PC Fan Control, Touch-Screen Style
It's apparently so unique, an Aerocool sales rep pointed out that the company's two-panel touch-screen fan control system is patented!
While touch-screen fan controls for the PC aren't exactly new (Google for NZXT's SENTRY 2), Aerocool thinks its Touch-2000 is unique. After all, to paraphrase a sales rep who spoke to us at COMPUTEX 2010, "it's patented!"
He was talking about the Touch-2000's two-panel configuration, or how it takes up two 5.25" expansion slots in front of a typical PC case. The added real-estate creates enough space for the following ports: 1 x eSATA, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm mic-in, 1 x 3.5mm line-out and as pictures show, the Touch-2000 can control up to four fans, and even features Celsius-Fahrenheit conversion for customers who can't handle the metric system.
While the sales rep couldn't come up with a specific price, he did point us to Aerocool's website. The product page does provide a healthy amount of info, including contact info for the sole US distributor and even the manual. Ultimately though, aside from the cool retro Knight Rider aesthetics, what makes a touch-screen PC fan control panel worth the buy?
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Those panels are cool, but total bling.
Meh. I simply open up the side if I need more cooling....
Hrmmmm... I could dig it, if it didn't break the bank to do so.
Its supposed to be a FAN controller but they were so focused on the bling that they forgot about the FAN controller aspect if it, two 5.25 bays to control only 4 fans? The money used to add unnecessary add-ons like USB and eSATA could have been used to develop the FAN control part of it. A cheap $20 3.5" controller can control 5 fans and they do a damn good job at it.
Minor correction, the Celsius temperature scale isn't part of the metric system as the latter only deal with length measurements.
Nor is it actually part of the SI standard ('International Standard of Units') as Kelvin is the natural unit choice for temperature.
It's just the most common, and sensible, day-to-day reference unit for temperature.
Looks nice for a display unit or to impress ones friends.
Minor correction, the Celsius temperature scale isn't part of the metric system as the latter only deal with length measurements.Nor is it actually part of the SI standard ('International Standard of Units') as Kelvin is the natural unit choice for temperature.It's just the most common, and sensible, day-to-day reference unit for temperature.
Well the metric system not only measures lengths but volume and wieght as well.
Oh and I'll stick with Fahrenheit for a personal pref.
That's funny you post this. I just got the small aerocool 1000 last week for my new build. Matches my Lian Li case brushed aluminum case perfectly and doesn't over-do it with the bling.
These things are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to reading temps. I can imagine the performance for this unit in no way justifies the price, whatever it is.
Exodite2,
The metric system measures more than just length, and Celsius temperature scale has always been a part of it.
Actually, Celsius is part of the SI Units, it is specifically referenced in the SI as a 'coherent derived unit'.
That is pretty ugly, and only 4 fans?? Waste of time. There are much better looking units out there with better features.
Bling, bling, look at me! Looks slick, but ultimately there are less shiner options that will perform just as well and take up only one 5.25 bay. Maybe if they had included a card reader as well as the USB and e-SATA...
that certainly looks cool
Whoa, that's pretty crazy. I've got a Sentry 2 and it's admittedly gimmicky but fairly nice (Does what I wanted, and I picked it up pretty cheap).
That one just seems like a little overkill though.
they sell it at ncix right now for 66 dollars...not really bad for the price
A bit too fancy for my tastes. Not too bad for $66CAD though.
"The metric system measures more than just length, and Celsius temperature scale has always been a part of it."
Indeed, it also measures area and volume - derived units - as well as mass. It's even been extended to encompass time.
It does not cover temperature however.
"Actually, Celsius is part of the SI Units, it is specifically referenced in the SI as a 'coherent derived unit'."
*sigh* Right, don't let me stop you from patting yourself on the back. Pretty much everything is recorded in SI, if for no other reason than conversion and comparison.
Celsius is not the base unit for temperature in SI however, Kelvin is.
In any case my original point seems to have gotten lost in the rabid needs to debunk my post - Celsius is not a metric unit.
So unique that it's two bay design qualifies as justification for a patent ?
Errrr.... don't tell NZXT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811992004
^but it isn't touch screen
As stated by many, "only four fans?" In 2 5-1/4" Bays? There are 6 fan contollers that take up a 5-1/4" bay. How about a 8-10 fan controller for that size?
I have the one in the top bay in my rig. It beeps extremely loud when adjusting.
Really is pretty cool for the price, i found this for 51.99 over at Directron - Just search for touch 2000, it's the first result.
"Ultimately though, aside from the cool retro Knight Rider aesthetics, what makes a touch-screen PC fan control panel worth the buy?"
You just answered your own question "cool retro Knight Rider aesthetics"!
I almost made a decision to buy it...
I had a bad experience with NZXT Sentry 2 suddenly stopping all the fans of my case...
If everything must be touch - then why not. But otherwise, no need.
As said above, if they add a card reader, and make it one CD/DVD bay, then I would consider it. The flat touch screen nature is good for cases with limited or no clearance behind the front door. The Fractal R2 comes to mind as a good case for this kind of thing.
Ah, I think I'll stick with what I've got right now. It's always worked great for me, and I'm sure it will well into the future. Probably will outlast the rest of my PC when I come to think about it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product
Two fans more than what that 2-bay behemoth can handle, and it doesn't scream at you when you try to turn your fans up, either. Heck, I could by a ThermalRight TRUE Black for what that thing costs.
I have the older Zalman fan controller. Thing works great and is well built. I now use it to test fans at different speeds. I just let the board control my fans or use low speed fans now. Back when i got my ZM MFC1, I actually needed to have faster fans. New case designs have changed that.
The producers of the CSI television series just bought up 2 dozen of these. Should make their "crime labs" look considerably cooler for when they have to "zoom in" and "enhance".
I don't really see the point behind all that, but if you want one, go ahead.
I thought your original point was that you're anal retentive.