An M.2 SSD is a type of solid-state drive that connects directly to a computer's motherboard using the M.2 interface. This compact form factor allows for faster data transfer speeds compared to traditional hard drives and even some older SSDs. M.2 SSDs are commonly used in laptops and desktops to enhance performance, especially for tasks like gaming and video editing. M.2 SSDs come in various sizes and support different protocols, such as SATA and NVMe. The NVMe protocol, in particular, enables higher speeds by utilizing the PCIe lanes on the motherboard. This makes M.2 SSDs a popular choice for users looking to upgrade their storage solutions.