Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0
The TARDIS USB Hub is a must for any casual or hardcore fan of the popular and record-breaking BBC show known as Doctor Who. The product is officially licensed by the BBC, and sells at a rather cheap price depending on your supplier. It is a truthful mini replica of the Doctor's vehicle, and features a very pretty package which makes the device appear as if it is hurtling through its very own mini time vortex.
This article contains original images. All images in this article are pictures taken by Drac, and are thus property of DRACONICARTS.
This article contains original images. All images in this article are pictures taken by Drac, and are thus property of DRACONICARTS.
Summary of Experience
Me holding my TARDIS!
Being an avid fan of geeky things, I immediately began to have a craving for strange office and computer accessories after I (rapidly) became addicted to BBC's famous show, Doctor Who. As such, I began looking up TARDIS products. The first thing I stumbled upon just so happened to be this nifty little gadget. In excitement, I ran downstairs and ordered it as fast as possible.
For strange and geeky objects like this, I always use ThinkGeek.com. For those of you looking at this and drooling, you can click here to order your TARDIS.
My order was delivered to me via UPS, and I received an email with a tracking code to track where y TARDIS was at all times. The shipping was fantastic, and my TARDIS promptly arrived, hidden within the potted plant outside my front door (thieves would never look inside the potted plants) in a mere three days. Bear in mind that this was one day earlier than their projected delivery rate of four days. My TARDIS now had a happy place on my desk and I am entirely satisfied with my amazing service. Another win for ThinkGeek.com.
For strange and geeky objects like this, I always use ThinkGeek.com. For those of you looking at this and drooling, you can click here to order your TARDIS.
My order was delivered to me via UPS, and I received an email with a tracking code to track where y TARDIS was at all times. The shipping was fantastic, and my TARDIS promptly arrived, hidden within the potted plant outside my front door (thieves would never look inside the potted plants) in a mere three days. Bear in mind that this was one day earlier than their projected delivery rate of four days. My TARDIS now had a happy place on my desk and I am entirely satisfied with my amazing service. Another win for ThinkGeek.com.
Product Details
(Estimated) Delivery Time: (Based on ThinkGeek shopping) 3-4 days
My Delivery Time from ThinkGeek: (A very nice) Three (3) days
Product Size: 14.6 centimetres tall; 10.2 centimetres wide (square)
Product Box Size (centimetres): 11.4 wide, 9.5 deep, 17.3 tall
My Delivery Time from ThinkGeek: (A very nice) Three (3) days
Product Size: 14.6 centimetres tall; 10.2 centimetres wide (square)
Product Box Size (centimetres): 11.4 wide, 9.5 deep, 17.3 tall
Another close-up of the infamous blue box.
Product Features
+ Authentic TARDIS replica (comes complete with BBC authenticity and a pretty instruction manual!)
+ No software to install! Of course, it does have to install the driver software. But on my computer (Gateway, about three years old, still pretty fast, has an external hard drive) it took all of two seconds to download. You can spare that, right? For a TARDIS...
+ Blue LED light on top flashes and TARDIS sound plays when a device is inserted into the hub! In relation to this feature: some people don't really want to have TARDIS sounds echoing in their ears every time they plug something into their computer. That's fine! The good people who developed this kept that in mind! Turn your TARDIS around, look towards the base, and you'll find a handy little switch which allows you to set your TARDIS to mute! As a little bonus, the light flashes no matter what! The sign acts as a demo button, and can be pressed at any time for time-travelling fantasies at work or school! Okay, well, don't use it at school. That might get your TARDIS confiscated! [This feature may not work when you plug in a camera. Printers are recommended to be plugged in via a separately sold port adapter.]
+ Decals and stickers are super-adhesive and come attached by default from ThinkGeek! The stickers are comprised of the sign and the set of four thinner stickers which make the "Police [Public Call] Box" sign which is located at the top of your TARDIS.
+ Includes a mini time vortex! It's the product box! What will packaging companies think of next? Not to mention it's secure in the package, but not overdone. It only took me five minutes to untie the TARDIS from the base.
+ Nice long cable so you can even use it with those pesky artefacts known as CPU's! It also comes in handy for people like me who use a laptop and a small rolling desk.
+ The four USB ports on the hub are compatible with virtually every USB 2.0 device imaginable! It may take a little bit of practice to figure out how to insert the drives, as it's a snug fit. However, after a few uses, the ports will be easier to use. If you're plugging in a midget drive or a wireless mouse stub, I recommend you plug in a larger USB device (such as an iPod chord or large USB drive) a few times to make it easier to plug the smaller devices in.
+ No software to install! Of course, it does have to install the driver software. But on my computer (Gateway, about three years old, still pretty fast, has an external hard drive) it took all of two seconds to download. You can spare that, right? For a TARDIS...
+ Blue LED light on top flashes and TARDIS sound plays when a device is inserted into the hub! In relation to this feature: some people don't really want to have TARDIS sounds echoing in their ears every time they plug something into their computer. That's fine! The good people who developed this kept that in mind! Turn your TARDIS around, look towards the base, and you'll find a handy little switch which allows you to set your TARDIS to mute! As a little bonus, the light flashes no matter what! The sign acts as a demo button, and can be pressed at any time for time-travelling fantasies at work or school! Okay, well, don't use it at school. That might get your TARDIS confiscated! [This feature may not work when you plug in a camera. Printers are recommended to be plugged in via a separately sold port adapter.]
+ Decals and stickers are super-adhesive and come attached by default from ThinkGeek! The stickers are comprised of the sign and the set of four thinner stickers which make the "Police [Public Call] Box" sign which is located at the top of your TARDIS.
+ Includes a mini time vortex! It's the product box! What will packaging companies think of next? Not to mention it's secure in the package, but not overdone. It only took me five minutes to untie the TARDIS from the base.
+ Nice long cable so you can even use it with those pesky artefacts known as CPU's! It also comes in handy for people like me who use a laptop and a small rolling desk.
+ The four USB ports on the hub are compatible with virtually every USB 2.0 device imaginable! It may take a little bit of practice to figure out how to insert the drives, as it's a snug fit. However, after a few uses, the ports will be easier to use. If you're plugging in a midget drive or a wireless mouse stub, I recommend you plug in a larger USB device (such as an iPod chord or large USB drive) a few times to make it easier to plug the smaller devices in.
Product Warnings
<!> (If you didn't know about this warning, then you either never touched a USB in your life or should consult whoever taught you to use a computer, because they skimmed over an important part!) Never force a USB into the port with excess force. This will result in possible damage to the product or (even worse) yourself! They're like electrical chords. Just don't. You run the risk of angering a TARDIS.
<!> It's loud. Unless you want the crap beaten out of you, I suggest you not use it in the presence of sleeping people who could hear it.
<!> We are not responsible if any of the following result from this product: You are abducted from your home and taken on epic adventures with a mad British man who says he's the Doctor (unless he wears brainy specks or has a bow tie fetish, just don't), possible insanity, addiction to TARDIS noises and flashing blue lights, invasions by Daleks, random cracks in your wall/the universe appearing, possible destruction of the planet, and/or any other insanity which could occur.
<!> The Chameleon Circuit on this one's broken, too. Sorry, folks. Try another place.
<!> Don't try and fit inside or open the doors. You can't fit. I tried. On a more serious note, the doors do not open. If you attempt to open the doors, it may cause damage to you or the product. Do not try and open the doors.
<!> Do not tamper with, open, incinerate, vandalize, or in any other way tamper with the device. This is against the law, and voids any return policies you may have to resort to if your TARDIS gets broken. Then you'll be very sad, because you'll have an invalid TARDIS that used to be awesome.
<!> No matter how much it seems, this product is not a toy. Do not give it to a child as a plaything. The chords could cause strangulation and many other bad things may happen. Seriously, it's not a toy.
<!> It's an electrical device. Don't be stupid and use it around water.
<!> The package says it's not for young children due to small parts. Though, if I were you, I wouldn't even let a child touch it. Why? It's my TARDIS. Get off!
<!> It's loud. Unless you want the crap beaten out of you, I suggest you not use it in the presence of sleeping people who could hear it.
<!> We are not responsible if any of the following result from this product: You are abducted from your home and taken on epic adventures with a mad British man who says he's the Doctor (unless he wears brainy specks or has a bow tie fetish, just don't), possible insanity, addiction to TARDIS noises and flashing blue lights, invasions by Daleks, random cracks in your wall/the universe appearing, possible destruction of the planet, and/or any other insanity which could occur.
<!> The Chameleon Circuit on this one's broken, too. Sorry, folks. Try another place.
<!> Don't try and fit inside or open the doors. You can't fit. I tried. On a more serious note, the doors do not open. If you attempt to open the doors, it may cause damage to you or the product. Do not try and open the doors.
<!> Do not tamper with, open, incinerate, vandalize, or in any other way tamper with the device. This is against the law, and voids any return policies you may have to resort to if your TARDIS gets broken. Then you'll be very sad, because you'll have an invalid TARDIS that used to be awesome.
<!> No matter how much it seems, this product is not a toy. Do not give it to a child as a plaything. The chords could cause strangulation and many other bad things may happen. Seriously, it's not a toy.
<!> It's an electrical device. Don't be stupid and use it around water.
<!> The package says it's not for young children due to small parts. Though, if I were you, I wouldn't even let a child touch it. Why? It's my TARDIS. Get off!