A M.2 SATA SSD is a compact but fast SSD that is used by most modern laptops. The read and write speeds of an M.2 SATA are considerably higher than a traditional hard drive, so that both your computer and your programs start up faster. You can recognize a SATA M.2 SSD by the connector, which consists of 2 small keys on the corners and 1 large in the middle. Take a good look at the connectors on your motherboard before you purchase.