/ Cory Doctorow / 6:12 am Thu Mar 3, 2011

Motherboard shipping carton doubles as PC case

Taiwanese computer manufacturer Asus is shipping its MiniATX motherboards in a cardboard box that can be used as a PC case:
There are punch-out holes for ventilation and a real panel that houses the PC's connectors and interfaces.

Asus said the box is intended to allow PC enthusiasts to get their new computers up and running quickly while they search for the perfect case.

"Some people spend a long time looking for a case, so this box is all they need until they find something," said Lee.

Asus motherboard box doubles as a PC case (Thanks, DavidJoho, via Submitterator!)

(Image: Martyn Williams, IDG News Service)

 

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  1. I’ve thought for a while that there should be more disposable computer parts, and the case is one place to start. Obviously some components need to be silicon, steel, aluminum and copper, but this seems like a way to help reduce the amount of e-waste that requires special disposal. Granted, if this were to be a permanent solution I want something better than corrugated cardboard, but this seems like a good first step.

  2. Other than being a place to stack stuff, what do we really need metal computer cases? This is a brilliant idea for waht would otherwise be a throw out part, even if only 1 in 100 use the box it is still very useful to have punched out those extra cuts.

    1. Aside from durability issues (computers can and do get moved), another main reason we have metal cases is because of heat. They’re designed to absorb some of the heat generated in addition to providing a framework to channel hot air out of the case – aluminum keeps the inside cooler than steel, but both work better than wood, acrylic/lexan, or paper. Cardboard is great for a quick test or an emergency setup, but its insulating properties will shorten the life of the components inside.

      I wonder if they would ever make the boxes available by themselves – I’d love to have a few on the bench just for testing and emergency setups, and they’re bound to fit most matx boards without too much fuss.

      1. Metal cases also act as a literal fire wall, should something short out.

        And if you have cats, a cardboard case may be _very_ temporary.

        But, yeah, it’s an elegant concept.

        1. Not only do metal cases act as a firewall in case of an electrical short, a cardboard case will do the opposite – i.e., possibly catch on fire. There’s a reason why electronic devices are generally not housed in flammable housings.

  3. This obviously violates a lot of FCC regulations. Putting a layer of tinfoil on the inside would mitigate such concerns somewhat, though, but I don’t know if the FCC would approve it.

  5. Oh, and I’m not sure how this reduces shipping waste, since the box appears to be twice the size and thickness of the typical box that motherboards come packed in. Still, awesome concept :D

  6. Fantastic!

    I was very tempted with my last 3 mini-ITX boards, to use the box itself as a case, but it was pretty flimsy and probably not worth the effort.

    this looks like someone in Asus shared my sentiments :-) Great!

    Jeffrey

  8. There’s another reason why computers generally use metal cases – RF shielding. The components in a computer radiate a lot of RF noise which can cause a lot of interference to radio reception. The metal case acts as part of the shielding that reduces that interference.

  9. Actually, in most countries in the word you are not allowed to operate a computer if it is not within a metal enclosure, in order to shield the RF interference from the electronics. The clock speeds of modern processors and data busses are up into the region where we have all kinds of important wireless systems, such as mobile phones, GPS, home alarms etc. That’s why all complete computers are built and sold as metal boxes (sometimes with plastic on the outside.).

  10. Actually, the reason cases are metal or foil-lined is due to RF noise generation. In the past I’ve been involved with trying to get FCC approval for PCs and it was very difficult. Every last little hole in the case where a button came through or whatever could not have any line of sight where you could draw a line from the mainboard to the outside and not hit metal. If you could, there would be a spike in RF interference along that line.

  12. @Anon #3, #12, GregS:

    EMC regulation in most places around the world doesn’t *require* metal enclosures for PCs. There are radiated emission limits (and immunity levels, in some places) which need to be met.

    It’s true that using a metal case is a good way to meet the requirements, but EMC legislation doesn’t require one, only that the apparatus meets the appropriate limits.

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