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220-1201 Practice Question: A user wants to upgrade their laptop from a…
A user wants to upgrade their laptop from a traditional HDD to an SSD for faster boot times. They have a SATA III interface available. Which type of SSD should you recommend for the best performance without requiring an adapter?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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2.5-inch SATA SSD
A 2.5-inch SATA SSD is the direct replacement for a laptop HDD, using the same interface and form factor. NVMe M.2 drives require an M.2 slot, which this laptop may not have. mSATA is less common and not standard in most laptops.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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NVMe M.2 SSD
Why it's wrong here
An NVMe M.2 SSD utilizes the PCIe interface and a distinct M.2 slot, which is fundamentally different from the SATA interface and 2.5-inch drive bay found in laptops designed for traditional HDDs. Laptops with a 2.5-inch HDD bay typically lack the necessary M.2 slot, especially one configured for NVMe (PCIe) communication, making it physically and electrically incompatible as a direct replacement.
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2.5-inch SATA SSD
Why this is correct
A 2.5-inch SATA SSD is the ideal upgrade because its physical form factor perfectly matches the existing 2.5-inch hard drive bay in the laptop. It connects to the identical SATA data and power connectors already present, ensuring seamless compatibility with the laptop's internal infrastructure. This allows for a straightforward, plug-and-play replacement, significantly boosting performance over an HDD.
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mSATA SSD
Why it's wrong here
An mSATA SSD is a much smaller form factor designed to fit into a mini-PCIe slot, which is physically and electrically distinct from a standard 2.5-inch drive bay. Laptops configured for 2.5-inch HDDs do not typically feature an mSATA slot for primary storage, nor can an mSATA drive physically fit or connect to the SATA interface intended for a 2.5-inch drive.
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External USB SSD
Why it's wrong here
An external USB SSD connects via a USB port and resides outside the laptop's chassis, making it unsuitable as a primary internal boot drive replacement. While it can store data, it cannot physically occupy the internal 2.5-inch drive bay, nor would its performance be optimal for a primary operating system drive due to the limitations of the external USB interface compared to an internal SATA connection.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
M.2
M.2 is a small, internal connector used in computers to attach compact expansion cards like solid-state drives and Wi-Fi modules directly to the motherboard.
Key term
SATA
SATA (Serial ATA) is an interface standard used to connect storage devices like hard drives and solid-state drives to a computer's motherboard.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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