A dual-purpose computer according to the invention has a gravity-actuated switch mounted therein or thereon. The gravity-actuated switch is used to control the speed of a cooling fan for the computer. When the computer is operated in a horizontal orientation such as a typical rack-mounted server would be, the gravity actuated switch assumes a first state. When the computer is operated in a vertical orientation such as a typical desk side workstation would be, the gravity actuated switch assumes a second state. When the switch is in the first state, fan speed controller circuitry runs the fan at a first speed. When the switch is in the second state, fan speed controller circuitry runs the fan at a second speed. In one embodiment, the first speed is a higher speed intended to optimize reliability, and the second speed is a lower speed intended to minimize noise.