Kingston MobileLiteG2 + 4GB

Memory cards are used in just about every device today; from mobile phones to digital cameras, photo printers to gaming consoles. But to read and write data to the memory card, the computer is the best place to start and for a computer to be able to do that, it requires a memory card reader. Unlike most laptops, computers generally do not come with facility to read/write memory cards, and a memory card reader becomes indispensable in that case. The Kingston MobileLiteG2 is arguably one of the smallest memory card readers and it comes with a 4 GB SD HC card.

As is usual with most memory cards and USB Flash drives, this memory card reader comes packed in a transparent plastic blister pack where the contents can be easily seen.

The memory card reader comes bundled with a short USB extension cable to facilitate using it with a USB port in congested places. It also comes with a lanyard cable fastened to it. A Kingston 4 GB SD HC memory card is also part of the standard accessories with this product, allowing you to start using it out of the box.

Features

The Kingston MobileLiteG2 reader is probably the smallest memory card reader around, and is barely larger than the SD HC memory card that comes with it. The black and silver polymer body is quite ruggedly built.

The reader has retractable covers for the USB port as well as for the memory cards. The cover for the USB port protects the USB port when it is not being used. The cover for the memory card shields it when it is inserted in the reader, thus preventing accidental damage. The retractable covers have a nice honeycomb pattern on it.

The card reader can read up to 9 types of memory card formats. The different media card formats supported include: SD, SDHC, microSD, microSDHC, Memory Stick Micro (M2), Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo. You can also read miniSD/SDHC cards but by using an adapter. This covers pretty much every popular format in use today, except CF, which is usually limited to professional SLR cameras. If you may be wondering as to how the device can read 9 types of cards when there are only two visible card slots, a closer inspection will disclose the secret. A single card slot can read multiple types of cards, thanks to an ingenious arrangement of internal leads.

It plugs directly into a free USB port and since it is Plug'n Play, you can directly start using it without need for any drivers. If the adjacent USB ports are occupied and it is not possible to insert this due to its thickness, you can use the provided USB extension cable.

There is a blue activity LED on the MobileLiteG2, which glows during data transfer activity or even if a memory card is inserted. Without any memory card inserted, the reader does not show up in the Windows Explorer. You can read two different memory cards inserted in the two slots simultaneously, thus allowing you to transfer contents from one card to another. USB 2.0 speed is supported, but it is also compatible with the older USB 1.1 standards.

Performance

We transferred sequential as well as assorted data to note the read as well as write times for SD HC, micro SD HC and M2 cards and here is what we found.

The results indicate that this small baby is a pretty good performer, posting decent read and write speeds in every memory card format.

Verdict

The Kingston MobileLiteG2 + 4 GB memory card reader can read up to 9 memory card formats and is a decent performer. It serves as a one point access for all popular memory card formats used today. Probably the only notable missing format is CF, in which case you need to look elsewhere. It is one of the smallest memory card readers we have tested and also has a sturdy build. The retractable covers protect the USB plug as well as the inserted memory card.

All said, this product is worthy of being part of a traveler's kit. With a two-year warranty, it is priced at Rs. 749, which is a good price considering it comes bundled with a 4 GB SD HC memory card. If you want just the card reader, it comes for just Rs. 295. The Kingston MobileLiteG2 + 4 GB earns our recommendation.

Specifications