May the Force Be with You

Whoever designs the majority of computer paraphernalia couldn’t have gone to design school. Naturally, we were both drawn to this cool product that is not just a replica of our favorite robot in black but also a USB hub. Yes, we’re both Star Wars geeks—ahem, the original Star Wars. They even have a Darth Vader version for those of you like me who are drawn to the dark side. Yes, I had a crush on Darth Vader as a child. You got a problem with that?

I’m always trying to hide my ugly computer paraphernalia or rather any electronics stuff. Why can’t someone design attractive electronics?How is this in anyway “attractive” I realize that my obsession with hiding things could be the Classic in me (love to have things hidden behind closed doors or drawers). But, I know way too many other types who also hide this kind of stuff. When I googled “attractive USB hubs” this picture to the right is what came up.  Seriously? This is what’s considered attractive computer equipment? I guess it’s small. I managed to find more stuff by googling “funky usb hubs”—these included a robot owl and a humping dog USB. The only one I kinda liked was this retro hub that looks like a cassette tape. What I noticed though was every link to cool hubs included our R2D2 and/or Darth Vader hub idea.

Now, one could argue that R2D2 is not exactly high-end design but there’s a certain kitsch to it that it could work on a bookcase or on top of a desk and seem fun instead of utilitarian. Plus, it’s benign and it seems the best of the lot outside of the robot owl and the humping dog. No thanks.