Got a used HP Probook laptop. Just needs a new drive. HP specs say it has an m.2 2280 slot. So that’s what I ordered. Guess I needed to look closer.
edit: Thanks for all the info, guys. Different types of keys are explained here. Gonna have to look for a sketchy no-name brand.
That indeed looks like an M.2
What is so infuriating about that?
Turns out there are different types of M.2 keys.
I’m confused, that looks like an m.2 slot, and it’s not like it could really be anything else. Msata is a dead standard and looks quite different. The slot would be too wide.
The difference in keys is explained here.
The port is a B key m.2, while the ssd is an M key m.2
B keys are used in SATA m.2 ssds, while M keys are pcie nvme m.2 ssds. You bought an nvme m.2 ssd, but needed a sata m.2 ssd.
(You can tell by how there are 28 pins on that side of the port, and 29 on the ssd. That matches b and m keys, respectively)
I literally ran into this myself recently replacing the SSD inside an old Chromebox.
I was literally unaware that it was an entirely different spec based on keying.
Further, it seems I can’t find any reputable companies that make a SATA M.2 SSD in the 2242 size anymore. I can only find old Western Digitals that are more than double the cost of an equivalent NVMe simply because WD doesn’t actually make SATA M.2s in that size anymore.
The only companies that make them in that size are all weird bogus never-heard-of-them-and-the-reviews-are-terrible.
You COULD have gotten a 2230 which is smaller, and gotten a 3d printed filler part to fill the space. I did that with one of my laptops because the 2242 is a pain to find.
Here’s more info on the types of keys.
~~I’m going to look for an adapter. ~~sata m.2 ssd
In your case, an adapter wouldn’t really be possible. The other way around maybe would have been, but adapting Sata to pcie just isn’t possible. Your best bet would be to return that ssd and buy a sata m.2 one.
Ok, sketchy no-name brand it is, then. One of these perhaps?
I got the laptop free so a sketchy no-name drive is fine for my needs.
…do what now?
No diss. I read that slot comment above you and went, “yep, yep, yep, makes sense. Man our standards are often dumb.”
Laughed with joy at your comment, because I totally get how foreign this shit is to so many people. It’s like if I walked up to a building engineer asking how they know that iron beam is safe for another 50 years via their skills and I’d just be like “…do what now?”
Back in the 80s & 90s you had to configure settings like IRQ and bad sectors.
Reading up on HP ProBooks and it seems like they primarily use M2 SATA.EDIT: Wow, trying to find in-depth tech specs on HP laptops is horrible. I know less now than when I started looking.
This is why I avoid HP laptops (as well as Asus) like plagues.
I agree, but it was free.
I know the feeling. I logged into HP hoping to look up the serial number. All it would tell me is that the warranty is expired.
