Description
The Lexar RW450 (LRW450UB) is a compact, high-performance 2-in-1 card reader designed to bridge the gap between professional capture and digital editing. Supporting both UHS-II and UHS-I speeds, this reader leverages USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectivity to deliver transfer speeds up to 312MB/s for SD cards and 170MB/s for microSD cards. Its dual-slot design allows for concurrent file transfers, making it an essential tool for creators managing multiple media formats across various devices.
This product is for:
- Professional Photographers: Quickly offload high-resolution RAW images from UHS-II SD cards used in DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
- Action Cam & Drone Pilots: Efficiently manage 4K footage stored on microSDXC cards from devices like GoPros or DJI drones.
- Content Creators: Streamline the workflow for social media video production involving multiple mobile and camera sources.
- Remote Professionals: A portable, lightweight solution for transferring documents and media while working from various locations.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users seeking a reliable, backward-compatible reader that supports legacy USB 2.0/1.1 ports while offering modern speeds.
Detailed specifications:
- Interface: USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-A)
- Supported Formats: SD, SDHC, SDXC, microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC
- Bus Interface Support: UHS-I, UHS-II
- Dimensions: 38.2 mm x 63.9 mm x 15.3 mm (1.50” x 2.51” x 0.60”)
- Weight: 15.8 g (0.034 lbs)
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
- System Compatibility: macOS 10.8+, Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP
In real-world testing, the Lexar RW450 stands out for its plug-and-play simplicity and robust build quality. The dual-slot functionality is particularly useful for those who record secondary footage on microSD cards, as it eliminates the need for multiple adapters. The device remains cool during sustained large-file transfers, and its slim profile ensures it does not block adjacent USB ports on a laptop. The LED indicator provides immediate visual confirmation of data activity, preventing accidental disconnection during critical writes.
Compared to standard single-slot readers, the RW450 offers significantly better versatility by handling both full-sized SD and microSD cards without an adapter. While many budget readers are limited to UHS-I speeds (approx. 104MB/s), the RW450 supports the UHS-II interface, providing nearly triple the theoretical bandwidth for compatible cards. Its dedicated USB 3.1 Gen 1 bus offers a more stable connection than generic USB 2.0 hubs, which often bottleneck modern high-speed flash memory.
Q&A:
- Does the Lexar RW450 support simultaneous transfers from both slots? Yes, the dual-slot design allows you to read from and write to both SD and microSD cards at the same time.
- Is this card reader compatible with UHS-I cards? Absolutely; it is fully backward compatible with UHS-I cards, though it will operate at UHS-I speed limits.
- What is the maximum transfer speed of the RW450? It supports speeds up to 312MB/s for SD UHS-II and 170MB/s for microSD UHS-II, depending on the card's capabilities.
- Do I need to install drivers for Windows 10 or macOS? No, the device is class-compliant and works immediately upon plugging into a USB port.
- Can I use this reader with a USB 2.0 port? Yes, it is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1, though transfer speeds will be limited by the port's maximum bandwidth.
