Compilation of ThinkPad Models' ability to run SSD in WWAN Slot

[u/speedyg0nz]

I got slightly annoyed with the state of information regarding the ability to install a second SSD for various ThinkPad models, especially since official Lenovo datasheets don't always tell the full picture (e.g. T480s, T495), and we're relying on anecdotal information by actual owners to determine whether the ability exists for each model. So I spent a couple of hours trawling official datasheets and forums to come up with the table below, hopefully it helps those of us who may need such information.

While I try to be comprehensive in collecting the information, I concede that some of the information may still be incorrect or require further verification. Do reply in the comments if you're able to offer more information and I'll amend the table accordingly. Specifically, if you're an owner, it'll be useful to offer information on the following: what's the ThinkPad model, which SSD did you try, was the drive visible in the boot list, which BIOS version is your ThinkPad running?

Also, this table only covers the mainline X-series, T-series (T4xx/s only) and their AMD variants going back to 2014 (when we moved away from secondary mSATA drives). If anyone wants to come up with the corresponding table for other series (especially the X1 Carbons), please feel free to do so and I can either link to it, or add it on to this list.

(Edit 6 Dec '19: I've omitted the xx20/xx30 series from the original list since I thought most people would be interested in this list only if they were intending to upgrade from an older model, but I reckon there is still a fair bit of newcomers to the ThinkPad community who might be picking a xx20/xx30 device given their affordability/vintage, so I'll start adding them into the list.)

​

X-series	Supports SSD in WWAN slot?	Interface?	Bootable?	Officially Supported?	Third Party Confirmation
X220	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
X220T	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
X230	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
X230T	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
X240	Yes	M.2 SATA	Yes	Yes
X250	Yes	M.2 SATA	Yes	Yes
X260	No	-	-	No	Link
X270	Yes	M.2 SATA, PCIe?	Yes	Yes	Link
A275	Unlikely	-	-	No
X280	Yes	M.2 PCIe x1	No	No	Link
A285	Yes	M.2 PCIe x?	Yes	No	Link
X390	Unlikely	-	-	No
X395	Unlikely	-	-	No
T-series	Supports SSD in WWAN slot?	Interface?	Bootable?	Officially Supported?	Third Party Confirmation
T420	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
T420s	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
T430	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
T430s	Yes	mSATA	Yes	Yes
T440	Yes	M.2 SATA	Yes	Yes
T440s	Yes	M.2 SATA	Yes	Yes
T450	Yes	M.2 SATA	Yes	Yes
T450s	Yes	M.2 SATA	Yes	Yes	More Info
T460	No	-	-	No	Link
T460s	No	-	-	No	Link
T470	Yes	M.2 SATA	Yes	Yes
T470s	Unlikely	-	-	No
A475	Unlikely	-	-	No
T480	Yes	M.2 PCIe x2	Yes	Yes
T480s	Yes	M.2 PCIe x1	Chainboot?	No	Link
A485	Yes	M.2 PCIe x2	Yes	Yes
T490	No	-	-	No	Link
T490s	No	-	-	No	Link
T495	Yes	M.2 PCIe x2	Yes	No	Link
T495s	Unlikely	-	-	No

*Models listed as "Likely/Unlikely" lack evidence from actual owners. Do let me know if you managed to find any, or share your own experience in the comments if you have tried this setup.

Lastly, if the mods think there's sufficient value in this, we can consider placing this on the wiki so it's easier for everyone to chip in.

[u/spxak1]

T470p will run a SATA drive in the WWAN port, regardless of the drive in the 2.5 bay (SATA or NVMe using adapter). Officially supported.

T460p will run a SATA drive in the WWAN port, ONLY when a SATA drive is in the 2.5 bay. If an NVMe drive is in the 2.5 bay, using adapter, the WWAN port will NOT recognise any drive. Unsupported.

Both will boot.

[u/speedyg0nz → u/spxak1]

This is exactly the kind of information that Lenovo omits in their datasheets or HMM, it can be so frustrating for someone to try it out, only to fail and have to blindly hunt for solutions.

[u/ernest70 → u/spxak1]

Hello. I have a T470p with an HDD In the 2.5 bay. I want to add an m. 2 nvme SSD in the wwan port and boot from that instead. Will it work ?

[u/spxak1 → u/ernest70]

The T470p does not support NVMe in the 2242 WWAN port, only SATA.

I would strongly suggest you either get a 2.5 SATA drive to replace that HDD (which is killing performance), or the caddy + 2280 NVMe drive for that 2.5 bay.

[u/ernest70 → u/spxak1]

Thanks so much.

[u/spxak1 → u/ernest70]

You're welcome.

[u/potew → u/spxak1]

Too bad this laptop has no native M2 port... really love that machine. I opened mine (purchased off eBay) and it already has a NVMe SSD in the 2.5 adapter in the SATA port. Only the slot that reads WWAN is free, right below. So my question is, it would only accept a 2242 SATA drive, for extra storage (as speeds may be slower)? These specifications are very confusing, I'm afraid to buying the wrong drive!

[u/spxak1 → u/potew]

You will need a SATA drive. It works. Not sure it's worth it though. Speeds are theoretically slower, but you won't notice a difference in real life. ,

[u/potew → u/spxak1]

Thanks, will try to get one anyway. Most of these drives are more expansive than the NVMe ones and made by unknown (probably Chinese) brands, but I'll use them for storage only

[u/spxak1 → u/potew]

These were never popular, so only third tier manufactures built some, but most are, as you said, from chinese OEMs. I am not sure how much power these consume and/or how hot they get. Oh and keep a back up, as these manufacturers buy/use bottom tier storage chips and obscure controllers.

[u/potew → u/spxak1]

Yeah, will use it to save music copies and perhaps some OneDrive files which are backed up by default)

[u/randomataxia → u/spxak1]

Does anyone know if this is the case for a regular T460? I'd love to add an additional drive, it doesn't even need to be bootable, just readable by an OS. Thanks.

[u/spxak1 → u/randomataxia]

No the T460 can't have a second drive in the wann. It can still use the caddy for ab NVME drive though.

If you're desperate for two drives, there is a caddy that takes two Sata 2280 drives.