Excellent example of removing metal waste and using a product (cardboard) that needs (and is) recycled. I have long wondered why more thought hasn't been given to the actual packaging of the componets of computer hardware. You have done an excellent job and for anyone who looks at the process you went through laying out all the componets on a flat board to arrive at this packaging process will have to agree that this is an excellent concept and I say job well done.

This is an interesting idea. It will be interesting to see how it works out in the long run.

AWESOME...only word i have for it. Ive been working with cardboard a lot lately and its such a versatile material. Takes a really good approach to try and define what a "green" computer should do to be better from cradle to grave. Great idea, great aesthetic, great project...A

Very awesome work man! Be sure to check out Sirtified's interview with the designer of the Recompute, Brenden Macaluso. http://sirtified.com/blog/2009/02/17/recompute-cardboard-computer/

Wouldn't wood, which is the raw material be more sustainable (longer lasting) and stand usage better than cardboard? Imagine how this would look after one year of daily use...

Hmmm, one single cup of coffee spilled onto your pc and you're done.

Material arguments aside. This does open up the door for quick and cheap creation of customized computer cases. It is just like rapid 3-D prototyping creating things layer by layer and sticking them to create any shape you want to.

Many people, including Andrew (#48) have hit on the limitations of this design. I don't agree that the main reason computer components are not recycled is because it is hard to dismantle metal computers. Companies like Dell and HP have been making it very easy to replace parts in the field, for some time now. The main problem with computers is the motherboards, hard drives, and power supplies themselves are not easy to safely disassemble and recover the component materials...

Will never pass the FCC or CE! It could catch fire easily from a spark from the computer parts! So think always about the safety, otherwise you can harm someone

This could burn your house even easier!? Such a bad and dangerous idea!

Wow, I've neve seen it.

Good job, Brenden!

http://www.goodcleantech.com/2009/02/interview_with_the_creator_of.php

i don't know how i feel about this product. i think its headed in the right direction, but at the same time i would see this computer getting damaged so way quicker. with my experience with cardboard the ends always get bent and such; i don't think this would be sustainable for light damage, if someone was to hit or run into this hard enough there would be damage on the cardboard. i do think this is a interesting idea and a good one, but i think there could be a better usage than cardboard.

Have you thought about all the dust that's going to build up between the corrugations? I'm getting a headache just thinking about cleaning that.

I really like this idea. Although paper is not as recycleable as say steel or aluminum, more trees can be planted. More than is needed, which could offset cost and the effects of the energy needed to produce the product. I say it is a great idea!

Isn't this the same concept as "Cardboard Case Computer"? Why does this one have all the votes? Prettier picture? I have issues with this - cardboard also requires a lot of processes to produce, can't be indefinitely recycled, and either would catch fire, or would have to be coated with flame-retardants that would greatly reduce any "green" benefit.

Bitt You wrote: You realize that computer cases are made of metal in order to defeat electronic interference, right? And that this is mandated (in the US) by the FCC?... I do not know where that idea of yours comes from for cases have been partly metal and partly plastic for many years now and also - laptops are, primarily, plastic, as far as the cases go. No shielding used as far as I can see. However, all computers cause RFI, whether shielded or not. Try turning on a shortwave radio next t

I want it as a case only solution, to make some net pc's from used parts . I only need nice designet first and the last plate, all inside plates are easy and fun to do part for children. The resulting computer have very big chances to be made 100% from used parts, because the case is very flexible for non standart parts and for the parts from diferent generations of pc's/servers. The result is exelet gift for the people who need a pc only, not the newest one. Also it is very nice therapy for IT

Carboard or perhaps bamboo for durability? Excellent thought process.

Fire retardents (e.g. PBDEs) are a far greater threat to the environment than a bit of metal. This reminds me of the cardboard bicycle - total fail.

I'd love to buy one! The only drawback I can see if that, if put into production, the cardboard of the box would probably have to be totally soaked with fire retardant.

Very cool. Love the concept. The ease of disassembly, and reduction of parts/labor sold me. Cardboard is a minimal aspect to the project, the big picture is far more important. Great job Brenden.

Very cool concept, but it could never be legally marketed. As Andrew pointed out, the metal casing provides electromagnetic compliance and interference shielding. At a minimum, the interior of the case would need to be lined with a metal foil, wire mesh, or plastic with a conductive magnesium coating. Otherwise, this would certainly fail to meet EU and FCC radiated radio frequency emissions standards.

Moisture can create problem to corragated boxes... dont think it will last long... however love the idea... unique

what happens when I spill my pina colada on it?

Hey, great. Please make it creative commons a publis your drawings and than it''ll be really green. I love it. Better than "green" MacBook Pro from solid alluminium :))))) I believe it'll work at least for two years what is approximate durability of computers. Send me tutorial how to make it, please

Cool, but ...impractical, inherent safety hazards and not realy innovative.

i agree with some of the comments that say EM interference would be an issue. However, recycling is not the be-all, end-all of being "green" or "eco-friendly." yes, metal computer cases can be melted down and re-formed, but this takes a huge amount of energy, and there is a large amount of plastic in most computer cases that can't be recycled. Also, let's assume for a minute that not everyone recycles. i would rather see a cardboard computer case in a landfill than a meta

Hmm, not sold I'm concerned with durability, static, dust, fires if a part overheats...

Wow! what a cool idea! It would be great if the world's computers could be replaced by cardboard ones, it would save a lot of energy, material and time!

very very cool. there are technical bugs to be worked out maybe, btut the core metaphor is still undeniably strong.

@taylor I don't think the target user for this project is people who upgrade on their own, or require high powered machines. It’s for the users who go to stores and buy computers, then 3 years later throw them in the trash, or recycle them (which is a huge user group). In order to recycle a computer, they must be dismantled, parts separated (plastic, metal, components), melted down, ect…

LOVE IT!!! This will obviously cut costs... is there anyway you could work with international agencies and help schools in third world countries with this great invention?... Maybe for every 10 sold in the USA one can be donated somewhere else?... Keep it Green peeps!... Keep the love flowing. Peace Out!

Mining, manufacturing and shipping of aluminum

Too many issues with this idea. All it takes is one component catching fire to set the whole case ablaze. Electronics doesn't like dust. Cardboard, certainly makes quite a bit of dust. Cardboard also absorbs a decent amount of moisture. Electronics doesn't like moisture.

Basically, the six metal boards enclosing the PC are replaced by some layers of cardboard - all the components inside stay the same?!?! Sorry, but I can not really see the big environmental benefit. Please help me to understand it. Usually, metal is melted anyway and whether you can recycle the inner components, which are the real valuable materials, depends on the design intelligence of the producer and on country specific waste management regulations. hmmm ...

I think the idea is admirable but the practicality is not there. First of all, there's the issue of Electromagnetic Interference, one of the reasons cases are alum. or have alum. built on/in them, in the first place. Also the metal draws heat out of the case while fans suck in and ventilate. The corrugated box really doesn't serve as any kind of advantage in this case....so this computer probably runs components considerably warmer than a premium built aluminum case. The second problem is the

I wonder if it would be possible to incorporate the shipping packaging into the design so that you tear of a few perforated pieces of cardboard to reveal the ports and stuff and you have a ready to go PC. I order a lot of computer related equipment for my staff at work and while the durability of this case needs to still be proven, the huge amount of packing material that comes with each printer, scanner, monitor and PC is crazy wasteful. Durability is a concern but aesthetically I think this

I've never seen such a silly idea. They'd do better if they looked elsewhere to downgrade stuff. I'd rather see my computer made from melted down plastic bags.

It is a great idea. Have you considered making it out of paper mache ? The entire case could be molded much like egg cartons or packing material. mixed-in coloring could make it quite attractive. You could mold in hand holds, feet, and even snap-together sides. You have got me excited just thinking about the posibilities. Thanks and good luck Brenden.

@Matt The comment about bout upgrading the hardware.... i have been doing this for YEARS with my "old" metal case every time i upgrade i keep the internal parts until i have enough to build a whole computer then i find a used case from the local pc shop(that keeps one of them out of the landfill) and either sell or give away the resulting computer. @ Bitt I completely agree about EM interference .... this is a big problem if you have enough electronics in you office/ workshop then th

hey mentor. nice computer!

this has actually been done before. i believe i saw this as early as '03, but just a quick google of "cardboard computer case" and i got this on the 1st results page: http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2005/10/cardboard_pc_ca.html

This is definitely not a 'Gamers' hi-end computer. I imagine it to be a glorified emachine. Which, if you think about it, might just be all that some users need. As far as the green aspect, I challenge anyone to reverse engineer a computer case, count all of the parts and then ask yourself just how many tools, people, and NON-RENEWABLE resources are needed?!?!? A consumer can now buy this computer with the idea that they are saving a buck or two and also receive the added benefit of green design

Wow -- built-in shipping padding. You could probably drop this baby down a flight of stairs and it would come out Ok. Plus it's probably acoustically quiet. I like the outer design too. All it needs is a built-in handle like the old mac clam-shells and you've got a winning thing.

I'll have one with pepperoni, black olives and onions, and another double cheese/double anchovies.

Sweeeeet! Long live carboard! Best of luck for this winning and opening doors for a brilliant mind!

great idea!

Nice work! But... what about durability

Mr. Macaluso, You're on the right track, as usual.

I am so impressed. Great idea!!!

This pretty awesome.

loved the idea how did u come up with it

@Idan Did you even read the concept? Why couldn't you upgrade the hardware? The case can open, so you can change the hardware

1. Funny how people want to BUY recycled cardboard from you. 2. Looks like a horrible fire hazard

This is awesome. I want one or five.

I saw this up close, and it's awesome!!! It really works too!

Plastic and metal are more easily recycled than paper, and if planned properly are nearly infinitely recyclable. The problem with computers is the guts, not the shell. Yet another unsustainable design from someone who clearly doesn't do much research. Looks neat though, and that's what impresses Core77.

I want two!

this is one of my favorite projects you've ever done. awesome.

Idan, the recycling processes of aluminum and steel uses more resources to reproduce. Cardboard is also very economical, compared to that of aluminum or steel. Producing a cardboard computer instead of a metal or plastic computer eliminates several manufacturing processes and is therefore more sustainable. Brenden, this is a genius product. Congrats!

I've seen the actual computer. It's awesome. Brenden is super-talented.

Great Idea!

you're a genius

This is so silly, a fifth grader must have come up with the idea. How often do computers need to be recycled anyway. Cases are cheap so there is no cost savings. I would not want this thing sitting in my office unless my desk was in a wherehouse somewhere.

Great idea

BAD-A. HOW DID YOU GET THOSE ICONS ON THERE?!?

Thank you for the design. It looks great!

This is the coolest design ever, how genius using recycled cardboard and eliminating using more polluting polycarbonates.

How is cardboard more green than aluminium or steel?, both metals can be recycled as many times as need, while cardboard cannot, and degrades with each recycling. There is also the issue that you cannot upgrade your hardware, so this shortens the life span of a computer....I just don't see the benefit over a regular computer.

Make these for sale ASAP!!

@Bitt I think that would be applied when manufacturing said case. If people did this in their homes, i don't think the FCC would ever find out...

i must ask you, how the heck is this sustainable? its not sustainable at all, and its not green at all. thats what i think. you're using good cardboard... or you're going to tell me that your product is made out of recycled boxes? do you have a program to collect, separate and recycle it after its lifecycle ends? people really get the wrong idea when it comes to green stuff, just because its made out of cardboard it doesnt make it greener than a aluminum one. now don't get me wrong here, i'm

Not only is this a fine, green design, but it seems to me that this design holds the core idea of a whole design direction. This is something an exceptionally talented designer like Macaluso should explore further.

Digg it! http://digg.com/design/GENIUS_A_Completely_CARDBOARD_Computer_Case

beautiful besign!

Great idea!

No Fire Hazard - corrugated cardboard catches fire at 800F (427c)! http://www.tis-gdv.de/tis_e/ware/papier/wellpapp/wellpapp.htm

Genius... thats green if I have ever seen anything, plus it looks cool!

yea, now THATS what we should be doing!

You realize that computer cases are made of metal in order to defeat electronic interference, right? And that this is mandated (in the US) by the FCC?

Maybe you could throw some aluminum foil in there. Or, better yet, just make the whole

Would these pose a fire hazard at all?

I want one!

This is an awesome concept, i would love to be contacted with information so i can follow the project if it makes it to production.