Because your PC should smell nice: Apacer adds essential oil diffuser to SSD

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Editor's take: The number of peripherals designed to release fragrances at computer desks is growing at a curious pace. To that end, Taiwanese company Apacer claims that external SSDs can provide an augmented sensory experience if a few drops of essential oil are applied to their surface.

Asus introduced the Fragrance Mouse earlier this year, aiming to bring a fragrant, almost synesthetic experience to the otherwise metallic world of computers. Now, another Taiwanese manufacturer is embracing the same concept while adding a touch of environmental friendliness.

Apacer claims the AS712 is the world's first SSD with an essential oil diffuser, designed for tech workers who deserve to dream of a more relaxed lifestyle while battling unreliable machines and confused corporate users.

The portable solid-state drive comes with a fixed "cradle" and a diffuser stone, both made from sustainable materials includng natural bamboo and reservoir silt. While the cradle isn't strictly required – the SSD can connect to a PC via a USB-C cable – it is essential for getting the full sensory experience.

Users can add a few drops of essential oil to either the SSD's bamboo surface or the diffuser stone in the cradle, start the PC, and enjoy a newly fragrant workspace. The oil isn't included in the box, and adding more than two drops isn't recommended, as it could damage the device.

While Apacer is emphasizing the AS712's unique aesthetics and sustainability, the technical specs are solid. The external SSD is available in a 1TB capacity and supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface. It uses 3D NAND flash chips, delivering sequential read speeds of up to 1,000 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 900 MB/s.

Both the cradle and the SSD are crafted from natural bamboo, giving each AS712 unit unique characteristics. Apacer notes that bamboo can naturally vary in node placement, texture, and color tone.

The AS712 SSD supports a wide range of operating systems and platforms, including macOS and Chrome OS. Apacer offers a three-year limited warranty, though pricing details have not been disclosed. It's likely that nature enthusiasts and affluent PC users will be willing to pay a premium for this kind of IT novelty.

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Because your PC should smell nice: Apacer adds essential oil diffuser to SSD

 

[NumberNine]

Wow... Just... wow.

 

[amghwk]

W.....T.....F.......

 

[GeoffreyA]

This one should win award of the year.

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

Hack in some marijuana scent should do it

 

[Axeia]

Who came up with this idea. This guy Wishing his search smelled better?
https://www.techspot.com/news/106287-judge-refuses-man-search-landfill-lost-706-million.html
https://www.techspot.com/news/95503-british-engineer-who-threw-away-hard-drive-holding.html
https://www.techspot.com/news/105839-man-narrows-landfill-search-771-million-bitcoin-hard.html
https://www.techspot.com/news/105182-man-who-threw-away-500m-bitcoin-hard-drive.html

 

[VitalyT]

I remember from about 15 years ago, a PC gadget able to synthesize any smell, though I cannot track it back anymore. And now on to these days, we still do not have anything like that. Instead, we get some stupid perfume dispensers, like this one, which is as needed as that phone+shaver-all-in-one.

 

[scoffer]

Makes a change for the people who like to smell their own farts I suppose.

 

[BadThad]

When you run out of ideas and this is the best you can come up with.....SMH

 

[stewi0001]

Hey if it is using the heat generated from using the SSD then sure why not. Honestly I enjoy people trying to think of new ideas like that printer that was posted a while ago.

Is this the most amazing idea in the world? Probably not, but at least someone is trying.

 

[CalmKoala]

I’m furious to see brands adding fragrance and essential oils into tech products like mice and external drives. This isn’t a harmless gimmick, it’s a serious health risk for people like me who live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

When I’m exposed to fragrances or essential oils, I don’t just find them unpleasant. I get sinus pain, dizziness, brain fog, a croaky voice, fatigue, and migraines. I’ve seen two allergy specialists who confirmed my reactions. There’s no cure or simple medication. This is a disability I have to manage every day.

It’s already exhausting dealing with automatic sprays in shops or strong perfumes in public. Now imagine being forced to work around devices that deliberately emit fragrance.

This condition is invisible, which makes it easy for others to dismiss or gaslight. But the reactions are real and disabling. Adding fragrance to essential tools isn’t innovation, it’s exclusion.

 

[human7]

Lol, but why an SSD and not components that already have fans? Just imagine all the new GPU variants that could be on the market today...