Buying SSD M.2 for HP Envy 15t-ae116tx

[barkingmarv]

Hi, I plan on upgrading the hard drive of my Envy laptop.

I am choosing between getting an HDD-SSD setup or by adding an SSD M.2.

However, I am not sure what kind of SSD M.2 to buy because I am quite unfamiliar with the slots available in my laptop and the different possible keys for an M.2 SSD and what among these are compatible.

Suggestions on what setup or type of SSD I can get for my laptop is more than welcome.

Thank you in advance and I hope all of us a Happy New Year!

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Here's the Service Manual:

Manual

This is the 256 gig M.2 offered by HP:

Solid-state drive (M.2) 256 GB 812708-001

It is a SATA M.2 disk with B + M connectors like this:

See p. 40 of the Manual for installation instructions. 

Page 45 shows the location of the M.2 slot...just to the left of where the wired ethernet cable plugs into the chassis. 

Opening the back cover and adding an M.2 disk is going to be something that is not authorized for an end user and will put the warranty at risk, but if done carefully should not (no guaranties) be a problem. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[barkingmarv]

Is there a limit to the length of the SSD? I tried searching online and I am seeing rectangular and square shaped M.2 cards.

Update: Upon checking I can put a 2280 SSD card. Am I restricted to this 80 length? Or is it possible to put something shorter?

Moreover, the limit in the manual states that I can only put a maximum of 250GB. Given this, is it possible to put the marketed 256GB SSD M.2 2280 cards given that the storage size is normally below that anyway?

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@Huffer wrote:

Here's the Service Manual:

Manual

This is the 256 gig M.2 offered by HP:

Solid-state drive (M.2) 256 GB 812708-001

It is a SATA M.2 disk with B + M connectors like this:

See p. 40 of the Manual for installation instructions. 

Page 45 shows the location of the M.2 slot...just to the left of where the wired ethernet cable plugs into the chassis. 

Opening the back cover and adding an M.2 disk is going to be something that is not authorized for an end user and will put the warranty at risk, but if done carefully should not (no guaranties) be a problem. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

---

[Huffer]

The only compatible M.2 form factor is 2280 or 22mm wide and 80mm long. You are not limited to a 256 gig that is just the largest HP sells with it but it does have to be the SATA B + M type, not the NVME (PCIe) type.