M.2 Slot Devices
M.2 Slot Devices Compatible
Probably the most annoying thing for any computer geek is the lack of proper Wi-Fi connection. Whether we are gamers or casual computer users, having seamless Internet is always a priority. However, we may not be blessed with this all the time, and that’s when we’ll need a M.2 WiFi card to help us out.
There are many different M.2 module sizes because of the different types of M.2 cards ranging from SSDs to Wide-Area Network (WAN) cards. For SSD-based M.2 modules, the most commonly occurring sizes are 22mm wide x30mm long, 22mm x. Click here for our growing list of devices with M.2 NGFF expansion slots. (Updated 6/19/16) M.2 solid state drives, formerly M.2 NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor), are a great option for upgrading today’s thin/ultra portable notebooks, Ultrabooks, Chromebooks, Mini PCs, and more. There is a PCI-E m.2 drive and a SATA m.2 drive. Doublecheck your motherboard's user manual and make sure you don't have the drive plugged into the wrong slot. If it only has one slot then make sure you didn't order the wrong type of drive. Apparently they are not cross compatible, PCI-E only works with PCI-E and SATA only works with SATA. An M.2 SSD is a small form factor solid-state drive (SSD) that is used in internally mounted storage expansion cards. M.2 SSDs conform to a computer industry specification and are designed to enable high-performance storage in thin, power-constrained devices, such as ultrabooks and tablet computers. To begin with, what is an M.2 slot? The M.2 format, formerly known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is technically a replacement for the mSATA standard, which was very popular among manufacturers of ultra-compact laptops and other small accessories. The M.2 format is specially designed for manufacturers to replace various specific devices.
To make the purchase process easier, we have compiled a list of the best M.2 WiFi cards that are available today. Let’s take a look:
Best M.2 WiFi Card
1. Intel 7260NGW Dual Band Wireless
One of the most popular M.2 wireless cards on Amazon, this one is known for being in the affordable range and providing the best experience. It supports Windows 7, Windows 8, and Linux.
Its features are as follows:
- It is fast and provides more coverage than average competitors
- Its capacity is more as well at 802.11ac
- It is Bluetooth 4.0 smart ready
- It has an optimized power saving mode, which helps save battery life when the card is inactive
- It allows roaming among access points
Be sure to check compatibility of your laptop before making a purchase. Also, one thing you should remember is that even though it is compatible with Linux, you may not be able to enjoy all the features.
2. Intel 8265 Generic, 2230, 2×2 AC+BT (8265NGWMG)
This one seems to be fairly popular among users as well as it brings with it 3x faster WiFi speed in comparison to 802.11n and is comfortably in the affordable range.
A few of its best features are as follows:
- You can enjoy up to 3x bandwidth per stream
- It has no antennas
- Users have repeatedly said that this is a much better replacement for Killer adapters that Dell devices usually come with
- It is easy to install and comes with a pictorial instruction guide to help you through the process With this M.2 WiFi card, all your disconnection and slow connection problems are bound to be solved.
3. Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 802.11ac
This WiFi card is known for its 3x faster speed when compared to 802.11n, 433 Mbps bandwidth (Which is also higher in comparison) and more capacity.
Let’s take a look at a few more features:
- It offers broader coverage
- The battery life is also better because of data transmit efficiencies, which ensure that power consumption is minimal
- Network connectivity remains intact even with low power consumption. Thus, updates to social networks, emails, et cetera continue even when the device is in stand-by mode.
- The card is optimized for devices with thin and light design
- It works well on multiple platforms thanks to its multiple form factors
- It connects easily through Bluetooth 4.0 not just with other Bluetooth products but also with keyboards, mice, headsets, et cetera.
4. M.2 (NGFF) Wireless Card, Wireless Card M.2 (NGFF)
Fairly popular among users, this M.2 WiFi card is slightly more expensive than its aforementioned counterparts. It is a passive adapter that works on PCs that convert NGFF( Half-size mini-card) to the standard PCI-Express 1X slot or USB 9-pin header.
Below are some of its main features:
- It easily works with USB interfaces such as Bluetooth Mini Card, WiMAX, GPS, HSPA, WWAN, CDMA, and 3G
- It is a PCI Express mini card to PCI Express adapter
- It can be used without any software drivers
- It comes with two 6DB antennas
5. Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 NGFF Wi-Fi Card
This Wi-Fi card is 3rd generation 802.11ac, dual band. It allows a speed of up to 867 Mbps and comes with higher capacity than usual.
Let’s take a look at some of its features:
- It promises much better speed than 2×2 802.11 n
- It has 3x more data capacity
- It comes with WiDi support so that you experience seamless connection even on the big screen
- This Wi-Fi card has a Bluetooth 4.2 Smart Ready through which connecting to Bluetooth, and similar devices is a breeze.
- You must remember to check compatibility before you purchase this Wi-Fi card. It works only on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Also, it only works with certain devices. For example, you can’t use it with Thinkpad, IBM, or Lenovo.
6. Intel 7265 IEEE Bluetooth 4.0 – Wi-Fi Combo Adapter M.2 2230, 1216
Affordable and easy to use, the Intel 7265 IEEE Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card come with M.2 2230 and M.2 1216 form factors. It also has Microsoft InstantGo Support, which means that connectivity is untouched even with low power consumption.
Here are some of its features:
- When compared to 802.11n, the connectivity and Wi-Fi speed is much higher
- The bandwidth is also higher in comparison
- It works with a white list very well
- Even with distance, the connectivity and performance are noticeably good
- Dropped connections are fewer than before, as the user’s state
- It consumes less power and offers a long battery life.
You may need to find the right antennas for this M.2 WiFi card because many users have reported that the antennas that are suggested don’t really work with the device.
7. Intel 7260.HMWG.R Dual Band Wireless Network Adapter
Many users have sworn that this is the best M.2 WiFi card they have come across because it promises better Internet speed and great connectivity. The connection is stable, and the product truly lives up to the name of Intel.
Its features are below:
- It is Bluetooth 4.0 smart ready
- It comes with Intel Smart Connect technology
- It has WiFi hotspot assistant
- It has the larger capacity than the rest of its kind
- Offers Intel wireless display
- You may need to spend some time figuring out the setup and installation, but once that is done, it is a great find.
What is the M2 Expansion Slot? Definition and Benefits
For the replacement of the mSATA specification standard for the mounted internal expansion boards in the computing machines, in 2013, the M.2 came into the market. It was previously known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF).
The Mini PCIe also a good standard to improve the usage of the internal expansion in computer boards. But, to create a better environment regarding performance and space, a standard like M.2 was needed.
It has a different physical structure than the Mini PCIe which means that you cannot install the mSATA drives or other bigger wireless network cards in the M.2 slot. You cannot attach the incompatible device to it thanks to its different key structure.
M.2 has various versions which allow it to take advantage of USB, Audio, PCIe, Display, SATA and I2C buses. The specifications on the M.2 slot defines which kind of card (single or multiple keyed) can be used with it.
After getting a brief knowledge about M.2 and its working, let’s have a look at the advantages of it.
Benefits of using M.2 WiFi card expansion slot
- The M.2 slot allows having more flexible and faster storage and expansion. For example, by using the M.2 SSD, the data transfer speed can be increased up to 30 GB/S which is almost 5 times higher than the traditional SSD.
- It comes in different sizes like smaller or larger and thinner or thicker, so depending on the space that is available in your system, you can pick up the right length of the slot.
- It helps to take advantages of both the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) and NVME (Non-Volatile Memory Express) command modes to make an easier interface structure.
- The M.2 expansion slot allows using the feature called as ‘DevSleep.’ This feature reduces the power consumption that the M.2 SSD uses to keep some background service on for quick recovery when the system goes into the sleep mode.
Requirements for using an M.2 WiFi card
Two main conditions need to be fulfilled to use the M.2 WiFi card in your system; space and key. The system should have a separate space for the M.2 slot in which the M.2 networking card will be inserted. The connector you are using also needs to be having the same type of key types as on the M.2 expansion slot.
Who can use this M.2 expansion slot?
If you have a modern computer system, then most probably it should have the M.2 expansion slot. It’s not possible for the advanced laptop users as such machines nowadays come with compact designs that are not suitable for the haphazard expansions. For the desktop PC users, it will be easier to have such expansion slot on your compatible motherboard. Check your motherboard manufacturer site for checking the compatibility.
There you go! We hope this list really helped you pick the right WiFi card for your device. If we missed anything here or if you have any cards that you think can make a list, please let us know!
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The Problem to Clone M2 SSD
What is M.2 SSD?
M.2 Slot Devices Definition
Before learning how to clone M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD, you may want to know these information about M.2 SSD.
M.2 SSD (formerly known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) SSDs) are smaller and more suited for modern ultraportable devices (Ultrabooks and tablets) compared to older SATA SSDs as they allow for different module widths and lengths to adjust for different connectors. As a result, M2 SSDs are known for their small size and fast speeds.
Why clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD?
Generally speaking, many small devices like laptops, Ultrabooks, and tablets use a small capacity M.2 SSD drive as their boot drive and HDDs for storage. Once you have the OS, applications, and games installed, you’ll soon find that the drive has run out of space or has very slow respond. To fix this you will need to clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD drive, then you will:
Get more storage space.
Speed up your system.
Get shorter boot time.
Best M.2 SSD Cloner - AOMEI Backupper
To clone to M.2 SSD safely, you could try the specialist M.2 SSD cloner in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP - AOMEI Backupper Professional - that clones everything (including Windows OS, installed programs, and personal files, etc.) from a M.2 SSD drive to new M.2 SSD without affecting the original OS and data.
Besides, it will clone to M.2 SSD with simple clicks, accelerate the overall performance for the M.2 SSD with SSD Alignment, and ensure it's bootable after clone without any issues.
Please download AOMEI Backupper Professional 30 day free trial and have it a go (Clone features in free trial can only be demonstrated, please upgrade to enjoy):
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Win 10/8.1/8/7/XP
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How to Clone M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD Easily in Windows 10/8/7?
Here is the step-by-step guide to safely clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD in Windows 10/8/7:
✤✤Before cloning M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD, do the following✤✤:
☂Make sure that the new larger M.2 SSD is compatible with your motherboard, or consult your computer manufacturer.
☂Install the larger M.2 SSD correctly. Please disconnect battery or cut off the power supply before installing.
>> On a laptop, open M.2 slot, slide and fix the SSD.
>> On a desktop, open the host cover, find the M.2 connector (labeled with SATA/PCIe), and install the SSD.
☂Prepare an M.2 to USB adapter to connect the larger M.2 SSD with machine if there is only one M.2 slot on your computer.
☂Initial the M.2 SSD in Disk Management and format with MBR or GPT partition style according to your demands.
M.2 Slot Devices App
Step 1. Perform this M.2 SSD cloner after installation, select Clone > Disk Clone. Click System Clone to move operating system only to another M.2 SSD if you prefer.
Step 2. Select the M.2 SSD system disk as the source disk and hit Next to continue.
Step 3. Choose the larger M.2 SSD as the target disk, and then press Next to continue.
★Tips: If there is any data on the destination M.2 disk, it will be erased during the cloning process. Please backup files before the M.2 SSD cloning.
Step 4. Tick SSD Alignment to speed up for M.2 SSD, and then press Start Clone to safely clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD in Windows 10/8/7.
Usually, this only take a short amount of time, but the larger the disk is, the longer time will be. Because the cloning time depends on the data size of the source m.2 drive.
★Helpful Tips:
1. Sector by sector clone: It enables you to clone all the sectors (blocks) on the source M.2 SSD even it’s blank or bad sector, and much longer time will spend. Uncheck this option will skip the bad sectors if there exists.
2. You could click on Edit Partitions to resize the partitions on the destination disk and you could fully use the storage space on the larger M.2 SSD. There are three options that you may need:
✍Copy without resizing partitions: it’s selected by default. There will be an unallocated space available after cloning smaller disk to larger disk if this option checked. Then, you could merge unallocated space to C drive or other existing partitions, or even create a new partition to store data separately.
✍Add unused space to all partitions.
✍Manually adjust partition size.
If you would like to adjust the partition size automatically during the cloning process, please select the second option or third option.
How to Boot from Cloned Larger M.2 SSD?
After the cloning process has finished, to boot from the cloned larger M.2 SSD correctly, do the following:
For the computer that only one M.2 slot: shut down your computer, remove the old M.2 SSD, and replace with the newly cloned larger M.2 SSD, boot from the cloned M.2 SSD.
For the computer that has more than one M.2 slot: Restart your computer and repeatedly press a certain key (usually F2, F10, F12, ESC, DEL, etc.) to enter BIOS or UEFI BIOS, change boot priority to the cloned larger M.2 drive.
Remember to replace the mounting screws to secure the M.2 SSD drive in your machine.
Now you have mastered cloning M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD, you might want to try cloning a larger HDD to smaller SSD, make sure the smaller SSD can hold all the data from the larger HDD, cloning a specific partition to the target disk using the Partition Clonefunction, or even cloning MBR disk to GPT disk, or vice versa.
Another secure way to perform M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD migration when there is only one M.2 slot is that backup M.2 SSD, replace smaller M.2 SSD with larger one, and then restore image to the larger M.2 SSD. AOMEI Backupper Professional could do the same task. For detailed steps, please refer to how to upgrade laptop drive via backup and restore.
Summing Up
To clone M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD safely, you need to first check that the new M.2 SSD drive is compatible with your motherboard and carefully install the drive correctly. Next, use powerful M.2 cloner like AOMEI Backupper Professional to clone the disk ensuring that it will boot without any issues.
If you are using Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019 (including R2), SBS 2003, 2008, 2011, please try AOMEI Backupper Server and follow the same steps above, and more advanced features provided, command line backup/restore/clone, universal restore, real time file sync, etc.