what I found out too
[2:30:26 PM] though I wanted to verify before spending money...
[2:31:09 PM] I assumed multiple potential customers already contacted OWC about the Asus UX31A
[2:31:22 PM] This assumption is incorrect ?
OWC Sharon: [2:31:52 PM] I have not personally spoke to anyone regarding this computer model
[2:33:48 PM] I see no reason why the drive would not work in your laptop
Optio: [2:33:51 PM] Is there any way I can find this out , without having to buy a unit and test myself ? (I do not mind having to wait a few days for an answer)
OWC Sharon: [2:35:15 PM] Actually, Unless we had this model of computer and tested it ourselves, we cannot guarantee it will work. but based on all the specifications of your computer, ther is no reason to think it wouldnot work
Optio: [2:35:47 PM] Ok thx, could you please clarify on what specifications you conclude it'll work ?
OWC Sharon: [2:39:53 PM] actually I cant find that page now...
[2:40:53 PM] which ssd were you looking at?
Optio: [2:47:48 PM] This page : OWC Solid State Drives For Mac Desktops & Laptops
[2:48:01 PM] Especially this picture : http://img2.macsales.com/Customized...ercury-aura-pro-ssd-macbookair-2010-image.jpg
[2:49:02 PM] This is how the Asus UX31A SSD looks like: http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/2053/dram.jpg
OWC Sharon: [2:49:08 PM] the 2.5" electra would not work in your laptop.
[2:49:53 PM] I was thinking the aura Pro
Optio: [2:50:04 PM] This looks identical : http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/2053/zenbook-sandforce.jpg
[2:52:07 PM] Maybe OWC customer support could place an answer at http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...flash-storage/691183-replacing-ssd-ux31a.html ?
OWC Sharon: [2:53:23 PM] I could let our marketing dept know.
Optio: [2:54:18 PM] So the conclusion is that I should NOT buy an SSD from OWC to replace the SSD in an Asus UX31A ?
OWC Sharon: [2:56:10 PM] I would hold off at this time. I can ask someone to look into this further
Optio: [2:56:26 PM] I'd very much appreciate that.
[2:56:44 PM] Should I contact someone else ? Or could you redirect my question, including my contact details ?
OWC Sharon: [2:56:59 PM] is this the best email to reach you at? **********************@gmail.com
Optio: [2:57:09 PM] yes, that's my main email address
OWC Sharon: [2:57:12 PM] I will have someone reach out to you tomorrow
Optio: [2:57:30 PM] Thank you very much.
[2:57:52 PM] Looking forward to the reply (whether it'll be negative or positive)
OWC Sharon: [2:58:59 PM] Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Optio: [2:59:34 PM] No thx, that's the only question I have so far
[2:59:36 PM] Regards,

Cheers,

 

I emailed OWC and they just flat out said they refuse to guarantee compatibility with anything but Macbook Airs. Didn't even speculate with a maybe or whatnot. I didn't get as specific as you and show them pictures though.

 

BTW thanks Karamazovmm. I have a 2012 UX31A, but from what I have read the ssd module may be the same between the 2 models. Did you replace yours? Got a pic or do the pics optio posted look the same?

 

This is an important lesson, avoid proprietary of anything like the plague...especially Apple

 

Email response from OWC after chat:

Sharon informed me you were looking for a replacement drive for your Asus UX31A. Regretfully that machine has a proprietary connector on its SSD. We do not make a compatible drive for that machine.


Bummer

 

Hello my fellow ASUS UX31A owners. If anyone is interested. Today I replaced ADATA MX11 256gb with 512GB (I had to use adapter). Everything is described here: Upgrading to 512GB SSD on Asus Zenbook UX31A – Jure's blogish site