Asus Rips Off Maximum PC's Cardboard Case Idea!
Asus Rips Off Maximum PC's Cardboard Case Idea!
Posted 03/03/2011 at 8:51am
| by Paul Lilly
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So maybe we're exaggerating a little when we say Asus stole our idea for a cardboard case, but for the record, former Maximum PC Associate Editor and current Contributing Writer, David Murphy, beat Asus to the punch by three and a half years. Printed in our October 2007 issue and viewable online here, The Murph went up against Senior Editor Gordon Mah Ung in our $500 PC Build Off challenge, and in an attempt to save a few pennies to apply to other upgrades, Murphy stuck his parts inside a cardboard box and called the abomination a system. If you thought his idea was brilliant, you'll love Asus' motherboard box/case concept.
Starting in June, Asus will begin shipping one of its mini ATX motherboards in a cardboard box that transforms into a makeshift PC case, ZDnet reports. While Jeff Foxworthy fans might end up using it as a permanent home for their parts, Asus says it's intended to serve as a temporary enclosure while enthusiasts shop for the perfect case. The fact that it reduces shipping waste is a bonus.
Asus is literally thinking inside the box with this one, and we have our doubts it will catch on. The bigger concern for worry warts is that it will catch fire, though if your PC is emitting sparks, you're in trouble no matter what. But there's also the ugly aesthetics, lack of protection from spills, pets, and kids from using what amounts to an open air enclosure, and did we mention it's fugly as sin?
What's your take on this concept? Is Asus being novel, or is this one doomed from the start?
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Trooper_One
March 08, 2011 at 1:32pm
Bad idea.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to derive that electronic components generate heat. Now it is doubtful that a well ventilated cardboard case would cause a fire but in the unlikelihood that it does happen, Asus might be held liable as they know or should've known that a cardboard box isn't exactly flame proof; as a matter of fact, it accelerates it. If someone dies from a fire that's related to this 'case', they could be in big trouble in lawsuit friendly USA.
Caboose
March 08, 2011 at 3:29pm
That'd have to be a LOT of heat, and I don't think a standard workstation, even a gaming machine, would generate enough heat for the cardboard to reach its flashpoint.
garrettp
March 03, 2011 at 8:26pm
I like it. If it is cheap enough I may just get one :)
I also remember the article battling to build the cheapest pc (for under $500 I think?). When I saw the cardboard case I had to change my shorts ;)
PCLinuxguy
March 03, 2011 at 9:25pm
Depending on where you get the parts (newegg tigerdirect etc) not including shipping and tax it's not too hard to put together complete systems for under $500 that are pretty decent even if low end. Though far superior to anything you could get at walmart or some other stores. (Staples charge way too much for their systems) Recycling an old computer case can also shave some pennies off . That was a good article you're referring to as well.
ShyLinuxGuy
March 03, 2011 at 7:50pm
There's an OEM named "Recompute" (recompute.com) that sells complete systems (and the "cases" themselves) constructed of a whole bunch of cardboard pieces glued together and jigsaw cut to fit the motherboard and other devices. Personally, I think this (and any other cardboard PC ideas) are a HORRIBLE idea. Standard, *normal* cases are not expensive and they are completely recyclable--after all, most are made of aluminum or steel--two easily recyclable metals. Plus, cases look a lot more sleek and better than any of its cardboard counterparts (at least the ones that don't look like gargoyles and aliens).Even if used temporarily, it's a bad idea, and it's better to wait for your case to show up. Newegg typically bundles a whole bunch of parts, including the case, in one big box. I have ordered them from them several times for mine and others' builds.
Think about the parts contained within: even the Recompute, from what I see, has horrible to nonexistent ventilation, and cardboard can hold a static charge. I have felt a static cling often handling cardboard boxes, especially the glossy coated ones.
tiderfish
March 03, 2011 at 3:31pm
I tried this back in the 90s. I bought a baby atx case and tried to re-use the box it came in as a small form factor PC. The idea was to cram in all the parts into the motherboard box and toss that into my trunk for a automobile mp3 player. I quickly gave up and just used an old desktop case. Glad to see this idea has resurfaced.
mattmanic
March 03, 2011 at 2:58pm
If this causes a fire, it would have in a metal case anyway. The ignition point of cardboard is around 450 degrees C or 800F in old money. If anything near your computer is getting that hot you should probably be more concerned about extinguishing your clothes first
don2041
March 03, 2011 at 2:40pm
I think MAXPC should have a contest to mod a case using only cardboard & duck tape Lets try it . wont cost much to build
aarcane
March 03, 2011 at 2:10pm
Nothing to lose and not much to gain. it's not a bad idea, and I'm sure some folks will use it, and those who don't, so what? If by cutting a few extra folds and notches into the cardboard before sending it out to users you can save a handful of customers some headache and some hassle, go for it!
gr3atl10n
March 03, 2011 at 1:22pm
Double wall that sumbich and lets get some working fans in the cardboard ply. Adding a wire and micro fanning the corrugatons would probably make it worthy of a 'permanent' status. Other things like fans built into the wall at asembly, conductor strips which made wires and cables obsolete, direct connections and mounts, hey, it's cardboard. It could conceivably have oodles of configurations possibilities, its cardboard.
Think about custom FMD ing your front panel with an x-acto knife. Adding a Xoom, or iPad seamlessly and flawlessly.
Lets not forget what a snap window installation would be.
Cardboard is in inexpensive and very workable medium. Paint, cut mount. As strong as steel in many configurations.
Let's see this technology develop.
orca11
March 03, 2011 at 11:13am
Every true nerd out there is considering buying an ASUS now just so we can say we did it.
Archtard
March 03, 2011 at 10:48am
Fun idea. Of course it is not ideal, but if you have roommates or worry about people stealing your rig then you won't need to worry with this case. Stack papers around it and add another box and bam! Incognito PC!
noobstix
March 03, 2011 at 9:40am
What? Temporary case until an enthusiast buys an actual case? I would definitely use a cardboard box for a case. Screw spending some more on an actual case. It probably weighs less than an actual case making it even easier to carry around. I don't think anythng says "enthusaist" better than a cardboard case and some Sharpie writing on it.
Pinkyblister
March 03, 2011 at 5:47pm
You are ahead of your time! You did get your patents and trademarks completed before you published your article, didn't you?
Corfy
March 03, 2011 at 9:31am
One nice thing about a cardboard case is it would be very easy to mod. No special tools needed, just something sharp enough to cut cardboard.
Caboose
March 03, 2011 at 9:17am
Have a super-high end gaming rig in that box and take it to a LAN party? You'll be the talk of the town!
Spartacus
March 03, 2011 at 9:39am
"Have a super-high end gaming rig in that box and take it to a LAN party? You'll be the laughingstock of the town!"
fixed.
Spartacus
March 03, 2011 at 9:39am
"Have a super-high end gaming rig in that box and take it to a LAN party? You'll be the laughingstock of the town!"
fixed.
Markitzero
March 03, 2011 at 9:17am
Before I built a Motherboard box as a case then I got a Packard Bell 486 motherboard working again that I thought was bad because it was not wanting to start then I got it working again by going through the jumbers on the board to factory. I had a PSU brushless fan mounted the above CPU were I had to cut out a section for that and the Standup ISA card slots.
I was a kid when I did that.
TMc51
March 03, 2011 at 9:13am
A friend mentioned this yesterday and I joked about how you guys did it first. Didn't figure it'd be covered here.
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