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 February 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.