Alienware HUB Docking Sound System - A closer look
(Page 3 of 6 )
Removed from its protective cardboard enclosure, the HUB can now be subjected to all the poking and prodding of us wannabe scientists here at Developer Shed HQ (aka Area 51.5).
Here’s a shot of the whole unit. Molded in black and silver, the HUB shows its Alienware logo prominently out in front. To begin our closer look, I suppose we should start at the top.
At the top of the unit is the docking location for the Alienware brand MP3 player. It slides into the jacks at the bottom of the cradle, and then swings down to become snugly attached to the HUB. In this mode, the HUB can easily be picked up and carried around, bringing MP3 goodness wherever you may travel (assuming you’ve stocked it with 8 "D" batteries).
The dock itself is removable, leaving an open area where you can actually set another device to be hooked up to the HUB. When I saw this, my first thought was that I could plug my iPod right into the port inside the opening. Unfortunately, the audio connector has a specialized card connector attached to it, so you cannot utilize it. Instead, you must plug your peripherals into the line-in jack on the back.
The tray, upon being removed, is a remarkably simple piece of equipment. The very fact that it is removable and of such simple design makes me wonder if perhaps the folks at Alienware may have, at one time, considered making additional “plug-in” adapters for holding other audio devices. To be honest, if they had a plug-in for my iPod, I would pick it up.
Okay, the top is done. Let's move on.
Next: A look at the controls >>
More Mobile Devices Articles
More By Rich Smith
