Ferm temp control is nice but I have had GREAT success with Closed Pressurized Fermentation coupled with my AC unit. I am not a lager guy so being able to do all that would require more space which I do not have and a substantial investment to do it so I am not screwing with frozen water bottles or other PITA things. Here is a link:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/closed-system-pressurized-fermentation-technique-44344/
I also have a single tier keggle system and some nice stuff to but being able to brew up a 13-14 gallon batch in nearly the same time as a 5 gallon to me is priceless.
I ferment in (3) short 1/4 bbls and (2) standard 1/2 bbls. I serve from tall 1/4 bbls and have a 1/6th bbl.
Scoring the gear was work and luck mixed but not impossible. I found LOTS of my gear on Craigs List and rummage/garage sales for DIRT CHEAP. There is no way I could justify the money on going to corney kegs. I also have the ability to tap a standard keg whenever I may want which has only happened 1 time but it is still nice to have the option.
Just an idea...