Lenovo's ThinkPad P52 can be customized quite extensively because it has plenty of room inside for hardware, including dual slots for M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs. Basic models come with only a hard-disk. The Lenovo Thinkpad T480 has an M.2 slot and a normal SATA bay. If you order with an NVMe SSD, it goes in a caddy with an adapter in the SATA bay. The M.2 slot is optionally used for WAN or a small secondary SSD. However is is only 42 mm long and PCIe only, so third party SSDs are difficult to find. On Lenovo V310z equipped with M.2 SSD and DOS, if you install Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit on it, you may encounter the issue that M.2 SSD (Solid State Disk) cannot be recognized. This is because the operating system image you are going to install does not include NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory express) driver.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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:
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
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.
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!