https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tam7WCszUQU&t=2s

Topic: Storage Technologies: M.2 NVMe vs M.2 SATA vs mSATA + How Modern Storage Really Works

Essential Question:

How can two drives that look the same have completely different speeds and functions?

1. Storage Form Factors vs Interfaces

Form factor = the shape/size of a physical device.

Interface = the communication method a device uses.

Most common storage form factors today:

2.5" SATA SSD

• Looks like a small laptop hard drive
• Connects with SATA cable
• Speed limited to SATA (≈ 550 MB/s)

M.2 (Form Factor Only)

M.2 is not a speed.

M.2 is only a shape that can use:

• SATA
• or NVMe (PCIe)

mSATA (Older Form Factor)

• Older laptop SSD format