T470 SSD or LTE-card in WWAN slot

[dreas1957]

Hi all,

I bought a second-hand T470 a while ago to start switching from Windows to Linux, without giving up Windows at first.

I came across the information in various forums that you can install a SSD-card in the WWAN-slot for additional storage.

My T470 has a Sierra Wireless AirPrime modem card in the WWAN slot, can I just remove that and install a SSD ?

Thanks, Andreas

[axur-delmeria]

Yes, you can remove the WWAN card and replace it with an M.2 2242 SATA SSD, as noted in the T470 Spec Sheet.

You should also cover/insulate the antenna connectors, as the exposed metal parts could make contact with electronic components on the system board and/or SSD.

[dreas1957]

Update:

I bought a SSD, removed the LTE-card, installed SSD, but it does not show anywhere. Send SSD back as faulty, got full refund. Bought a different SSD, tried again, did not work either.
Contacted Lenovo tecnical support and was informed as follows:

Hi Andreas,

Thank you for contacting Lenovo Technical Support.

Regarding you inquiry on replacing the SSD-card to be used as WWAN SSD-card is not compatible with your machine T470-ThinkPad- Type 20JN. This device only support LTE connection.

So there it is, not as easy as we all thought, might help someone in the future!

Thanks for your support!

[RealBlackStuff]

Exactly which SSDs (make/model) did you try in the WWAN-slot?
I read somewhere that you can put an NVMe drive (such as the WD SN520) in the T470 WWAN slot, but you can NOT boot from it!
Only SATA drives can boot from that WWAN slot.

[axur-delmeria]

Which particular SSDs did you purchase? At least state the brand and model.

[dreas1957]

Hi everyone,

don't know why you asking for the make/model of my SSDs, the statement from tech-support says:

This device only support LTE connection

which means it can not support ANY SSD at all.

[RealBlackStuff]

And you always believe support?
If your username includes your birth year, you should know better.
Regardless, why can't you answer a simple question?

[axur-delmeria]

don't know why you asking for the make/model of my SSDs, the statement from tech-support says:

This device only support LTE connection

which means it can not support ANY SSD at all.

Because

1. tech support could be wrong. or
2. you could've bought the wrong type of SSD

We're just trying to help here.

[dreas1957]

for what it's worth:

- first I bought a no-name el-cheapo from Ebay, did not work, sent back , full refund
- then, after more research on Linux-forum, Reddit, Lenovo forum, I bought

Transcend 250GB M.2 2242 SSD SATA3 B+M Key TLC [TS250GMTS425S]

- same thing , installed , does not show anywhere...

[RealBlackStuff]

Have you tried removing the main HDD/SSD and leaving only the Transcend in the WWAN slot?

[dreas1957]

but then I don't have an operating system, what exactly am I supposed to do ?

[RealBlackStuff]

Install an OS on that SSD and use the main drive for storage.