fanxiang S301 1TB mSATA SSD: features, specs and who it suits

The fanxiang S301 is an internal solid state drive in the mSATA format, a small circuit-board shape used in many ultrabooks, compact desktops and older laptops. It replaces or adds to a mechanical hard drive in machines that have an mSATA slot. This page explains what the specs mean and what to confirm before choosing one.

What mSATA is, and why it is small

mSATA stands for mini-SATA. The drive is a bare board about 2.0 inches long and 1.2 inches wide (roughly 51 x 30 mm) and only about 0.1 inches thick. fanxiang says that makes it smaller than a traditional 2.5-inch SATA drive and suitable for compact devices.

The format was common in thin laptops and small-form-factor computers in the years before the M.2 slot took over. It looks similar to an M.2 card but is a different connector, so the two are not interchangeable.

What SATA III speeds look like

The S301 uses a SATA III interface, which runs at 6Gb/s. fanxiang lists read and write speeds of up to 550MB/s and 500MB/s. Those figures are close to the practical ceiling of SATA III, so the drive is not trying to compete with newer NVMe drives, which use a faster interface.

In day-to-day use, moving from a mechanical hard drive to a SATA solid state drive typically makes a computer start up, open programs and copy files noticeably faster. Brand speeds are best-case numbers and real results depend on file sizes, the rest of the system and how full the drive is.

No moving parts

fanxiang describes the drive as more durable than a mechanical hard drive because it has no moving parts. Without spinning platters, solid state drives are generally silent and less sensitive to bumps, which matters in a laptop that travels. The S301 uses 3D NAND, a flash memory design that stacks cells in layers to fit more capacity in a small space.

Capacity and support

This model has 1TB of storage, and fanxiang says the S301 range comes in other capacities too. The brand also lists a three-year after-sales service and invites owners to contact it with questions. It is worth checking what that covers before you rely on it.

Who it suits

The S301 suits people who own a laptop, ultrabook, mini PC or industrial device with an mSATA slot and want more or faster storage. It is a practical upgrade for an older machine that still works well but has a slow or full drive. It is not for computers that only have M.2 or 2.5-inch bays.

What to check before you buy

• The slot type: confirm that your device has an mSATA slot, not M.2. Look in the manual or the maker's specifications for the machine.
• Compatibility: check whether the slot is free, or whether the existing mSATA drive can be replaced, and whether your device limits drive capacity.
• Moving your data: plan how to copy or reinstall your operating system. Cloning software or a fresh install are the usual routes.
• Backups: back up important files before opening the computer or changing drives.
• Access: some thin laptops need the base removed and care with warranty seals. Follow the maker's service guidance.

The short version

• A 1TB mSATA solid state drive, model S301, from fanxiang.
• SATA III (6Gb/s) with listed speeds of up to 550MB/s read and 500MB/s write.
• 3D NAND and no moving parts; about 2.0 x 1.2 x 0.1 inches.
• Fits mSATA slots only, not M.2 or standard 2.5-inch bays.
• A three-year after-sales service is listed by the brand.

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