Identifying a Mysterious Port on My Motherboard

I’m trying to identify a port on my motherboard (6050a2892401-mb-a01) next to a WiFi card for comparison. Can anyone help identify what this port is used for?

That looks like a M.2 port with a Key M due to the 5 pins on the left side. You can find more details and pictures through these references on M.2 socket types.

Tatum said:
That looks like a M.2 port with a Key M due to the 5 pins on the left side. You can find more details and pictures through these references on M.2 socket types.

Actually, you’re viewing it upside down; it’s a B key slot for WWAN modules, which supports various interfaces including PCIe x2 and USB. This type of slot can accommodate devices like WWAN cards that may use a SIM card.

It’s definitely a Key M slot used primarily for PCIe connections. This slot could potentially support a WWAN card, or possibly a small form factor SSD like a 2230/2242, provided there’s no whitelisting in the BIOS that restricts device compatibility.

@Alby
Thanks for the clarification. The slot does appear slightly narrower compared to my WiFi card slot. I’m considering trying a small SSD to see if it fits and works in this slot, given the wider outline on the motherboard compared to the other slots.

@Casey
The physical slot accommodates the card size, but be mindful of the keying and pin layout. WWAN cards typically are larger due to additional components like a SIM card interface, which could explain the extra space.

@Alby
It’s an older HP ZBook 15u G3 model. I’m trying to modify it into a more tablet-like device for easier use at work.

Casey said:
@Alby
It’s an older HP ZBook 15u G3 model. I’m trying to modify it into a more tablet-like device for easier use at work.

Those models typically share hardware features with HP’s EliteBook series. Check out some of the standard configurations and supported upgrades for better compatibility insights.

Is the Toshiba SSD to the right of the port related to your question, or is it part of a different setup?

Kenan said:
Is the Toshiba SSD to the right of the port related to your question, or is it part of a different setup?

Yes, it’s an SSD.

Kenan said:
Is the Toshiba SSD to the right of the port related to your question, or is it part of a different setup?

That Toshiba SSD is labeled NVMe but it’s not particularly high-end. It’s adequate for basic tasks but don’t expect top performance from it.

There’s a lot of conflicting information here. It would be helpful to clarify exactly what types of devices this port can support.

This is likely a B key slot. The configuration here typically supports devices with a User Identity Module for cellular connectivity. Most M.2 SSDs with PCIe will not function correctly in this slot due to potential whitelisting.

@Zephyr
For adding more functionality like USB ports, you might encounter compatibility issues with PCIe adapters in this slot, especially if it’s intended for WWAN devices only.

To clarify, this is a Key M M.2 port suitable for PCIe or NVMe storage devices, not for connectivity like Bluetooth or WWAN.

Tatum said:
To clarify, this is a Key M M.2 port suitable for PCIe or NVMe storage devices, not for connectivity like Bluetooth or WWAN.

Exactly, this port is designed for storage expansions and not for communication modules.

This port is a M.2 Key G, often used for special applications and not commonly found in consumer laptops.

It’s likely a Key-A slot designed for a WWAN or 4G connectivity card, not for typical SSD or WiFi use.

This is for an nvme M.2, not for a WiFi card. It looks like there’s been some confusion about its purpose.

Harper said:
This is for an nvme M.2, not for a WiFi card. It looks like there’s been some confusion about its purpose.

I used the WiFi card for size comparison only. Thanks for clarifying that it’s an M.2 Key M intended for a WWAN card.