Yep, Steam Deck, Surface tablets, notebooks, all kinds of devices can fit these. The smaller they are, the more likely they are for ultra-portable devices.
Silicon Motion's customers can make NVMe SSDs in a variety of form-factors using this controller - M.2 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280 / 22110.. even U.2 or U.3 if they want. But, given the specs and capabilities, it is likely we will only see M.2 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280 SSDs using the SM2268XT.
Plenty of mid-range laptops will ship with an OEM 2230 m.2 SSD, even though they have room for a 2280. Most low and mid range consumer SSDs are configured in 2280 size, even though they don't require a larger PCB. And yes, the smaller sizes should fit in larger slots just fine.
Somehow, I really doubt laptop makers would opt for a slot size that is less than 2280. They really like to throw in whatever SSD that meets minimum performance requirements they can get their hands on, and that SSD might not always be the smaller 2230 or 2242 size.
Surface hardware is relatively uncommon and as others have already pointed out, unlikely to be upgraded by their owners. They are generally treated in a manner similar to phones and other tablets which is as disposable consumer electronics.
Actually, I can see companies making ultra-cheap models with only 2230/42 slots. They might use it for battery space, PCB space, or just simply because they can. I've seen notebooks with room for a 2.5" SATA drive taken up by M.2 mounting points, simply because they could cheaply re-use the old model's die-casting for the shell that mounts the motherboard (Lenovo). It's always best to research what you're about to buy to watch out for this kind of issue :)
The third slot in my old (2018?) laptop is a 2242. I always assumed it was for the optional Optane support. Not that that's a thing any more, of course.
Fitting a short m.2 drive in a device designed to accept a longer one requires a small passive bracket. Fitting a longer m.2 drive in a device designed for a shorter one requires a dremel and prayer.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
17 Comments
Back to Article
Threska - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - link
Kind of small. Will it even fit in any machines?bernstein - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - link
fits steam deckDrkrieger01 - Friday, February 17, 2023 - link
Yep, Steam Deck, Surface tablets, notebooks, all kinds of devices can fit these. The smaller they are, the more likely they are for ultra-portable devices.Maltz - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - link
Anecdotally, every device I've seen that can accept the typical 80mm drives also has posts to accept the shorter ones.cbm80 - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - link
Not true, they support 42mm but not 30mm. But they sell M2 extenders.ganeshts - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - link
Silicon Motion's customers can make NVMe SSDs in a variety of form-factors using this controller - M.2 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280 / 22110.. even U.2 or U.3 if they want. But, given the specs and capabilities, it is likely we will only see M.2 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280 SSDs using the SM2268XT.meacupla - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - link
Plenty of mid-range laptops will ship with an OEM 2230 m.2 SSD, even though they have room for a 2280.Most low and mid range consumer SSDs are configured in 2280 size, even though they don't require a larger PCB.
And yes, the smaller sizes should fit in larger slots just fine.
ballsystemlord - Thursday, February 16, 2023 - link
The problem is that now laptop makers will decide to stop making laptops with large slots so SSD capacity will not be able to be upgraded.meacupla - Friday, February 17, 2023 - link
Somehow, I really doubt laptop makers would opt for a slot size that is less than 2280. They really like to throw in whatever SSD that meets minimum performance requirements they can get their hands on, and that SSD might not always be the smaller 2230 or 2242 size.Only Apple is dumb enough to do that.
artifex - Friday, February 17, 2023 - link
Surface Pros have 2230 slots.meacupla - Friday, February 17, 2023 - link
Oh, right, I forgot about Microsoft copying all the worst aspects (low repairability/upgradeability score) of Apple products.Wereweeb - Saturday, February 18, 2023 - link
If you have a Surface you don't care about upgradeability or repairability or cleanability (Do they still come with glued-on carpets?)PeachNCream - Saturday, February 18, 2023 - link
Surface hardware is relatively uncommon and as others have already pointed out, unlikely to be upgraded by their owners. They are generally treated in a manner similar to phones and other tablets which is as disposable consumer electronics.TheinsanegamerN - Wednesday, March 1, 2023 - link
That's a tablet where every square MM must be accounted for. Laptops not so much.Drkrieger01 - Friday, February 17, 2023 - link
Actually, I can see companies making ultra-cheap models with only 2230/42 slots. They might use it for battery space, PCB space, or just simply because they can. I've seen notebooks with room for a 2.5" SATA drive taken up by M.2 mounting points, simply because they could cheaply re-use the old model's die-casting for the shell that mounts the motherboard (Lenovo). It's always best to research what you're about to buy to watch out for this kind of issue :)artifex - Saturday, February 18, 2023 - link
The third slot in my old (2018?) laptop is a 2242. I always assumed it was for the optional Optane support. Not that that's a thing any more, of course.edzieba - Friday, February 17, 2023 - link
Fitting a short m.2 drive in a device designed to accept a longer one requires a small passive bracket. Fitting a longer m.2 drive in a device designed for a shorter one requires a dremel and prayer.