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Beautiful and ecological, cardboard laptop case

intro
step 1
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introBeautiful and ecological, cardboard laptop case

Hi,
another laptop case? Yes - wen I make my firs Instructable this idea come in my mind. Fist is a very cheap and simple case, how everybody can make, but I don`t put accent to design
This is a more elaborate design solution, but I maintains green materials (98%) for a cheap and ecological solution.
Probable, at this dimension, can fit 2 OLPC, but I make for an 15,4" laptop (I don`t have one OLPC to measure and try) .

Is a perfect case for any laptop: low cost, shock-absorption, relatively easy to make, reusable, biodegradable, and have a beautiful design

RO version:

Buna,
alta carcasa de laptop? Da, ideea mi-a venit cand am facut prima carcasa , pe care am incercat sa o fac cat mai simpla si ieftina, astfel incat sa si-o poata permite oricine, sau sa o poata prelua o fabrica care sa o faca pentru laptopurile ieftine gen OLPC.
Noua versiune este cu un design mai elaborat, dar am incercat sa mentin utilizarea de materiale ecologice (98% - are 8 suruburi de metal), si sa obtin un produs ieftin si relativ usor de realizat.
Probabil, ca la dimensiunile la care am facut eu geanta (testat cu un HP de 15.4"), incap 2 OLPC-uri, dar n-am avut un OLPC ca sa-l masor :)

Consider ca este o geanta foarta buna pentru un laptop (totusi perfectabila): pret mic, foarte buna protectie la socuri, relativ usor de realizat, din materiale reciclabile, si (zic eu) cu un design deosebit.
Beautiful and ecological, cardboard laptop case
 
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step 1
First you make design (I use Inkscape software- is free), and in this step you can establish design : I make a "swellings - pocket" for AC adapter, cable and numerical keypad. After this be sure you have all materials and tools: - 1 piece of 3,5mm corrugated cardboard (1600x560mm), or more small pieces , but quite hight to not cut components' - 2 piece of 6mm corrugate…

step 2cutting pieces
Now, you can print project on paper, ant transfer to cardboard (put over -fix with clear tape, or use carbon paper). After cut sort separately pieces for cover, and for the bottom, and put in order to glue easy. RO version: Acum puteti tipari schita pe hartie si s-o transferati pe carton (o prindeti cu scotch si taiati peste, sau folositi indigo). Dupa taiere separati…

step 3Glue parts
First I glue bottom pieces: I fix betwen 3plates of granite (or 3 big books) - can`t move from mistake. First I put 2 uncut parts (side part), and then I glue every piece and press. And again, and again... Eu am lipit intai piesele pentru parte de jos: Ca sa iasa drepte le-am fixat intre 3 bucati de granit (sau 3 carti grele) pentru a nu se misca. Se incepe cu 2 bucati…

step 4make hinge
At 1/3 of total distance I put 1 hinge. For that I cut a piece of 3mm plywood (in images I use 3mm acrilic), I drill 3 holes with 4mm (2 holes are united). Then put hinge over 1 cardboard piece, draw contour with pencil, and cut with a good cutter. Put this cardboard piece and hinge near last glued piece and mark sign for hole. Drill a hole in 5-7 cardboard pieces and …

step 5make cover of case
Make same steps for cover, but make 3 big parts - stop in right to the hinge. Mark and draw hole for screw, and then glue together. Leave some time to dry. RO version: Realizarea capacului: Se fac aceiasi pasi si la lipirea capacului, dar lipiti 3 module separate - va opriti cu lipitul in dreptul balamalelor partii de jos. Se monteaza mai intai modului din mijloc,…

step 6shoulder support
now I fix hemp tape with 2 cap screw (drill before) and 1 wood piece (red acrilic in image), to bottom, and 1 cap screw with washer , in top. You cam make a magnetic closure, with 2 pieces from magnetic name tags/badge RO version: Suportul pentru umar: Acum puteti fixa banda de canepa in partea de jos, folosind 2 suruburi cu cap, si 1 bucata de lemn (plastic rosu in i…

step 7Final / finish
I make other pictures, to have a global image. You can put a smll piece of cardboard over the "pocket" - to not scratch laptop. And don`t forghet: is ok to make "green dot" and cheap objects, but is more good if you make and unusual design for these ! RO version: Am mai facut cateva imagini, pentru o privire de ansamblu. Mai puteti pune o bucata de carton peste acel …

30 comments
Aug 10, 2009. 7:11 AMjmacfarlane823 says:
making this for my Acer Aspire One! :)
Jun 27, 2009. 10:29 PMRizoduoro says:
Hi, I love your proyect!! i really do!!... i have freehand but my first try i almost cry, it was .... no words ... if it's not to much ... can u send me your proyect for some help... I'll try to do my best.... sorry the english... I speak spanish!! and again your work is great!! rizodepetroleo@gmail.com
May 6, 2009. 1:18 PMA00957900 says:
Hi, a have a HP mini and i want to make my cardboard case, but i didn't know how to use the inkscape to design it. Can yoy design the pices for me or send a tutorial. My mail is paulina.arreola@gmail.com The laptop dimensions are: 8.9” screen 2,7cm. x 25,5cm. x 16,5cm Thanks :D
May 6, 2009. 11:17 PMnikoto(author) says:
Hi, you can use any vectorial program: CorelDraw, Autocad, Freehand, Adobe Illustrator,Q-cad, Aviary.... If you have one of this, I can send my project in format that you need. I`m sorry, but I don`t have enougnt time to make custom project. Try to www.myfav.ro (english version).
Apr 30, 2009. 4:41 AMBor says:
That's a nice case, only I would make it without the 'swollen' side. Will try it defintely.
Apr 26, 2009. 2:49 AMMad Cat says:
For someone so obsessed with keeping green that they won't go and buy any decent laptop case, why do you have a laptop with harmful (environmentally) materials in the first place? Doesn't it defeat the purpose?
Apr 26, 2009. 4:24 AMmyfavro says:
I don`t by obsessed for nothing; I try (with my power) to make green life but not only: I love design. I don`t like some things only because is green and have ugly design
If you read even paragraph 3, from my Intro, you find the answer.
About me: I change 2 desktop & CRT monitor from home and office (big energy consumer) with one laptop - is first step. Ooo.. and I like my bike :)

Offtopic: for HP Eco Solution please read this website: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/
Apr 23, 2009. 4:12 PMCracknel says:
Interesting idea :) RO: Interesanta idee :)
Apr 23, 2009. 10:18 AMtagyerit says:
Looks great. Several questions. This looks to cushion the laptop. But it looks like moisture would get in. (or did I miss a step) Any ideas on how to make it water proof? How does the hing hold up to repeat & long term use? I don't know if this would work, but if you had access to a bandsaw, I wonder if the pieces could be stacked and cut together. Thanks for a nice design
Apr 23, 2009. 1:37 PMnikoto(author) says:
Oooo.. you don`t read all instructable and comment :(
My ideea is to use for cheap laptop for kids (like OLPC), only summer (or in equator country - he wish to rain sometimes).
Other users - opposite pole - is people who like design, ant want to be admired for original design :)
I response to andreiad : Is not a "rain case" but is possible to cover with ecological plastic foil when rain.
Is not problem to repeat hold up , but I sugest to put 3-4 hinge, not only 2; for long term use.
Now I use to carry a HP DV5 (2.7Kg) and is very easy to use. (And for girls is like a Ferrari : Oauuuuu.... is a new Gucci bag? I wannnttttt.....:) )
Apr 17, 2009. 12:02 AMgmjhowe says:
This is great, i saw the creator of these recently on boing boing i think. I suggest putting a link to the original artist in the intro, just so people can see what his original was like, and how you made it better.
Apr 17, 2009. 1:08 PMnikoto(author) says:
Hi, I`m sorry, I don`t know this artist. Please send me this link, or put here to see.
Apr 17, 2009. 2:28 PMgmjhowe says:
http://www.gilesmiller.com/
Thats the guy, he was featured on make and a few other blogs about a week or 2 back, so i _assumed_ you had seen it there! Be sure to check his out, there is all sorts that he has made using the same technique.
Apr 18, 2009. 12:44 AMnikoto(author) says:
Oau ... is wonderfull how make this guy - much better like my case. He give me more new ideea. Unfortunately I don`t see this her work until now - contrar your supposition ( I don`t have so much time to spend on Internet). If I see this site until now, I sell my project and I buy myself Epilog laser :)) So probabily I don`t invent the wheel :(, but I`m amateur, he is a profesional designer. Now I think to sell my laptop case with more 180 British Pound Sterling (like her), because is more big !! :)) I`m sory, but I can not sell with this price, because I spend maxim 15Euro for materials and some of my time - is not fair for me. I give this ideea and project for all who need, for FREE. PS. sorry for my bad english.
Apr 18, 2009. 1:43 AMsmurfsahoy says:
Your English is perfectly easy to understand, don't worry.
Apr 23, 2009. 11:40 AMcerene says:
Agreed! In fact, I enjoy reading things from people from other places, it's interesting and often makes me smile. :)
Apr 23, 2009. 1:08 AMan-tonia says:
so pretty... Is possible to make bijoux from cardboard? I`m a fan :)
Apr 17, 2009. 6:40 PMpineapplenewton says:
how dose this fair at keeping the laptop cool?
Apr 18, 2009. 12:47 AMnikoto(author) says:
I`m sory, but - because my english is not so good, I don`t understand how you see. And google translator don`t help me :) Plese use other usual word. Thanks.
Apr 22, 2009. 4:49 PMtrooperrick says:
He means: How well does this work for keeping the laptop cool.
Apr 23, 2009. 12:00 AMandreiad says:
Now I understand :) First time I don`t understand very good, because I think is logical: corrugated cardboard have enough holes, and air flow in all direction. Is not a "rain case" but is possible to cover with ecological plastic foil when rain.
Apr 21, 2009. 11:55 AMandreiad says:
Wow....! I want to buy urgently 6 like this for my colleagues. We have Asus Eee Pc. You sell online, or in other online store?
Apr 21, 2009. 11:26 PMnikoto(author) says:
I`m sorry, I don`t sell - but is free, you can make and improve. If you want, I send project/scketch in Inkscape.
Apr 21, 2009. 12:07 AMomnibot says:
That is a beut! I luvz!
Apr 19, 2009. 11:54 AMskaldedgrifon says:
Nice design and instruction. Thanks for showing.
Apr 18, 2009. 7:37 AMERCCRE123 says:
LOL its kinda funny to see an instructable on a laptop case for a DV5t when i am also using one right now
Apr 18, 2009. 8:24 AMnikoto(author) says:
I explain on my first instructable - is a project/ideea dedicated to like OLPC laptop, but because I don`t have one, I measure/make for this HP.
Some guy sell one case like this, with 180 BP :) - in this case is a luxury product.
Apr 16, 2009. 11:32 PMmyfavro says:
too best design for this site :) But is wonderfull if all this guys/girls work little more to design, not only to functionality of ideea. Good work - send more. Put your ideea on Ponoko.com and sell !
Apr 16, 2009. 7:06 PMexplosivemaker says:
wow...lotta work....looks pretty cool though
Apr 16, 2009. 11:22 PMnikoto(author) says:
yes - 2h to glue, glue, glue....

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