A Cardboard Computer: The Recompute PC

Green technology is more important today than it has ever been. Companies are constantly striving toward a more environmentally friendly way of running things each one is eager to broadcast the fact that their search for greener solutions is a priority.

Today the blogs are a-buzz with the news of a cardboard PC. The Recompute PC comes from Brenden Macaluso and is the designer’s entry for the Greener Gadgets Design Competition in New York.

The Recompute PC is a working machine that uses just three major electrical components; a motherboard (with processor and memory), a PSU and a hard drive. Word on the grapevine is the Recompute packs 2 GB of RAM, a 2.5-inch hard drive, four USB ports and a micro ATX motherboard. Electronics aside, the Recompute case is made of corrugated cardboard and its manufacturing process involves four simple steps: cutting, gluing (with non toxic adhesive), printing and electronic assembly.

Simplicity and renewable materials are all well and good but we had a couple of questions when we saw it, like, “how do you cool that thing?” Brenden Macaluso talked to Engadget about his product and mentioned that there's been some concern over the safety of using cardboard. He reasoned that cardboard is more heat-resistant than many plastics, with a much higher fire and ignition point -- 258°C and 427°C, respectively -- where plastics begin to melt at about 120°C.

Click here to check out some of the other designs in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition in New York.