UBOX Micro is a high-performance, ultra-slim adapter that converts a standard M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (22 × 80 mm) into a 7 mm-thick, 2.5-inch U.2 NVMe SSD. It’s a flexible, durable upgrade path for servers, workstations, and embedded/industrial systems that rely on U.2 bays and backplanes. By aligning to the U.2 (formerly SFF-8639) standard and supporting up to four PCIe lanes via NVMe, UBOX Micro lets you deploy fast M.2 storage in hot-swap U.2 infrastructures with minimal friction.

Key Features

 

• Ultra-thin 7 mm Design

Converts an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD into a standard 2.5" U.2 NVMe SSD (7 mm z-height) for tight-space installations and dense drive bays. 

 

• Purpose-Built for 2280 NVMe

 

Secure fit and stable mounting for M.2 2280 (22 × 80 mm) NVMe drives. 

 

• Service-friendly upgrades

 

Reuse U.2 infrastructure to change M.2 NVMe SSDs fast—no new trays or backplanes required.

• Standards-Based U.2 Interface (SFF-8639)

Matches U.2 size, port placement, and electrical characteristics for straightforward integration with U.2 hosts, backplanes, and mobile racks.

• High-Speed Data Path (up to 40 Gbps*)

NVMe over PCIe ensures low latency and high throughput; U.2 supports up to x4 PCIe lanes for enterprise-class performance. Actual bandwidth depends on host/backplane PCIe generation and configuration.

 

• Metal Enclosure for Protection & Passive Cooling

Rigid shell guards the SSD and helps dissipate heat in harsh or vibration-prone environments. Integrated thermal pads enhance heat transfer to the enclosure to reduce throttling under sustained loads. 

 

• Integrated Thermal Management

 

Pre-applied thermal interface pads improve contact with the SSD controller and NAND, helping maintain peak performance during intensive workloads. 

Benefits

 

• Drop-In U.2 Compatibility

 

Use common U.2 backplanes, hot-swap bays, and service workflows—ideal for rapid maintenance and scalable deployments.

 

• Sustained Performance Under Load

 

Thermal pads and a metal heat-spreading chassis help limit temperature-induced throttling for more consistent throughput over long transfers.

 

• Rugged, Serviceable Form Factor

 

Protects the bare M.2 module in a 2.5" carrier that’s easier to handle, label, inventory, and replace in data-center or field environments. (General industry practice for U.2 serviceability.)

 

• Maximize Existing Infrastructure

 

Repurpose U.2 bays to run widely available M.2 NVMe SSDs—reducing costs and expanding model choices for capacity and performance.

 

Possible Applications

 

• Enterprise & Cloud Servers: NVMe boot drives, caching tiers, and hot-swap data pools using existing U.2 backplanes.

 

• Professional Workstations: 8K/RAW video editing, VFX, CAD/CAE scratch disks with serviceable U.2 sleds.

 

• AI/ML & HPC Nodes: Fast local datasets, feature stores, and checkpointing where sustained NVMe throughput matters.

 

• Edge/Industrial PCs: Ruggedized storage in compact 2.5" U.2 slots for factory, transportation, or telco deployments.

 

• Lab & Homelab: Clean cable-managed U.2 drive cages while standardizing on cost-effective M.2 NVMe media.

FAQ

 

Q1: What speed should I expect?

A: UBOX Micro preserves the NVMe x4 path. Actual performance depends on your SSD and host/backplane PCIe gen. As a reference, PCIe Gen4 x4 is up to ~64 Gbps theoretical; Gen3 x4 is ~32 Gbps.

 

Q2: Is it hot-swappable?

A: If your chassis/backplane supports U.2 hot-swap, the converted drive can participate in the same workflows, since U.2 was specified for enterprise hot-swap in 2.5" bays.

 

Q3: Which M.2 sizes are supported?

A: 2280 only (22 mm × 80 mm). This ensures a secure fit and optimal thermal contact.

 

Q4: Does it work with M.2 SATA drives?

A: No. This adapter is for NVMe M.2 (PCIe) drives. M.2 SATA uses AHCI and different electrical signaling.

 

Q5: Why choose an adapter over native U.2 SSDs?

A: To reuse U.2 infrastructure while tapping the broader M.2 market for capacity/price flexibility—without changing trays or backplanes.

 

Footnotes

 

1. U.2 is the industry name for the SFF-8639 connector/family, supporting up to four PCIe lanes and designed for enterprise hot-swap.

 

2. 7 mm U.2 form-factor drives are common in modern enterprise lines.

 

3. PCIe Gen4 x4 ≈ 64 Gbps theoretical bandwidth (aggregate) referenced for context. Real-world results vary by platform, firmware, and workload.

Performance test result for reference. The test result will vary depend on the test environment.