The folks at Pressure Drop believe that stylish computer peripherals needn't be an oxymoron. However natural a philosophy that may seem for a company whose accessories are designed mostly for Apple products, Pressure Drop's "Art-Techno" movement, as the company bills it, has yielded a number of offerings that pack extra pizzazz.

DecoDock with blue base and DecoDock Lava Edition

The DecoDock provides a funky little home for your iPod shuffle when it is charging or synchronizing. Functionally the DecoDock is identical to every other iPod shuffle dock, which tend to be little more than USB extension cables with a base. The DecoDock looks like nothing else out there, however, with its bright powder coated base and white LED-illuminated translucent sides that matches with your iPod shuffle to resemble an art-deco music box. A little notch on the back even holds your iPod shuffle cap.

The DecoDock is not without its shortcomings, however. The USB 2.0 cable Pressure Drop includes is heavily shielded, unlike Apple's cables, and the weight will tip your DecoDock backwards if it's towards the back edge of your desk. While this can be remedied by moving the DecoDock a couple inches in, it would be nice for the DecoDock to have a heavier base. At the same time, some sort of tactile grip on the bottom would also be appreciated, especially by owners of glass-top desks that make it only too easy for the DecoDock's smooth painted finish to skate around. The construction of the DecoDock is also exact to the iPod shuffle's dimensions, meaning if you're iPod shuffle is housed in any kind of protective sleeve or case you'll need to remove it first. One last point potential buyers should be aware of: the DecoDock remains illuminated at all times when it's plugged in, whether the iPod shuffle is docked or not. In an age of glowing LEDs this probably won't be much of annoyance for most potential owners, but it might be for some.

At $28.99 direct from Pressure Drop, the DecoDock costs a dollar less than Apple's white plastic iPod shuffle dock and offers plenty more character, assuming you haven't surrendered entirely to Apple's sterile lines of late. If you are in the market for an iPod shuffle dock and want something different, Pressure Drop operators are standing by.

DecoDock is available with pink, green, cobalt, obsidian, silver, and white bases. A Lava Edition for the same price sports red LEDs and a black base. A limited edition Indepdenence Day version, still available, costs $31.99 and features red LEDs on one side and blue on the other with a silver base.