ASUS has decided to provide a cardboard computer case to those who purchase their motherboards. The idea is to cut down on waste while providing a way for DIY computer makers a low cost way of building and testing components prior to buying that really rad case to house it all in.
According to IT World, ASUS unveiled its new cardboard packaging idea at the Cebit trade show in Hanover, Germany. Martyn Williams of IDG News Service recorded a short video on the ASUS duel cardboard container that can be found here..
Anyone who has ever bought a computer part knows that you receive it in a box about three times the size of the part with other packaging bits like plastic over the part and molded foam inserts. Once you take the part out of the box the only thing left to do with all of it is send it to the landfill. ASUS in its bid to become more eco-friendly, has created a duel purpose box.
The cardboard box is of course sturdy enough to protect the motherboard during shipping. For once the oversized box actually comes in handy. Inside the cardboard pieces used to hold the motherboard in place during shipment become part of a makeshift computer case.
The motherboard fits in the bottom of the case. Pre-cut cardboard vents can be removed for ventilation. There is a panel that gives you access to the PC’s connectors. Another part houses the hard drive and DVD drive and fits on a built in ledge over the motherboard. The box is supposed to be good as computer housing for about a year. By that time even the most persnickety DIYer should have found the computer case of their dreams.
Producing greener packaging is not a new idea. Last April, PUMA unveiled new packaging for its sports shoes that consisted of a cardboard insert inside a biodegradable bag. The entire package uses less energy, water and materials. Two years ago, a similar cardboard computer idea was entered into the 2009 Greener Gadgets competition. The idea was dubbed Recompute and consisted of a cardboard computer case that wasn’t initially a packing box.
Although the motherboard box won’t wind up in the local landfill immediately after opening, it will windup being tossed at some point. The actual question is, will you simply toss it in the trash or send it to a recycling center? Ultimately, it is your choice how eco friendly this box really is.
The above photograph is by Martyn Williams, IDG News Service.
