We just recently saw
some of the entries in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition that's happening in New York on February 27th. The designer of one of those entries, the cardboard-housed Recompute, was kind enough to contact us with some more detail about his computer, including a few specs. The fully functional PC houses all off-the-shelf components, including an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, and 2GB of RAM. The designer, Brenden Macaluso, also mentioned that there's been some concern over the safety of using cardboard -- but his reasoning with regards to the materials is that cardboard is more heat-resistant than many plastics, with a much higher fire and ignition point -- 258°C and 427°C, respectively -- where plastics begin to melt at about 120°C. The designer also stressed that the material that Recompute is made out is just one facet of its sustainability: just as important in this design is the idea that less time, labor and parts go into the production of the unit, and that there will ultimately be far less to dispose of when the computer has reached the end of its life cycle. Check some more photos of Recompute after the break.
posted Feb 5th 2009 1:58AM
kinda ugly, but neat.
Too right it's neat. Actually, for me, this is the definition of "why didn't I think of that"?
The corrugation acts as perfect ventilation, it's not likely to catch fire from the computer components, it's environmentally friendly...
It seems to tick all the boxes except durability...What if someone sat on it?
What about if it gets wet?
You don't see plastic "melting" over some mere water... or even mild humidity
And since when are computer cases made of plastic? Mine is made of Aluminum, and last I checked its melting point was 660 degrees Celsius and doesn't ignite until exposed to much higher temperatures. I also use my PC case/PSU as the common component in building new computers after selling older parts (ie. Mobo, CPU, potentially RAM, video card) at a reduced rate to offset the upgrade costs. My last computer upgrade gave me a net of $10 and I upgraded to tech 2 years newer.
Now THAT's sustainability!
... cute idea, though
"Not likely to catch fire". Let's see what the marketing department can do with that.
Its an HP model.
HP = Homeless Person
Aarun - Don't you hate it when people sit on your computer?
There's a reason why manufacturers ship their heavy and delicate products in cardboard boxes. You ever kick a double layer corrugated cardboard? This thing is like 10+ layers.
I don't usually spill drinks on my computer anyway.
I agree - I'm asking myself "why didn't anyone think of this before?" I mean, people have been mounting computers in cardboard boxes and pizza boxes since time immemorial, but this really classes it up.
And am I the only one who actually kinda likes the aesthetic?
I've got an idea...
empty gallon of milk Jug turned into a computer capable of running CRYSIS.
I know a 15-year old who spills soda pop on everything. He somehow got dropplets on the INSIDE of the cooling hood of his PE 650 (old workstation). The case latch is usually glued shut from the sugar syrup.
RoboDan: computer cases and computer components are made of plastic parts, even if the entire thing isn't. The point is that if those things aren't catching fire or melting in your case, neither will cardboard.
Anyway, this crap is ugly. Don't even buy a case. Just have the components exposed on your desk, and throw a towel over it whenever you have visitors.
@Aarun:
http://www.dssw.co.uk/blog/2008/05/07/macworld-review-awards-power-manager-3-high-marks/
So what's this going to be shipped in? Shrinkwrap?
Actually it is shipped in a rare metal alloy case using Metalic inks. The inner packaging in NON cfc free foam made from rare Brazilian Rainforest trees for better cusioning of the more delicate computer and the whole thing is lovingly put together in a cramped chinese sweatshop by 8 year old boys, and girls.
Maus
Well, if you move you'll never have to pack it.
You can get it painted in a variety of lead paints. Then you get it shipped on a private jet for maximum envirodestruction.
how about recycled aluminum? that way your pc is renewed and doesnt look like crap
Well, quite a bit more energy goes into recycling aluminum and using it for construction than does for paper and cardboard.
The environmental impact of all the stuff that goes inside a computer case far outweighs that of the case itself. Does he have plans on how he's going to recycle all the toxins and heavy metals contained in the components?
Maybe Apple will file a law suit on this one. :p
http://www.riscx.com/mac_modding/images/apple_1.jpg
I want to sue your mom for giving birth to you, you're just as annoying as iEye and Flashpoint combined.
But how often do you throw away a computer case?
Every 4yrs...
If it's a Mac, every 6 months.
If you're a building, probably not that often. But most people buy their computers prefabricated.
Actually I'm a bus station, so I change every 13 years.
Not for the last 5 years - and I probably won't unless they magically invent some new standard that makes ATX/mATX obsolete
Never. It would only make sense to throw a case away if you stripped it of all useful components first, and it's easier to keep the whole case. Motherboards, I'll throw out (though mostly I don't), but not cases. (Yes, I've even got a couple AT cases around; the PSUs are nicer than ATX for some random projects, and fans, LEDs, and switches never go out of style.)
The environmental impact of _my_ computing life is being deferred till I'm dead; they can buy a landfill for my junk with the proceeds from my estate sale. Or maybe they'll have efficient recycling figured out by then.
don't leave it in the rain.
would you leave your current pc in the rain?
or even mild humitidy
... or spill coffee on it.
Plastic might burn quicker, but most of the computer cases I've seen are made out of metal. Also, those metal cases help transfer heat out of the case, rather then hold it in. It's unlikely to hold in enough heat for a fire, but it could help to overhead the system in general. Lastly, Cardboard can absorb water from the outside and transfer it into the inside, exposing venerable electronics to a possible short. As everyone knows, an electrical spark is more then hot enough to set off a fire.
Yes, wouldn't want to get those sacred electronics wet.
I guess those are pretty valid points but i am still amazed at the concept.
+100
But if the cardboard is moist enough to cause the electrical components to short then it's not going to be dry enough to ignite. Have you ever tried to ignite wet cardboard?
> most of the computer cases I've seen are made out of metal
Than you missed about 100% of mainstream market: prefabricated PC boxes. They are all made mostly from plastic. For bigger PCs, they might have some tin mesh to support plastic, but rest is plastic.
> It's unlikely to hold in enough heat for a fire, but it could help to overhead the system in general.
About 80% (my un-scientific estimate) of prefabricated PCs do not heat to that level and have single fan - in power supply.
Usable office PCs are really smallish nowadays.
> Lastly, Cardboard can absorb water from the outside and transfer it into the inside, exposing venerable electronics to a possible short.
Most PC have inside temperature of about 40C. Moisture would be evaporating.
Though this is a valid point is such PC was turned off for prolonged time.
> As everyone knows, an electrical spark is more then hot enough to set off a fire.
I'm not sure about safety standards you have in US, but in rest of the world, PCs obliged to have everything shielded and grounded. Sparks are unlikely. Single accidental spark isn't dangerous. Also there are some types of recycled paper which are hard intentionally to ignite: composition is changed so that such paper does't burn nor smolder on its own.
The concept is of course joke. And should be treated as such.
I would rather have a plastic/metal case that would contain a fire, as the plastic will just smoulder, not burn, and the metal will prevent it spreading quickly.
This is an accident waiting to happen.
I'll buy it if it's cheap...
Which it should be :)
put it in fire place.
I think this is still a pretty big fire hazard.
I dont think anyone is worried about it spontaneously combusting at 427 deg....but what if the PSU or motherboard was faulty and sparked or even started its own fire? I think plastic would be much more resistant than cardboard, but in either case I'll just stick to a metal box.
Something else to think about...wouldn't cardboard shed or produce fibres? Tiny bits of wood floating would make a nicely combustible fuel source.
Silverfish home.
Ug. I hate those friggin' things. Especially when there's one up on the ceiling.
silverfish love cardboard, warm cardboard. Bugs, fleas, mmmm.
sustainable...why not use the menlow or diamondville in this thing?
or a via nano, and clockwork RAM
Why are metal cases the status quo?
Ive just thought about it, theyre expensive, heavy and mine are easily scratched.
2 words. electromagnetic interference.
That's a lot of syllables for two words.
Exactly!
I was about to comment this myself.
I guess people don't realize that even though the outside of most prebuilt systems these days are plastic, they are lined with steel, not only for structural integrity but for RF shielding.
Interference from cell phones, microwaves, or motor based appliances will cause very strange problems like reboots. Also the computers themselves are a source of interference to other devices. Here's an experiment you can do yourself with two PC's. Open the side covers of each, and aim the openings of them at each other. You're likely to see weird things start happening, although it may take some time.
This could be resolved by adding a layer of metal foil to the inside of the cardboard and then attaching it to the systems ground plane.
Eh, the first computer that was "mine" (as apposed my family's) lived the first few months of its life in a cardboard box. At the time I chatted quite a bit with my buddy down the street using CB radio (I'm a ham now so it pains me to admit that), so I'm fairly certain I exposed that computer to higher doses of EMI than most people do. Never had a problem with it.
Also, most modern day computer cases are made out of the cheapest thinnest al that they could find, I really doubt that it's doing much to shield anything.
CB operate in the upper HF range (~25Mhz), much lower than your CPU(1-3Ghz) or RAM (500+Mhz) cellphones and microwaves both opperate in the low Ghz range and are much more likely to interfere. I have had PCs with slow ram do odd things near my 440Mhz radio when they were open.
Also, the thickness does not make that much difference with RF, as long as it encloses the components, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
it's a nice idea but the case has the least impact on the environment of all the parts in a PC already. it's the mobo/cpu/psu that have heavy metals, etc and are hard to dispose of.
what happens if you spill your drink on it? I like my metal case because its indestructable
I think this is a really stupid idea. I don't the computer case is what causes most of the environmental problems that PCs have. I am sure because of the way that computer cases are made that they are already easily recyclable. In fact, I know in theory the card board will be recycled, but if this idea got popular that would probably end up creating cardboard from new paper sources. This idea is not good.
thanks Jon (tenpoundhammer.wordpress.com)
I can't help but notice that the components are traditional parts that you might find in any other computer. If the designed was really looking to push the boat out on the Green thing then why not stick in some very low power internals (Atom) or maybe have all of the PCB Boards printed on something like lasagne pasta?
You laugh it up, but I saw a news story on BBC News' 'Click' programme and I'm sure I read something similar here on Engadget. Unluckily I can't find a link - anyone prepared to back me up and make me look like a non-crazy person?
I think you might be thinking of this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/technology_dead_ringers/html/8.stm
so the case is the only part that's sustainable, since the components are off the shelf?
Oh well, I'd gotten the impression from the earlier story that the entire computer was sustainable in some way.
"MaxSMoke @ Feb 5th 2009 2:14AM
Plastic might burn quicker, but most of the computer cases I've seen are made out of metal. Also, those metal cases help transfer heat out of the case, rather then hold it in. It's unlikely to hold in enough heat for a fire, but it could help to overhead the system in general. Lastly, Cardboard can absorb water from the outside and transfer it into the inside, exposing venerable electronics to a possible short. As everyone knows, an electrical spark is more then hot enough to set off a fire."
I think it's a great idea. Max may have some valid points, but everything is negated when I read "then" instead of "than" - twice even. Not to be picking on him in particular, but it's the umteenth time I've seen it today. Don't the schools teach basic English anymore?
I would have my case be made out of plutonium and baby seals if I could.
Dont forget to give it an edgy look by adorning it with shark fins, and ivory tusks.
you live on the 5th floor and the house is on fire? well, that is the computercase you'll want to throw outta the window without worrying about its fragile content. conclusion? firesafe.
you live on the 5th floor and the house is on fire? well, that is the computercase you'll want to throw outta the window without worrying about its fragile content. conclusion? firesafe.
What about relative humidity? Carboard is pretty susceptible to buckling in a humid environment, whereas plastic, not so much.
Stop killing the idea guys! At least he is thinking forward and trying out new things! Sure it may be not all that great, but its a great step in the right direction for sustainibility.
Sustainability is great and all, but there's always a point where practicality just goes right out the window. I work in lighting development myself and as an example: I can say that I can take 450,000 lightning bugs, shove them in a glass outer for a new bio light, but it wouldn't be practical.
if you live in an area with cockroaches, this is a nightmare waiting to happen. they like hiding in computers as it is, but cardboard is where they like to lay their eggs. i'll pass.
I hope there will be online instruction, to be able to make one myself
Call it "The Canyonero"
"Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts..."
Why don't I just buy a Shuttle PC and shove it in a shoebox?
oh god, i love your comment XD
Cat owners could never buy one of them. They are just like this:
I've got 4 of them around the house and my cat is constantly tearing into them.
Er..guess no pictures allowed... I meant one of those cardboard cat scratchers
Yeah, I now what you mean. I have a couple of them myself. Expensive things.
The reason the case is ECO FRIENDLY is what's the point if people can't see you are green? I agree it's a nice idea, but it's not practical. An aluminum case is just as good and can be recycled. Just like others have said, it's not the case that's the problem - its the components. Again, the only reason this "case" would sell, is so people can show off their green "ness".
Lets see..
Fire triangle
Oxygen (well air has enough of that to support combustion)
Ignition source (think hot processor and all that electricity might count)
Fuel........ Wait... Doesn't cardboard burn?!?!?!?
Dont think i would leave this thing on 24/7
If your processor is hot enough to ignite cardboard, I think the PC case may well be the least of your problems. Or at least a little further down the list.
It would never work in Europe. The reason PC's and Mac's are going metal is for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) that is required in Europe and is coming to the US. Metal either aluminum or steel is much more recycleable to boot.
Here's my question:
I like the idea, but would rather buy the case and put in my own components. Will he be selling just the computers or will he also be selling the case by itself?
It looks very environmentally UN-friendly!
Reduce - This cardboard case uses a lot of martial - all those stacked layers add up to a many of square feet of cardboard! An aluminum case or a simpler cardboard case would reduce the amount of raw materials.
Reuse - A standard ATX case can be reused at zero cost to the environment - keep the case and upgrade the components. This cardboard case's back panel is cut for a specific motherboard. Upgrading the internal components looks like it will require some disassembly, modification, and reassembly, so it'll be more difficult to reuse.
Recycle - Recycling aluminum is more environmentally friendly than recycling cardboard. Recycling cardboard uses chemicals, and pollutes the environment more than recycling aluminum. It's better than throwing cardboard out and making new, but praising recyclable cardboard is like praising a criminal for only cutting off his victim's hands instead of outright murdering them.
There are already all-aluminum cases that are more environmentally friendly than shrouding your computer in a couple hundred square feet of corrugated cardboard.
What will happen when I spill my coffee all over it?
Last time I checked, cardboard didn't provide EMI shielding.
Don't be surprised if your cellphone has no signal near one of these.
You've seen those all-acrylic cases, right? What about cases with side windows? People don't really seem to care much about EMI anymore when designing computer cases.
The other annoying thing about cardboard and paper products in general is that they generate lots of dust as they flake off in tiny pieces.
This thing is going to be filled with dust within a year.
The dust also increases the fire concerns, as it is more flammable than the solid cardboard (greater surface area).
yeah yeah, but can you poop in it?
First off, this has already been done, SURPRISE, it just didn't have so much shitty graphics all over it. Secondly, the obvious, it's a huge fire hazard because he has the waved part facing the computers organs. (which is much more flammable then the flat smooth part of carboard). Thirdly, how is this even sustainable? Nothing new here, if anything this is just a case mod, and a bad one at that. WHY is this getting so much attention!?
My kitten would tear that thing to shreds.
I like this initiative alot. They also have this inlet outlet project that I think is going to get judged well. Ill be going to this conference and Im excited to see which 10 are going to be judged.
Two words: Aluminum foil!
Just wrap the whole thing, with extra patches to make contact to the grounded connector housings.
@RijilV: Look up Faraday cage, then come back and explain why thin aluminum isn't probably better than the old (slightly thicker) steel cases. ;) (Even a thin aluminum sheet's a better conductor, and that's all that counts.) I'd have thought hams had to know that stuff.
Fire hazard?
Steel and aluminum are easily recyclable, they are more durable and will likely last longer, provide good RF shielding, are not flammable, and can be made into much more attractive (IMO) enclosures. I used cardboard to build enclosures for my projects when I was a kid, it's a fun material, still good for prototyping, but not quite the right tool for the job here.
I wish I had taken pics when I built one similar over ten years ago.
I like the idea, a little colors and it could look okay, and I prefer my case to be made out of Steel rather than Al....also makes the case heavy as hell though
I don't understand why people are making computer cases out of cardboard. The most "green" think you can buy is a rolled steel case and just reuse it when building a new PC.
I've turned my toilet into a computer once, details coming soon
Nice idea - unfortunately, I have some doubts:
I doubt that replacing just the housing of a PC by cardboard has a huge impact on the environmental footprint of any PC. (Perhaps, even worse, if any of the components get damaged (due to water or whatever), they will have to be replaced, causing additional impact on the environment (material + gas for transport). At least, such a PC is likely to be thrown away sooner just because it starts to look dirty / ugly.)
And I am not sure about the cooling... non-enforced convection needs bigger holes to work than the channels in the corrugated board, methinks - so we likely do need a fan for the HDD.
Though, I can imagine that the corrugated board is good regarding noise, as it certainly will damp noise better than hard sheet metal.
Electromagnetic interference certainly is an issue, but will probably not cause notable problems in many home environments as long as the components are well-designed.
BTW I doubt that aluminum is used for PC cases - rather some kind of steel. Aluminum is rather weak and quite expensive.
So the real thing would be to extend the use cycle of PCs instead of creating new ones... which is certainly the less exciting option... :-/
Mozartkugels from Vienna.
Philipp
it's basically just a case, all the components are the same. Not very green or much lighter.
This idea sucks. Penis Penis Penis Penis Penis
DUMB !!
thats what i have to say of this .....
90% of the computer towers are metal ( hello....metal is recyclable )
and by making a "cardboard" casing what kind of "sustainability" is achieved ? when countless trees to be cut for "cardboard" manufacturing :-)
needless to say about the fire hazard possibility...water ingression....the clunky look....etc etc.
I didn't read all the comments, so maybe others covered these points, but.....
The case is one of the few parts that can be reused many many times. My current case has gone through 3 major upgrades. It also has many other faults. Like the ventilation being the entire sides of the case is not good. It lacks any directed air flow through the case for the passively cooled parts such as the HDD and ram. Special care would need to be taken to electrically ground each part. Plus I cant see this holding up for more than a year, especially if you move it much, like for LAN parties, and particularity if you have cats that would see it as a perfect scratching post. Nice idea, but the result is bad design that wasn't thought through completely.
crazy idea: reuse your old metal case.
the only case i've bought in the last ...12 years? was a new one for my parents since their old d(h)ell case wasn't standard. otherwise the other 4 just get upcycled as new hardware is needed.
a greener option would be commercial stripping of old cases for new machines.
What keeps this from catching on fire?