One of the most frustrating aspects of the ProBook 450 G2 architecture is how the SATA controllers are wired.
On many laptops of this generation, the M.2 slot shares a SATA channel with the primary 2.5-inch drive bay.
Recommendation: For most users, the best upgrade path is often removing the mechanical 2.5-inch hard drive entirely and replacing it with a 2.5-inch SATA SSD. This avoids the M.2 compatibility headache entirely and offers the same speed (both are capped at SATA III 6Gb/s speeds). However, if you are intent on using the M.2 slot to keep the 2.5-inch bay free for mass storage, be prepared to test if both can coexist. hp probook 450 g2 m2 ssd compatibility
The most common pitfall for upgraders is assuming all M.2 slots are created equal. They are not.
When the ProBook 450 G2 was designed, the M.2 form factor was just gaining traction, but the modern NVMe protocol (which utilizes the PCIe bus for blistering speeds) was not yet the standard. Consequently, the M.2 slot on the ProBook 450 G2 is SATA III (6Gb/s) only. One of the most frustrating aspects of the
This is the most common mistake upgraders make. The M.2 slot in the 450 G2 is electrically wired for SATA III, not PCIe/NVMe.
After installing the new drive, you may need to configure the BIOS: Recommendation: For most users, the best upgrade path
Bottom Line Up Front: The HP ProBook 450 G2 does support an M.2 SSD, but with very specific limitations. Do not buy a standard NVMe drive – it will not work. You need a SATA-based M.2 2242 or 2260 SSD.
Most revisions of the HP ProBook 450 G2 (model numbers ending in -xxx manufactured between 2014-2016) include an M.2 slot originally intended for a WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) card—essentially a 4G LTE modem for mobile internet. This slot is typically labeled J4C1 or similar and is located near the wireless card.
Here is the critical specification:
