Asus Motherboard Box Doubles As PC Case

itwbennett writes "Taiwan's Asus has a novel idea to cut down on shipping waste: What if the shipping container became the PC case? That's the idea behind a box the company will begin using to ship one of its Mini ATX motherboards. It holds the motherboard snug for shipping and is constructed so additional components required to make a PC can be added, said Debby Lee, a spokeswoman for the Taipei-based company. An example of the box is showing at this week's Cebit trade show in Hanover, Germany."

Comments

That is the coolest thing I've seen in years

[rsilvergun]

But is this safe? I thought you needed to ground the mobo against metal... Still, a pre-mounted mobo that can be moved to a better case when you feel like it? Sign me up!

Re:That is the coolest thing I've seen in years

[arivanov]

I have run motherboards for the last 20 years without grounding them on a regular basis. It is kind'a safe from that perspective. It is better for the motherboard if it is grounded properly, but most work fine anyway. Same for cards, adapters, drives, etc - very few rely on getting a proper ground from the bracket fixings or the fixing bolts.

I am more worried about the cardboard. Is this one properly treated with a flame retardant? If the MB or any of the components smokes for whatever reason is it going to burn merrily or fizzle out.

Re:That is the coolest thing I've seen in years

[icebike]

Ground is handled by the power connections, which includes a ground pin, and is grounded to the mains. Grounding the power supply to the case is only needed because the case (normally) is metal, and you want to be sure it is at ground.

But is a cardboard box safe for other reasons? Like FIRE?

I've had more than a few PCs get hot enough in certain circumstances where fire is a serious danger, especially in enclosed spaces (shoved under desks), or maybe pushed up against resistive electrical baseboard heaters etc.

This thing just cries out for the Slashdot "What could possibly go wrong" meme.

Re:That is the coolest thing I've seen in years

[geekoid]

IF you box gets hot enough to catch this on fire, it would have failed before it got hot enough to set this on fire.

You heard me.
Corrugated cardboard ignites at over 400 C

Re:That is the coolest thing I've seen in years

[gewalker]

I have seen the power supplies on running PCs catch on fire -- PC continues to operate while smoke is rolling out of the P/S. This condition does not last long though. The extra fuel of a cardboard case might be enough to get a more interesting fire going.

Re:That is the coolest thing I've seen in years

[Gilmoure]

Maybe if you coated the cardboard with an aluminum/iron oxide paint so that it'll reflect heat better?

Interesting justification...

[mlts]

Giving people the ability to get everything attached to their motherboard for testing reasons until they find a real enclosure.

interesting

[networkBoy]

I suppose it's ok, but the article even mentions that it is for interim use while the buyer shops for the perfect case, thus they will still buy a case. Since this uses *more* material then a normal box I'd say overall the effect is opposite what they claim. As a marketing gimmick it's great though.
-nB

Re:interesting

[icebike]

thus they will still buy a case.

Says Who?

College dorm rooms and hacker basements will have these things stacked 4 high in short order.

No concerns about RFI?

[Ellis D. Tripp]

No way that a motherboard in a cardboard box is going to pass the various RF emission tests for FCC or CE certification.

Re:No concerns about RFI?

[icebike]

The thing is, that Joe Hacker need not comply with those. They pretty much kick in only when a device is offered for sale, and
certifications are summarily ignored in the home builder market in any event.

Fire safety is a bigger issue. But I don't know of any regulations that would prevent them from selling this
as long as they don't sell it as w working PC. Its a loop hole, and they know it.

Re:No concerns about RFI?

[VortexCortex]

No way that a motherboard in a cardboard box is going to pass the various RF emission tests for FCC or CE certification.

1) Fortunately they are selling the Motherboard, not the entire PC (the PC assemblers would have to pass the FCC or CE certs).

2) The FCC or CE (and possibly NFPA) would really flip out if they saw my "computer room" which has several computers sans cases mounted across 4x8 plexiglass sheets. They're so much easier to upgrade & clean, they're more functional than paintings/posters (and more aesthetic (to me) ). Wallputers give the room a cosy, cyber-punk feel...

Who needs cases? Also: the cardboard case is fairly bulky, ugh.

P.S. I use Synergy for my Multi-screen/Multi OS/Multi Computer command and control center.

Re:No concerns about RFI?

[basotl]

Okay where is the link to the picture of your set up? I'm a sucker for checking out alternate mods and mounts.

Knew it!

[Octopuscabbage]

.I knew my cardboard box fort making skills would come in handy some day!

Re:No RF shielding

[arivanov]

It depends funnily enough.

Try running your PC at different HZ for the OS-es that support it (hint - BSD). You get some very interesting results with unusual HZ like 2000-3000 and when using ACPI timers. Very unusual. In fact so unusual that if you are running the MB "bare" on a desktop with no EM shielding and have audio kit nearby you may want to stick some earplugs in your ears first.

Tested with a Via EPIA motherboard by the way. I needed high HZ and spent half a day swearing until I found a frequency which was good enough and did not wreak havoc around the kit.