Question Lenovo IdeaPad - M.2 SSD Slot or not?

[Jamval]

Lenovo IdeaPad L340-17API, MTM: 81LY000FUS.
1TB 2.5" SATA HDD. I want to upgrade with an SSD.

Preferred option: 2 drives, M.2 SSD and keep the original 2.5" SATA HDD.
Plan B - If no M.2 slot available, replace the SATA HDD with a 2.5" SATA SSD.

Lenovo documentation is contradictory, user manual specs sheet says there is an avialable M.2 PCIe (NVMe) slot.
The service manual spec sheet does not.

Lenovo support community (1 response from who knows who) says based on 'compatible' parts list, it does not.
I looked at the Lenovo support pages for my model, compatible parts and it shows 15 variant system boards with photos.
I looked at each board and all photos show that there is an M.2 slot for SSD card and the female holder for the hold down screw.

I was hoping to avoid opening the bottom cover to see for myself. Even if there is a physical M.2 SSD connector, does that necessarily mean that it is configured to work?

 

[white.a.drew]

Lenovo IdeaPad L340-17API, MTM: 81LY000FUS.
1TB 2.5" SATA HDD. I want to upgrade with an SSD.

Preferred option: 2 drives, M.2 SSD and keep the original 2.5" SATA HDD.
Plan B - If no M.2 slot available, replace the SATA HDD with a 2.5" SATA SSD.

Lenovo documentation is contradictory, user manual specs sheet says there is an avialable M.2 PCIe (NVMe) slot.
The service manual spec sheet does not.

Lenovo support community (1 response from who knows who) says based on 'compatible' parts list, it does not.
I looked at the Lenovo support pages for my model, compatible parts and it shows 15 variant system boards with photos.
I looked at each board and all photos show that there is an M.2 slot for SSD card and the female holder for the hold down screw.

I was hoping to avoid opening the bottom cover to see for myself. Even if there is a physical M.2 SSD connector, does that necessarily mean that it is configured to work?

Best way for you to know go into your bios and see if it has m.2 settings

 

[Jamval]

Best way for you to know go into your bios and see if it has m.2 settings

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never done that, but gave it a try;

Went to Settings> Update Security > Recovery > Restart Now > Choose Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Settings
Restarted and opened the BIOS settings. I browsed around the different tabs.
In the 'BOOT' tab,
Boot Order:

1. Windows Boot Manager
2. ATA HDD (and shows my Western Digital HDD )
3. ATA HDD1
4. NVMe
5. CD
6. USB HDD

etc.

I don't see an M.2 option, but does #4. NVMe indicate the M.2 SSD port?
One of the spec sheets for my IdeaPad L340-17API 81LY shows
M.2 SSD / PCIe NVMe, PCIe 3.0 x 2, 16Gb/s (e.g. xxxGB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe NVMe)"

Thanks again.

 

[MonkeyNoSee]

you select 4 nvme

 

[MonkeyNoSee]

yes its m.2

 

[white.a.drew]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never done that, but gave it a try;

Went to Settings> Update Security > Recovery > Restart Now > Choose Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Settings
Restarted and opened the BIOS settings. I browsed around the different tabs.
In the 'BOOT' tab,
Boot Order:

1. Windows Boot Manager
2. ATA HDD (and shows my Western Digital HDD )
3. ATA HDD1
4. NVMe
5. CD
6. USB HDD

etc.

I don't see an M.2 option, but does #4. NVMe indicate the M.2 SSD port?
One of the spec sheets for my IdeaPad L340-17API 81LY shows
M.2 SSD / PCIe NVMe, PCIe 3.0 x 2, 16Gb/s (e.g. xxxGB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe NVMe)"

Thanks again.

nvme is m.2

 

[MonkeyNoSee]

nvme is m.2

yes