what m.2 ssds to stock

[pcpete]

We currently stock all 2.5 SSDs size in good quantities. It is making my head hurt trying to figure out what m.2 ssds to stock. These don't come up a lot, but that will change in time. What kinds should we be stocking to cover most of the different laptops that we will be seeing? I know there are sata(several kind) and nvme, but then it seems like there are multiple different nvme ones needed.

 

[mikeroq]

There are just two types SATA and NVMe. Pretty much every drive is 2280 in size. That's 22mm x 80mm.

Difference in NVMe are speeds mainly. Lower end vs higher end drives. Same is true for SATA but most drives these days are pretty much at the speed limit for SATA 6gbps.

An M.2 slot with PCIe can have 2 or 4 lanes at PCIe 2.0 or 3.0. Also the drives can be 2 or 4 lane gen 2 or 3.

I would keep some lower end 2 lane drives or slower ones for computers that only have 2 lanes in the slot. No point in using a 4 lane drive in a 2 lane slot that won't benefit from the higher speeds. Then keep higher end ones that use all 4 lanes for higher speed.

 

[Porthos]

There are some that use little
M. 2 2242 SATA – III Example https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-256GB-MTS400-Solid-TS256GMTS400S/dp/B075P1JSGL/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DO24HFOHL1GU&keywords=m.2+2240+ssd&qid=1553711206&s=gateway&sprefix=m.2+2240,aps,157&sr=8-3

Had one the other day. It was a think pad t440p

 

[Sky-Knight]

People stock parts when Amazon can have it here today?

 

[Porthos]

People stock parts when Amazon can have it here today?

Not me, But Amazon cant always be same day. Some actually take 2 days with prime.

 

[pcpete]

People stock parts when Amazon can have it here today?

Do you get same day shipping? If so I am guessing you pay a premium for that. Who wants to wait even two hours when you need it now?

 

[Porthos]

Do you get same day shipping? If so I am guessing you pay a premium for that.

On some items yes if ordered early enough and over $35. It is part of Prime and I could not operate without it.

 

[pcpete]

I could not operate without it.

I am sure you would adapt

 

[fencepost]

Hokay, so there's

• mSATA - pretty old, probably not worth stocking (unless old Macbooks used it? Dunno). My circa-2012 ThinkPads have it, but anything that's going to need it is likely fairly old and as a spec it was replaced pretty quickly by M.2
  
• M.2 SATA
• M.2 PCIe

How much of each is out there and how many laptops with them do you see? How fast are you expecting to turn around any drive that you get? I'd assume that anything fairly new is going to be M.2 PCIe, how long was M.2 SATA common?

Edit: These might be useful:
https://rog.asus.com/articles/maximus-motherboards/buying-an-m-2-ssd-how-to-tell-which-is-which/ and https://rog.asus.com/articles/produ...a-and-sata-express-the-differences-explained/

 

[Big Jim]

What kinds of customers are you dealing with that can't wait an extra day for their repair ? (genuine question not a troll )

 

[fencepost]

As a quick addendum, I'd keep in stock only a limited number of the more expensive or highly compatible options. If someone needs a less-expensive option they can wait a day or two or "We do have this 512GB drive in-stock and can set you up with it today."

Since those more expensive devices will likely also have a higher margin, that's a win for you.

 

[nlinecomputers]

People stock parts when Amazon can have it here today?

Same day? Only if you are close to an Amazon warehouse. Everything is 2 days for me. Often 3 because UPS sucks.

 

[Porthos]

I do not see many M.2 drive capable for now but the OP is correct more are coming. Many newer computers are capable but do not have them stock.

 

[mikeroq]

I do not see many M.2 drive capable for now but the OP is correct more are coming. Many newer computers are capable but do not have them stock.

Every new computer I quote I make sure it has M.2 NVMe support. Most of them with an M.2 NVMe SSD.

 

[Porthos]

Only if you are close to an Amazon warehouse.

I have 2 close to me. But I like to keep a couple of SATA SSD's on hand. I special order M.2 drives if needed.

If the client needs something today I can use Prime NOW or since I work from home the client can pick up something from Altex( a big warehouse 5 or so minutes away) and bring it with them.(the warranty is their problem).

 

[mikeroq]

I have 2 close to me.

I don't think my small town will ever have anything like PrimeNow.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Same day? Only if you are close to an Amazon warehouse. Everything is 2 days for me. Often 3 because UPS sucks.

Yes, Phoenix has at least 5 Amazon fulfillment centers, so most major electronic components are local. If I order Prime 2nd day before 11am, I've got about a 80% chance it's going to show up that afternoon otherwise it shows up tomorrow. The problem I have is the delivery can't make up its mind, there are times it's here at 11am, and times it's here at 11pm. Most of the time it's the latter, so my stuff tends to show up between 4pm and 8pm most of the time. So tomorrow is nice, but it's end of day tomorrow.

Still, that means I'm working on it within two days, which is plenty fast enough for me. If your'e a business and you need faster repairs, that's when you do things proactively, or keep things new and under warranty. Electronic components devalue too quickly to risk having them in stock. SSD prices specifically are dropping substantially every other week. You want to take those losses? Be my guest... For myself, I'm always up against whatever Amazon sells the thing for right now. Customers aren't willing to pay much more than whatever that rate is.

 

[mikeroq]

I'm always up against whatever Amazon sells the thing for right now. Customers aren't willing to pay much more than whatever that rate is.

We don't compete on price. There is no way we can come close to Amazon's price. They don't like it they are free to buy it where they wish. We have a small but decent inventory. I would say that most of our sales from stock are related to service calls, a repair, or one of our business clients. Walk in sales are very little. Most of the walk in ones are 'need it now' types. If we don't have it they are going to buy it online.

 

[Sky-Knight]

We don't compete on price. There is no way we can come close to Amazon's price. They don't like it they are free to buy it where they wish. We have a small but decent inventory. I would say that most of our sales from stock are related to service calls, a repair, or one of our business clients. Walk in sales are very little. Most of the walk in ones are 'need it now' types. If we don't have it they are going to buy it online.

Yep, and those need it nows for me are just nightmares for warranty so I just kick them to Amazon. The only components I keep on hand are a couple of ATX power supplies.

Though I have considered keeping a couple 250gb SSDs around...

 

[Porthos]

Since I have a very limited voume. (80 invoices this year to date) I keep two 250 gig and 2 512 gig SATA SSD's. 2 external drive cases 2 2.5 and one 3.5. I have a 2.5 1 tb external to sell for image backups.WhenI sell one drive I order another one to keep it at 2.

For anything else it is ordered as needed. for example I ordered a 8gig stick of Crucial ddr3 laptop ram yesterday and just as I typing this I got a notice from Amazon it should be here by 3:15 today.