Thinkpads Forum

Greetings!

My name is Chronoculars, and this is my first forum post here, so, hello!

Alright, I'll hop to the point. So, I recently received my Thinkpad T430s, and when I was going to change out the RAM for a new 16 GB kit (it came with a case badge! sweet!), I noticed a port next to the 802.11n adapter that looked like a PCI Express Mini port. Sure enough, after looking through the manual, it was indeed a Mini PCI Express. After realizing this, I got to thinking if it was mSATA compatible. After further reading, it said that "some" models were indeed compatible with mSATA, but it gave no indication as to what the models were, or what I could do to identify one. I tried looking for info online, and all I could find was info on the previous generation of Sandy Bridge units, not the Ivy Bridge that I had.

So, basically, is there any way to tell whether or not my machine is mSATA compatible?

Thanks!

should work with any sata2 or higher spec msata - however lenovo can only guaranteee compatbility with their own line of ssds

Another option would be to buy it somewhere it's easy to return or exchange should it not be compatible like Amazon or Best Buy.

ZaZ wrote:Another option would be to buy it somewhere it's easy to return or exchange should it not be compatible like Amazon or Best Buy.

Yeah, I've considered buying it off Amazon Prime, but I've found better deals elsewhere. By ordering off there, the only advantages I get are free shipping and the return policy, so I'm still on the fence about that.

Here is another issue:

In Lenovo user guide, it is stated that the SSD M.2 SATA unit should be used for caching only.
i.e. it should not be used to run a system.

This is quite surprising as under other brands (I think of embedded systems), the mSATA card can used to boot or even encrypt data.
I was planning to boost speed of the system using an mSATA card.

Under GNU/Linux, data is written safely, using ext4 system.
mSATA cards should support TRIM for long-life.

Should I run a complete system on mSATA or not?
What is your opinion?
What is the underlying technical issue?

Kind regards,

thinkofit wrote:Should I run a complete system on mSATA or not?

Did it for several years and never had a problem. Many other here have done it as well. The benefit of using the mSATA SSD is you still get speed for the boot drive and then can use a much larger platter drive for storage, where speed is not as important, at a lower cost per GB, though that is lessening over time.

Thanks, we share the same ideas
I still wonder why Thinkpad does not recommend using mSATA for system.
Seems very strange nowadays.
Some computers are running entirely on mSATA!

thinkofit wrote: I still wonder why Thinkpad does not recommend using mSATA for system.
Seems very strange nowadays.
Some computers are running entirely on mSATA!

When the T430s was released the mSATA tech was still relatively new and available drives were small. System vendors tend to not revisit their "supported configuration" lists for old models (e.g. they don't add compatibility for higher-density memory modules when they become available). Also possibly some marketing reasons.

The advisory not to use mSATA to hold a system is sill in T4500 model user guide, at least French version.
It might be related to how the mSATA works in case of severe power fault with crypto support.

I see no other explanation.

I have run the OS from the msata slot on my T420s, T430s and X220. No issues at all. I have used the Samsung, Corsair brands with no issues. I think the mSata slot may be only 3 gbs per second whereas the regular hard disk sata is 6 gbs per second hence the recommendation.

kinkng wrote:I have run the OS from the msata slot on my T420s, T430s and X220. No issues at all. I have used the Samsung, Corsair brands with no issues. I think the mSata slot may be only 3 gbs per second whereas the regular hard disk sata is 6 gbs per second hence the recommendation.

Thanks. mSATA is interesting for latency (access to data). The flow speed of 3gbs does not matter and is indeed very good.