Why does it take so long to release black fan versions?

Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by navane on Saturday May 02, 2026 @05:58AM (#47984959)

My fan broke after five? years of near 24/7 use. Customer support was very easy to reach. They sent me a new one after I sent some serial numbers as proof. They asked me then to break off a blade, and a picture of it so I didn't have to sent it back.

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by herbst on Saturday May 02, 2026 @07:41AM (#47985538)

I get why. But that still seems wasteful

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by layer8 on Saturday May 02, 2026 @07:49AM (#47985573)

If the old one could still be used, they shouldn’t send a new one anyway.

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by breakingcups on Saturday May 02, 2026 @07:57AM (#47985629)

Well, if it can still be repaired but the producer doesn't want to bother and just sends a new fan, that's fine. That doesn't mean a repairable product should be destroyed and sent to a landfill just because it makes Noctua's logistics easier.

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by layer8 on Saturday May 02, 2026 @08:17AM (#47985759)

The point is, if the owner thinks it can be repaired, they shouldn’t call for a replacement in the first place. And indeed they wouldn’t get one, because they wouldn’t break the blade. So it’s completely under control of the owner.

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by Levitating on Saturday May 02, 2026 @09:26AM (#47986222)

Sure but the owner could've technically been left with a spare part in this case

Though it's not that likely that users will try to replace the blades on a fan.

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by exitb on Saturday May 02, 2026 @09:22AM (#47986191)

But would it be more wasteful than shipping a parcel with broken equipment?

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by dyauspitr on Saturday May 02, 2026 @11:14AM (#47987129)

It’s a chilling effect on folks that buy one noctua fan and want to get another free one by claiming the first one is broken.

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Re:Why does it take so long to release black fan versions? by DrNefario on Saturday May 02, 2026 @01:12PM (#47988288)

Anecdotally, when my Xtrfy MZ1 mouse cable started shorting 5V to ground, they required a similar process (cutting the cable) before sending a replacement.

This was their response when I asked why: > Yes this policy was put in place because there was multiple instances of people reselling their faulty products after receiving a replacement.

> The secondhand buyers then reached out to us, let down to have received a broken product.

I'd imagine it's a similar reason for Noctua.

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