Older laptops and mini-PCs often contain a neglected M.2 slot designed for Wi-Fi cards, which uses an A+E key form factor that prevents standard SSD installation. The CWWK P3-2230 and Oaknode OAK-2230 drive targets this specific hardware gap by offering storage in the same physical footprint.
Compact drive uses Maxio controller to repurpose A+E key slots for storage
The solid-state drive operates over a single PCIe 3 lane, delivering claimed sequential read speeds of up to 890 MB/s. It utilizes the Maxio MAP1202 controller and includes a graphene copper heat dissipation pad for thermal management.
Manufacturers offer three storage capacities: 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB. The pricing structure remains significantly higher than typical internal drives, with the smallest variant starting above $80 and the largest model exceeding $200.
Installation requires removing the existing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth card to make space for the SSD in the A+E key slot. Users must insulate antenna connectors to prevent short circuits and may need a USB dongle to restore wireless connectivity after the swap.
Source: NotebookCheck
