Having websearched i couldnt find any info on the card reader speeds on older devices i have.
My speed result on a U3 spec are pretty much the same as a U1 on two devices. So it being a upper level limitation elsewhere sounds plausible given older hardware.
Thanks for the pointer re the card reader.ormative
Informative article:
http://www.groovypost.com/howto/howto/understand-sd-card-lingo-and-compatibility/