Our Opinion

The Kingston MobileLite G3 is actually the third-generation of this particular design, hence the G3 designation. The main upgrade from the MobileLite G2 is the USB 3.0 interface. This is actually a major improvement as USB 2.0 card readers have a maximum transfer rate of about 30-35 MB/s. This limits the performance of newer flash memory cards, like UHS-I class cards that can deliver transfer rates of up to 104 MB/s.

Do note that while the theoretical maximum transfer rate for USB 3.0 is 5 Gb/s or 625 MB/s, the maximum practical throughput is much less, and is highly dependent on the speed of the attached flash memory card. If you use a slow 40X SD card that can only deliver read speeds of 6 MB/s, then the faster USB 3.0 interface wouldn't matter because you will be stucked reading from this card at just 6 MB/s.

How to determine if you would benefit from the Kingston MobileLite G3? All flash memory cards have speed ratings - usually separated into read and write speeds. Although the write speed is usually the key performance indicator when we are looking at the performance of the flash memory card, the read speed is more important in this case because the purpose of a card reader is to actually read from the card. Besides, the read speed is always faster than the write speed. So you will benefit from the MobileLite G3's faster USB 3.0 interface if the rated read speed is in excess of 35 MB/s.

Even if you do not have flash memory cards that can benefit from the faster USB 3.0 interface now, we would still recommend you opt for a USB 3.0 card reader like the MobileLite G3 if you are looking to buy a card reader today. The price difference between the new MobileLite G3 and the older MobileLite G2 (with the slower USB 2.0 interface) or other USB 2.0 card readers is minimal. By purchasing a USB 3.0 card reader today, you are future-proofing your purchase, thereby saving yourself a future upgrade when you upgrade to faster memory cards.

For the lowest current prices on the Kingston MobileLite G3, click here!

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