Asus Motherboard Box Doubles As PC Case 243
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."
Interesting justification... (Score:4, Insightful)
Giving people the ability to get everything attached to their motherboard for testing reasons until they find a real enclosure.
No concerns about RFI? (Score:5, Insightful)
No way that a motherboard in a cardboard box is going to pass the various RF emission tests for FCC or CE certification.
Re:That is the coolest thing I've seen in years (Score:5, Insightful)
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:interesting (Score:4, Insightful)
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.
Re:No concerns about RFI? (Score:4, Insightful)
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? (Score:4, Insightful)