Is this ssd compatible with my laptop?

[Anakin-T]

I'm wondering if my laptop's ssd slot is SATA or PCIe.
The ssd I'm currently looking at is Crucial MX300 M.2 275GB (SATA).
My laptop model is Pavilion Power 15 cb035tx.

Can someone please check that this ssd is compatible with my system?

Appreciate,

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Yes it can support EITHER an M.2 SATA-3 type disk or an M.2 PCIe/NVME type. The slot looks like it only works with a B-keyed disk (NVME) but a B + M will also plug in and work. A PCIe/NVME disk is about 4 times faster than a SATA-3 and not much if any more expensive. You might want to consider that instead if you plan to run the OS from it. 

Service Manual

[Anakin-T]

Moreover, if I use ssd as boot drive, is the free space important?

I'll be using about 200-240GB for programs and apps. If I use 256GB ssd, the SSD will be left with about 5GB of free space. That is why I ended with this SSD for extra GBs.

I have read that ssd with low free space will be slower and less durable, is that true?

[Huffer]

Yes but that is also true of a hard drive. Trying to figure out where to move stuff around takes a toll on a full storage disk. If you have over 200 gb that needs to be on the C:\ drive you would be much better off with a 480-512 gig disk. 

[Anakin-T]

Thanks for the great replies!!