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An M.2 SSD (Solid State Drive) is a type of high-performance storage device that utilizes the M.2 interface standard. Previously known as NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor), it is designed for compact and efficient storage solutions in computers and other electronic devices. Characterized by its small size and fast data transfer speeds, M.2 SSDs are commonly used in laptops, desktops, ultrabooks, and tablets. They connect to the motherboard via PCIe or SATA interfaces, offering quicker read and write speeds compared to traditional 2.5-inch SSDs and HDDs, while being more compact and lightweight.
M.2 SSD is a new type of SSD interface, but unlike the traditional 2.5-inch SSD, an M.2 SSD looks like a stick of gum, usually measuring 22mm (width) x 80mm (length).
This is an image of an M.2 SSD: 
M.2 SSD is a type of solid-state drive introduced by Intel, serving as a new interface to replace mSATA. For the latest generation of M.2 SSDs, though they utilize a SATA interface, they still differ significantly from traditional ones and enjoy considerable recognition. Thanks to their faster read speeds and larger capacities, they are widely used in both laptops and desktop computers in the current market.
SATA vs SSD: Which One Should You Choose? [In-Depth Comparison]
Choosing between a SATA hard drive and an SSD can be quite tough. Which one should you pick? Is it time for an upgrade? Read on to learn about the comparison between SATA and SSD, then decide which storage drive suits you best.
M.2 SSD Types
Most M.2 SSDs are “22 x 80 mm” in size, but others exist. You can tell the size of an M.2 SSD by its name or the four or five-digit number on its PCB (printed circuit board). The first two numbers represent the width, and the remaining ones are the length (e.g., M.2 Type-2280).
Here are some common M.2 SSD form factors:
M.2 Type-2230 (22mm x 30mm)
M.2 Type-2242 (22mm x 42mm)
M.2 Type-2260 (22mm x 60mm)
M.2 Type-2280 (22mm x 80mm)
M.2 Type-22110 (22mm x 110mm)
Advantages and Disadvantages of M.2 SSDs
Now that we're familiar with the M.2 SSD and its different types, let's look at its pros and cons.
The main advantages of an M.2 SSD are its smaller size and faster read speeds.
Smaller than traditional 2.5-inch SSDs, M.2 SSDs are becoming more common in slim gaming laptops because they take up less space. The current mainstream SATA 3.0 interface has a maximum transfer speed of 6 Gbps, which can achieve actual speeds of around 560 MB/s. In contrast, M.2 SSDs using the NVMe protocol can reach read speeds of up to 32 Gbps, or about 3.5 GB/s – six times faster than a traditional SATA SSD.
There are, however, some downsides to M.2 SSDs.
Firstly, in terms of price, M.2 SSDs are indeed more expensive than HDDs. Additionally, SATA SSDs are less costly than NVMe SSDs with an M.2 interface.
Another downside is that NVMe M.2 SSDs are small in size but powerful, yet most NVMe M.2 SSDs don't come with a heat sink, and they generate a lot of heat that's slow to dissipate, resulting in higher temperatures that further affect the SSD's performance.