We've seen mods in the past that bypass the chassis and use what's available in the nearby vicinity to create a unique rig. A great example was the one crammed within a used Little Caesar's pizza box; another resided in an actual trash can. Needless to say, the modders were looking to stay "green" with their designs, and it seems that Asus may be following in those footsteps starting this June.
According to a report by PCWorld, Asus plans to alter the shipping box for one of its upcoming Mini ATX motherboards so that additional components can be added without removing the mainboard, thus replacing the typical metal chassis with the cardboard box. Punch-out holes for ventilation will also be present as well as an actual panel for containing the rig's connectors and interfaces.
Debby Lee, a spokeswoman for the Taipei-based company, indicated that the box isn't a permanent component of the overall computer, giving it a lifetime of at least one year. Instead, the company's intention behind the box is to allow PC enthusiasts to build their computers and get everything working in harmony first while they continue to find-- or hand-build in some cases-- the perfect chassis.
"Some people spend a long time looking for a case, so this box is all they need until they find something," said Lee.
