Transcend 420S 120GB M.2 2242 SATA III SSD
BDT 4,290
Quantity
Upgrading an ultrabook, mini PC, or POS terminal often presents a physical space challenge. Many ultra-thin devices lack space for traditional 2.5-inch drives or even standard 80mm M.2 cards, forcing systems to run on slow mechanical hard drives or cramped factory storage.
The Transcend 420S solves this with an ultra-compact M.2 2242 form factor. Operating on the SATA III 6Gb/s interface, it provides the throughput necessary to eliminate OS boot bottlenecks and app launch delays without generating excessive heat in tightly packed chassis designs.
Key Features of Transcend 420S SSD
M.2 2242 Form Factor: Measures just 42mm in length, making it suitable for compact laptops, handhelds, and small form factor desktop PCs.
SATA III 6Gb/s Interface: Maximizes standard SATA bus speeds with read rates up to 500MB/s for responsive daily multitasking.
3D NAND Flash: Delivers improved reliability and power efficiency compared to older planar NAND drives.
DDR3 DRAM Cache: Accelerates frequently accessed data to keep random read and write tasks consistent under load.
B+M Key Design: Provides physical compatibility with standard M.2 slots wired for SATA connectivity.
Built-in ECC and Wear Leveling: Corrects data transfer errors automatically to preserve file integrity and extend flash endurance.
Why Choose This Compact M.2 SSD
The primary advantage of the Transcend 420S is fitment. If your laptop motherboard only accepts 42mm M.2 cards, a standard 2280 drive physically will not fit. At 120GB, this drive is dedicated to serving as a reliable boot drive for your operating system and essential productivity software rather than mass media storage.
Keep in mind that this is a SATA III drive, not an NVMe PCIe model. It will not reach multi-gigabyte transfer speeds, but it runs cooler and works in legacy systems where NVMe drives are either unsupported or draw too much power. For targeted upgrades of specific compact devices, it offers a direct hardware solution.
Best Use Cases
Operating system drive for ultrabooks supporting only 42mm slots.
Fast storage for POS machines, digital signage, and embedded systems.
Reviving older laptops that suffer from slow mechanical drive spin-up times.
Dedicated boot drive for lightweight Linux or Windows mini PCs.
Technical Specifications
Brand | Transcend |
|---|---|
Model | MTS420S (420S) |
Capacity | 120GB |
Form Factor | M.2 2242 |
Interface | SATA III 6Gb/s |
Bus Type | B+M Key |
Flash Type | 3D NAND Flash |
DRAM Cache | Yes (DDR3) |
Compatibility Check
Verify that your device features an M.2 slot supporting the 2242 length (42mm) and SATA protocol. This drive will not communicate over NVMe-only PCIe slots.
Warranty & Support
Backed by Transcend's official limited warranty. Warranty coverage requires that the drive remains within the manufacturer's specified TBW threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Will this drive fit into a standard 2280 M.2 slot?
Only if your motherboard or laptop has a screw standoff located at the 42mm position. If it only has a mounting hole at 80mm, this drive cannot be secured without an extender bracket.
Is the Transcend 420S an NVMe SSD?
No, it uses the SATA III interface with a B+M key edge connector. It will not operate at PCIe or NVMe speeds.
Is 120GB enough space for Windows 10 or 11?
Yes, 120GB provides enough room for a clean Windows installation, updates, and core everyday applications, leaving secondary storage for large personal files.
Does this package include a mounting screw?
No, Transcend SSD retail packages do not typically include the M.2 mounting screw. You must use the screw that came with your laptop or motherboard.
