Computer people are caffeinated people, whether they are IT professionals, graphic designers or just serious gamers. Whether they prefer their beverages hot or cold, they are rarely behind the keyboard or controller without a caffeinated beverage by their side. Along comes the USB Electric Cup Warmer, which is also a cup cooler.
This device is geek-certified because it operates by being plugged into a pc or laptop USB port. Alternating between heating and cooling is easy, just toggle the switch on the back of the device. No on and off switch needed, but also no ability to plug it into a regular AC outlet, this one is strictly for the computer box. Even though it is an electric cup warmer, it only pulls down five volts of power, so it will not affect computer speed.
This pretty amazing little device keeps the coffee and tea temps between 120-140 F. If Mountain Dew or energy drinks are the cool caffeine of choice, it accomplishes this too. The gist of the technology involves a heat exchanger and a little bitty fan within the unit combining together as a type of beverage air conditioning unit. How does 55 degrees of liquid enjoyment sound?
For tech spec heads, here is the scoop. This electric cup warmer (and cooler) weighs about a pound and fits on a desk nicely at just over five inches long and a bit over three inches wide. It works with any USB port equipped computer and the connecting cable is three and a half feet long.
There are a lot of these devices available online and it pays to shop around. The USB device is unique simply because it does the job via the computer. Being able to switch from hot to cold also rocks, especially as seasons change. There is a real possibility that even the most serious gamer will eventually leave the building, of course, taking computer and beverage along for the ride.