Where is M.2 SSD slot in HP 15 AY503TX Laptop

[Badhusha]

Hi,

I wanted to upgrade my laptop with an SSD. I tried checking if I have M.2 SSD slot available in my laptop. Since there is no Service Manual available for this particular model, I had to open the back cover and find it on my own. After opening the back cover, I am unable to find the M.2 SSD slot. I see only single SATA HDD slot and the Optical drive.

Please help me find it. If there is no M.2 SSD slot, Can I replace the 1TB HDD with a 500GB SATA SSD and install the HDD in optical drive buying the Caddy?

I just have this doubt after seeing the Service manual for Envy laptops (As i mentioned I didnt find any for this model), it says maximum 256 GB M.2 SSD is supported, But there is no information on the SATA SSD limits. 

I just want to know if the 500 GB SATA SSD will work fine if i do not have the M.2 slot.

Mother BoardHDD

Please find attached the image of Mother board. 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Only the 15-ay### models that came from the factory with M.2 SSD's have the slot.

On that model, there is a separate M.2 board and connector that your notebook is missing because it didn't come from HP with a M.2 SSD.

Yes, you can install a 2.5" SSD.

Crucial, India offers compatible models for your notebook.  The MX models have better read/write speeds than the BX models.   The SSD's are listed after the memory upgrade info.

https://www.crucial.in/compatible-upgrade-for/hp---compaq/hp-15-ay503tx

[Badhusha]

Thanks for letting me know this information. I assume the Motherboards are different for those models and i cant do anything. I can go with SATA SSD. Thank you!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You would have to buy the additional part needed to install a M.2 SSD, that is listed in chapter 3 of the service manual.

That would be if you could even find the part and the screw to fasten it to the motherboard.

Solid-state drive board    HP part # 850946-001

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05087748

If you look at the manual, Chapter 6, the M.2 SSD goes where the 2.5" hard drive is now, which means you can't add a M.2 SSD and use the hard drive for storage.

It would't be worth it to install a M.2 SATA drive that will be no faster/better than a 2.5" SATA drive.