Better or Worse PATA to SATA Adapters? - TAM

[JustG]

I just picked up a Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, check that one off the unicorn list! I'd like to drop a SSD into it as the original drive is pretty noisy and I'd rather not kill the one that came with the computer. Has anyone had any more or less luck with PATA to SATA adapter brands? Based on my 10 minutes of research some people have experienced issues with longer than normal start up times when using an adapted SSD. I know Action Retro did a series where he ran a PCI SATA controller but I'd rather not use the fat back and run a bunch of cables. I'm willing to sacrifice speed for tidiness.

Is there an adapter plate that will mount the SATA drive in the location of the old drive? From what I understand the mounting pattern is different on new drives.

 

[François]

Or use a CompactFlash Card, with a passive adapter. CF cards are natively IDE drives, so better compatibility and I think enough performance for the relatively low end computer that is the TAM.

 

[retr01]

@JustG, yes, there is an adapter you can use that is IDE and accepts an SSD.

As long as the IDE HDD in the TAM is 2.5" (9.5mm) high with a 44-pin connector (or by using an adapter), you can get this:

Ableconn IIDE-MSAT mSATA SSD to 2.5-Inch IDE Adapter Converter with Aluminum Frame Bracket

This works with vintage PowerBooks, G4 Cube, etc.

@jajan547 may have some insight to share.

 

[François]

It’s the physical installation of whatever replacement drive you’re using that is somewhat bothersome, because nothing will line up with the mounting points on the drive bracket of the TAM.

Double-sided tape to the rescue! It’s the easiest way to do it, I think.

 

[jajan547]

@JustG, yes, there is an adapter you can use that is IDE and accepts an SSD.

As long as the IDE HDD in the TAM is 2.5" (9.5mm) high with a 44-pin connector (or by using an adapter), you can get this:

Ableconn IIDE-MSAT mSATA SSD to 2.5-Inch IDE Adapter Converter with Aluminum Frame Bracket

This works with vintage PowerBooks, G4 Cube, etc.

@jajan547 may have some insight to share.

Actually I agree with what you say but remember the drive is a smaller 2.5 style sized drive.

 

[retr01]

Actually I agree with what you say but remember the drive is a smaller 2.5 style sized drive.

Right. 1.8" high, but there have been reports that a 2.5" can work. Hmmm.

 

[jajan547]

I think THIS is a great solution I've ordered one for my TAM. Plus at USD $15.00 it's quite a bargain.

 

[François]

I had my TAM lock up while reading from the CD-ROM drive when using a similar SD adapter. A CF card (+ passive adapter) being natively IDE is the more compatible solution.

 

[JustG]

I'm dumb, I completely forgot about dosdude1's IDE SD project. I'd be willing to bet that'd be about the best option. Small and knowing him, very compatible.

 

[retr01]

@JustG, do you mean this one?

GitHub - dosdude1/2.5-inch-ide-ssd: A custom-designed IDE SSD for use in any machine that utilizies a 2.5" IDE hard disk.

A custom-designed IDE SSD for use in any machine that utilizies a 2.5" IDE hard disk. - dosdude1/2.5-inch-ide-ssd

github.com

 

[JustG]

That's the one. Need to send him an e-mail and see if he has any left for sale or if he's working on another batch.

 

[jajan547]

That's the one. Need to send him an e-mail and see if he has any left for sale or if he's working on another batch.

Wow I didn't even know about this thank you @JustG for mentioning it and @dosdude1 for creating this neat little solution!

 

[retr01]

This is nice, @dosdude1!