Transcend's ultra-compact SATA III 6Gb/s M.2 SSD 420S addresses the high-performance needs and strict size limitations of small form factor devices, best suited for Ultrabooks and thin, light notebooks. Boasting high-quality flash chips and enhanced firmware algorithms, Transcend's M.2 SSD 420S delivers optimal reliability. Unlike the existing planar NAND chips, 3D NAND flash is a type of flash memory in which the memory cells are stacked vertically in multiple layers. 3D NAND is developed to break through density limitations of the 2D planar NAND, and thus can deliver a greater level of performance and endurance. Compliant with M.2 form factors Type 2242 and 2280, Transcend's 3D NAND M.2 SSDs are perfect for use in Ultrabooks and lightweight notebooks. Measured at just 42mm in length, the M.2 SSD 420S makes for an easy upgrade to your computer, taking up little space while giving it a much needed energy boost. Featuring the M.2 standard (42mm), the next generation SATA III 6Gb/s interface and a powerful controller, Transcend's M.2 SSD 420S reaches incredible read and write speeds of up to 530MB/s and 480MB/s. When used as a cache, the M.2 SSD 420S provides 1.5 times faster boot time than conventional hard drives. Dedicated to maximizing high-performance computing, the M.2 SSD 420S features 4k random file read and write speeds up to 75,000 IOPS that deliver incredibly short loading times and almost instant response for heavy graphics and multimedia applications.