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Get Green, with Brown!

May 24, 2011  By Shawn Powers
 in

The folks at Recompute have taken the notion of "Going Green" to a whole new level. They've made computer cases out of recyclable cardboard. We had the pleasure of speaking with Recompute's Brenden Macaluso and took one of their computers for a test drive. Here's what we found:

  • The computers living inside the cardboard boxes are actually quite functional. Although they're not super-fast gaming machines, the computer options aren't just a bunch of low-end Atom machines.

  • The cases feel sturdy. We were leery about using a computer case made of cardboard, but it didn't feel flimsy at all.

  • Although a cardboard case doesn't make the computer internals any more recyclable, it does actually make it easier to recycle those innards. They literally rip right out.

There are many skeptics when it comes to the Recompute idea. Some see the cardboard case as a gimmick, and some think a computer wrapped in brown craft paper is a fire hazard. If you have questions about the Recompute computer, check out the FAQ on the Web site: http://www.RecomputePC.com. For my full video review, check out: http://www.linuxjournal.com/video/review-recompute-pc.

______________________

Shawn Powers is an Associate Editor for Linux Journal. You might find him chatting on the IRC channel, or Twitter

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Going green

Andrew Mann's picture
Submitted by Andrew Mann (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 12:04.

Great article about saving the environment.It's about time we started recycling and this is a great step in the right direction.We should all be supporting using these computer cases.

high fiber

conwaytwt's picture
Submitted by conwaytwt on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 10:28.

The ISP wants fiber to the curb; this gets it all the way to the CPU!

Cardboard Computing

cfmcguire's picture
Submitted by cfmcguire on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 09:02.

I'm sure that my cat, Fred "the shred" would love my cardboard cased computer.

Beagán a rá agus é a rá go maith.
Say little but say it well.

Boxy

NOYB's picture
Submitted by NOYB (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 14:39.

Wow well does Boxee run on this boxy box? Suggestion. Think outside the box.

Oops! I made a typo. How well

NOYB's picture
Submitted by NOYB (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 14:51.

Oops! I made a typo. How well does Boxee run on this boxy box? Suggestion. Think outside the box.

Stop this!

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 07:58.

Really people, we need to stop doing crazy stuff like this. Electrical equipment inside a cardboard box; this is a fire hazard - big time.

If you want to go green, reuse the perfectly good housings that are being thrown away on a regular basis.

Maybe not

Desidia's picture
Submitted by Desidia (not verified) on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 07:00.

"the case is treated with a non toxic UL tested flame retardant."

Hmm... Not interested in the

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 02:37.

Hmm... Not interested in the entire unit, only the box -- flat packed. As for the price, the basic model (box + PSU) is 199 dollars(!).
However, it does inspire me to make one myself.

Terminology

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/24/2011 - 13:13.

It will bring new meaning to the phrase "my Linux box".

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