Internal installation of additional eMMC

[Besouro]

I’m planning on purchasing a PBP. It’s one of the rare laptops that carry a processor without the inbuilt USA government backdoor like Intel’s Management Engine or AMD’s Platform (in)Security Processor.

PNB’s limited hardware specs of 4 GB RAM will have to do and the eMMC of 64 GB can be increased. After going through the forum it seems there is no possibility of ordering a PBP with an 128 GB eMMC pre-installed.

My question is if it is possible to install the additional 128 eMMC internally or if it can be installed in the SD card slot? I would be using the PBP while commuting so having an adapter like thing sticking out will be short lived as it will break off.

[Arwen]

I’m planning on purchasing a PBP. It’s one of the rare laptops that carry a processor without the inbuilt USA government backdoor like Intel’s Management Engine or AMD’s Platform (in)Security Processor.

PNB’s limited hardware specs of 4 GB RAM will have to do and the eMMC of 64 GB can be increased. After going through the forum it seems there is no possibility of ordering a PBP with an 128 GB eMMC pre-installed.

My question is if it is possible to install the additional 128 eMMC internally or if it can be installed in the SD card slot? I would be using the PBP while commuting so having an adapter like thing sticking out will be short lived as it will break off.

No, you can not install an additional eMMC internally. You CAN replace the 64GB eMMC module with a 128GB module.

There is a eMMC to USB adapter available on the Pine Store. Works okay.

You can also buy the optional NVMe adapter and use a NVMe SSD drive to expand internal storage. However, the NVMe SSD needs to be a lower power model. There are some listed on the Wiki that user's have tried, with varying results;

Wiki - Pinebook Pro - Hardware Accessory Compatibility: NVMe SSD drives

Last, you can get 512GB MiicroSD cards, (I personally have one and it works fine in my Pinebook Pro).

[Besouro]

Thanks for your elaborate answer. To increase internal storage I’ll purchase the NVMe adapter and a WD Black 250GB SN750 (the Toshiba OCZ RC 100 is no longer sold it seems).

[James Good]

Just to be sure that I understand all of this, the Pinebook Pro comes standard with a maximum of 64GB eMMC which can be increased to 128GB. Like Besouro, I had wanted the added storage to be installed when my PBP was delivered. However, as I was taking everything out of the DHL packaging, there was a plastic case with a PINE64 sticker on it and a line that reads: "SKU: 128G EMMC." If what I have read here is correct (and I can think of no reason to think otherwise), I will need to open the case, find the 64GB chip and put the new 128GB chip in that place. Is this correct?
Thank you.
James Good

[erock22]

I will need to open the case, find the 64GB chip and put the new 128GB chip in that place.  Is this correct?

Yes, and remember the 128GB chip does not have an OS on it so you will need install one after changing it out.

[xmixahlx]

if you don't need fast storage, just use an sdcard and mount at /mnt/Data or something for extra data.

there are consequences using the nvme ssd, particularly increased power draw and lack of suspend. if those are fine for you, then go for it. it is 10x faster (!).

[Arwen]

I wish hibernate worked. On most computers with flash storage, (SATA, eMMC or NVMe), saving the state to disk is perfectly fine. Plus, saves battery power. I mean, other than occasionally wanting instantaneous restore, reading RAM state from flash memory is fast enough. That's what I normally use for my laptops.

[xmixahlx]

i look forward to suspend and hibernate with nvme, too. for now i just change my workflow.