Internal storage drives are devices that your computer uses to read and store data. You can add drives to your computer to increase storage capacity and enable your computer to read other types of media. Internal storage drives are installed in bays.
When you remove or install an internal storage drive, note the type and size of the drive that each bay supports and correctly connect the required cables. Refer to the appropriate section in Hardware removal and installation for instructions on how to remove or install internal storage drives for your computer.
The following illustration shows the locations of the storage drive bays.
| 1 Card reader (for an SD card) | 2 Flex bays (2) |
| 3 Storage drive bays (2) (available on some models) | 4 Storage drive bays (2) |
| 5 M.2 solid-state drive slots (2) | 6 PCIe slots (5) |
1 Card reader
An SD card is installed in some models.
2 Flex bays (2)
Flex module
Depending on your computer model, the following parts might be installed in the flex module:15-in-1 card reader
External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) connector
Four-digit diagnostic display
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 connector
Slim optical drive
Thunderbolt adapter kit
Front-access storage enclosure
Multi-drive conversion kit
Depending on your computer model, the following parts might be installed in the multi-drive conversion kit:Storage drive (such as hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or hybrid drive)
Slim optical drive
Optical drive
Slim-optical-drive adapter
3 Optional-storage-drive bays (2) (available on some models)
You can install hard disk drives, solid-state drives, or hybrid drives in the storage drive bays.
4 Storage drive bays (2)
You can install hard disk drives, solid-state drives, or hybrid drives in the storage drive bays.
5 M.2 solid-state drive slots (2)
One or two M.2 solid-state drives are installed in some models.
6 PCIe slots (5)
You can install compatible PCIe cards and PCIe solid-state drives in the PCIe card slots.