We’ve been working on two new faceplates for our systems—one in stainless steel and another in aluminum—and we’d love to get your thoughts!
What inspired this?
We received several requests for faceplates that match Network switches, so this is a concept we created based on that feedback. We’re still prototyping, and more designs are in the works!
We’d love to hear from you:
Which material do you prefer—stainless steel or aluminum?
My concern with the Aluminum is it would have to be sealed with clear coat/powder or anodize or it will oxidize overtime.
But as jrhenderson said, I think getting a close match to the Ubiquiti color will probably print you money. I been looking around for decent compute server rack chassis, and one of the other companies that is in homelab market has people asking for a color match to Ubiquiti alot.
Overall I love that you are starting to really offer panels for the HL15 since its so modular, hoping some day we get more rear panel options from the other lines like the redundant PSU style, or the SSD backplane for boot drives, etc that I have seen on other models.
As shared a bead blasted aluminum would be ideal. That is what Apple does, and I believe it’s what Ubiquiti is trying to copy. Robert Pera (the founder of Ubiquiti) started his career as an engineer at Apple.
I should also note, while a faceplate only option would be acceptable, Having the entire case in the satin aluminium would be ideal. It would brighten things up when working inside the case. I have considered ordered a white body for this reason. I think your 45labs Grey is preferable to black in this respect, but silver everywhere would be my first choice. I’ve seriously considered stripping and painting the whole thing.
Edit: Even if the case is black still, it would be nice for the rack ears to match.
Of those two examples I like the stainless steel one the most, however having the ubiquiti silver colour would also be nice in my humble opinion since I have 4 of their devices racked up.
For everyone wanting Ubiquiti Silver, I know there’s a spray paint that is near exactly a match, so how would you all feel if they offered a Primer Paint-Yourself faceplate so that anyone can do any color they wanted?
I like the stainless steel!! I’m imagining one or two of these in a rack, starkly minimal, with a green led glow behind the fans.
I agree with the above, the aluminum should be bead blasted as well as anodized, clear coated, or both. I don’t think raw aluminum looks that great at first, and it sure doesn’t look great oxidized.
It would brighten things up when working inside the case. I have considered ordered a white body for this reason. I think your 45labs Grey is preferable to black in this respect, but silver everywhere would be my first choice. I’ve seriously considered stripping and painting the whole thing.