PC Fan Control, Touch-Screen Style

News
By Rico Mossesgeld
published

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?

Rico Mossesgeld
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33 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Trueno07
    Those panels are cool, but total bling.
    Reply
  • madass
    Meh. I simply open up the side if I need more cooling....
    Reply
  • mtyermom
    Hrmmmm... I could dig it, if it didn't break the bank to do so.
    Reply
  • 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.
    Reply
  • aaron686
    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.
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    Looks nice for a display unit or to impress ones friends.
    Reply
  • sirmorluk
    Exodite2Minor 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.
    Reply
  • Dirtman73
    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.
    Reply
  • drudometkin
    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.
    Reply
  • 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'.
    Reply