![]() The reality is a little more complicated-for example, a single M.2 slot only has four PCI Express lanes, a quarter of the total generally desired for graphics cards-but the flexibility for this tiny little slot is impressive. That means that-potentially-any storage or disk drive, GPU or port expansion, or low-power gadget that uses a USB connection, could all be mounted on a card plugged into the M.2 slot at the same time. M.2 is a slot that can interface with SATA 3.0 (the cable that’s probably connected to your desktop PC’s storage drive right now), PCI Express 3.0 (the default interface for graphics cards and other major expansion devices), and even USB 3.0. M.2 is more than just an evolutionary form factor. Potentially, it could supersede the whole aging Serial ATA format altogether. They’re simply sealed within the bodies and unable to be upgraded by most users. That may seem surprising, since most M.2 drives sold at retail are intended for use in full-sized desktops, but M.2 has effectively replaced mSATA hard drives and SSDs in compact laptops like Apple’s MacBook or Dell’s XPS 13. ![]() Where Did M.2 Come From?įormerly known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), the M.2 format is technically a replacement for the mSATA standard, which was popular with manufacturers of super-compact laptops and other small gadgets. But actually upgrading to an M.2 drive or accessory requires a little forethought. The M.2 format is designed for manufacturers to replace a variety of specific devices, do it in a tiny space, and require very little power. There’s a new open format sweeping the world of performance PCs, and it’s…well, complicated.
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