HP EliteBook 645 G9 – Conflicting information about secondary M.2 (WWAN) slot

[Vladimir304]

Hello,

I’m looking for an official clarification regarding the secondary M.2 slot's SSD supprt on the HP EliteBook 645 G9, as there is conflicting information between HP documents and third-party reviews.

In this video "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGFXBkvn31k", the secondary slot is a a B-keyed slot, and he did fit a B-keyed-only WWAN.

But here, "https://eang.it/hp-elitebook-645-g9-review/", it looks like an M-keyed slot, and he did fit a B+M keyed SSD (it said "WWAN slot: supports NVMe M.2 2242 M-keyed SSDs").

In "c07959341.pdf", it says that the slot is 2230

But, in "https://eang.it/hp-elitebook-645-g9-review/", it says that the slot is 2242

So, I asked @HPSupport in a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGFXBkvn31k) about the laptop: 
"what is the physical size of the SSD supported in this secondary slot instead of the WWAN?"

and they replied with:

"I understand that you need to know about installing SSD instead of the WWAN.
I will do my best to assist you.
HP does not recommend upgrading or downgrading hardware parts or software that is bundled with the product as It may affect the manufacturer's warranty and performance, however, you could change the configuration at your own discretion."

Although HP mentioned in their official website and documents that it supports a secondary SSD, and they also said in "c08015307.pdf":

"Additional storage
Take more of your files with you on the road with an optional second SSD drive."

And, in "c07959341.pdf", they wrote: 

"Secondary M.2 Storage (Optional)"

I am not asking wether it is recommended or not, I'm asking wether the slot actually supports an SSD as HP claimed?
And if it does suport a secondary SSD, what is the physical size of this SSD? 2230, or 2242?"

And what is the keying of the slot, B+M, B, or M?

What I’m asking (to avoid misunderstanding)

I am not asking whether HP recommends upgrading or whether it affects warranty.

I am asking for technical clarification:

1. Does the secondary WWAN slot officially support an SSD, as HP documentation states?

2. What is the supported physical size of that SSD: M.2 2230 or M.2 2242?

3. What is the correct connector keying for that slot (B-key, M-key, or B+M)?

A definitive answer would help avoid confusion caused by conflicting HP materials and reviews.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

This is a peer to peer forum.

We do not work for or represent HP, so you will not get any 'official' responses here.

The HP service manual indicates the slot supports M.2 2230 NVMe SSD's, but they need an adapter to fit in the M.2 2242 WWAN slot.

My recommendation would be to install a M.2 2242 NVMe SSD and then you don't have to be concerned with adapters and whatnot.

There is no reason why a M.2 2242 NVMe SSD would not fit or work in the WWAN slot.

Below is the link to the service manual.

Maintenance and Service Guide

This related discussion regarding installing a M.2 2242 NVMe SSD in the 640 14 inch G9 proves it works fine.

The 640 G9 is the Intel model.

Second ssd drive on elitebook 640 g9 - HP Support Community - 9220271

[Vladimir304]

thanks for the clarification

To make sure there’s no remaining ambiguity, could you please also confirm the connector keying of the secondary WWAN M.2 slot?

Specifically:

• Is the slot for a B-key, M-key, or a B+M   NVME SSDs?

This point is still unclear, as the HP Youtube teardown video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGFXBkvn31k) shows a B-key WWAN slot with a B-key-only WWAN,
while a review (https://eang.it/hp-elitebook-645-g9-review/) show a B+M-keyed SSD installed in what looks like an M-keyed slot.

Thanks in advance for confirming.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You can use either type of NVMe SSD.

The most common type of M.2 2242 NVMe drive would be the drive with one notch, not two and it would probably be the easiest one to find.

Most M.2 drives with two notches are SATA drives which are not supported.

The M.2 drives with two notches just won't make contact with the pins in the WWAN slot.

The slot does not have two keys which would block a drive with only one notch from fitting in the slot.

[Vladimir304]

Thanks for the clarification

is this single notch you are referring to, a B-key notch, or an M-key notch?

because in the Youtube video, It shows a B-key notch in the slot,

meanwhile, in "https://eang.it/hp-elitebook-645-g9-review/" it shows an M-key notch

since, it is one notch, which one is it , a B-key notch, or an M-key notch?

I need clarification on this, because if the notch is B-keyed, then M-Keyed SSDs are not supported,

and if the notch is M-keyed, then B-Keyed SSDs are not supported

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You raise an interesting question.

My assumption was that the key was a M key but if you look at chapter 5 of the service manual, it has the part number for the M.2 2242 WWAN adapter.

Intel XMM 7560 R + LTE-Advanced Pro WWAN (Cat 16)   HP part # M52040-001.

Looking on eBay for that model card, it shows that is a B-keyed card.

M52040-005 L860-GL-16 LTE CAT16 Module Card 4G modem NGFF M.2 For HP Laptop | eBay

What I suggest you do is to open up the notebook and check out the WWAN slot and confirm before buying a drive.

Count the contacts on the shorter side of the key.  B = 6 contact pins M = 5 contact pins.

I have never come across something like this.

All single notch NVMe SSDs that I know of are M-keys.

This person indicates the slot is a B key in the 650 G9 (15.6" display) Intel model.

Solved: Elitebook 650 G9 SSD upgrade - HP Support Community - 8904394

But what's even more confusing is if you look at that other discussion I posted, the person indicated he added this model drive which looks to be a M key NVMe SSD.

MZALQ256HAJD-000L2 MZ-ALQ2560 Samsung PM991 256GB SSD M.2 2242 NVME SSD Internal | eBay

So, you may have to buy a B + M key NVMe SSD.

They may be hard to find in larger storage capacities and won't run as fast as most of them will be PCIe Gen 3 x 2.

Amazon.com: KingSpec 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD, 2242 PCIe Gen3x2 Internal Solid State Drive for Laptop/Note...