M2.SSD vs M2.NVme - Which is the best for you?

Hard disks and solid-state drives are an essential part of our technology, and we’re continuing to see great developments in form and function across the industry. There has been much debate and discussion around hard disk drives versus solid state drives and where technology is heading. SSDs have now become widely adopted, and prices have dropped to make it a more affordable tech overall, and we’ll look at some of the more exciting aspects of SSDs as they enter the market. 

What is M.2

Within SSD, we’re seeing the arrival of M.2, the newest form factor that has entered the market, and the impact it is making. We’ll look at M2 in the context of the NVMe interface and how that helps improve the form and function of an SSD to help you make the best decisions possible.

The M.2 slot is 22m wide, and we’ve seen different lengths based on motherboard slots. M.2 has become a popular form factor because no cables are needed, and the drives can fit into the M.2 slot, using the CPU as the connection.

M2.SSD versus M2.NVme

So where does M2.NVMe fit into this, and is NVMe worth it? 

The short answer is, yes, the NVMe is worth it.

The long answer is, we’ll have to take a step back to understand the evolution of the SSD drive and where NVMe fits into that. In the past, storage devices used SATA cables for data transfers and power. Multiple cables, as we all know, lead to more problems, ultimately in terms of clutter and potential risks to PC cases. Moreover, SATA cables were slow. Although perhaps faster than their HDD counterparts, SSDs weren’t performing as well. 

NVMe changes that, however. Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a new standard specification for storage drives that can be connected directly to the interface. This allows the drive to communicate directly with the CPU rather than the motherboard. M2.NVMe drives slot into M.2 and connects via NVMe to reach the CPU.

The result? Faster speeds and less clutter. Only SSDs drives that use NVMe see the benefits. Using this kind of drive reduces processing time, increases read/write times, and eliminates the cable clutter that tends to come with drives.

While SATA drives are still a fast alternative, M.2 NVMe is definitely where the future is heading. When we talk about the difference between M.2 SSD vs. NVMe, there isn’t necessarily one. M.2 is the form factor,  while NVMe is an interface.

Ultimately, if you’re looking to upgrade your storage options, then it is definitely worth looking at M2.NVMe SSD drives as a viable option. You’ll see faster speeds, easy installation, and without visible cables for a cleaner look overall. 

At Satechi, we’re always here to help you achieve a minimal and clean look for your desk, and we have plenty of options to upgrade your home office space to something more sleek and minimal, just like your storage devices! 

The Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station is the perfect home office addition that reduces messy cables and leaves your desk neat while still charging your devices. Or you can opt for wireless accessories such as the M1 Wireless Mouse for Mac or Compact Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard for functional and stylish peripherals that add a touch of minimalism to your workspace.