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Rethinking the Shipping Box: A Laptop Case

Rethinking the Shipping Box: A Laptop Case
How To Make Use Of The Expensive Looking Packaging For Your Laptop

You can do this with virtually any large piece of cardboard and any printable design in addition to using existing designs on the box.

When I got my new laptop in the mail, I was like, "Wow, neat box!" What irked me slightly was the lack of a matching case. After shopping around, I realized that all of the sleek looking sleeves were way overpriced and rarely had room for power cables, and the cases were bulky and ill fitting for a good looking laptop.

So I looked over some Instructables for ideas.

The cardboard and duct tape designs were cool, so I decided to give it a shot, except I would not be masking the entire box with duct tape, but rather keeping the design logo. Considering all of the fancy boxes these days, I imagine it wouldn't be hard to use some other box and do the same thing. Otherwise, you can just print out your favorite designs on paper and put that on.

In the end, I got a water resistant, reasonably protective and stylish case.

This is my first Instructable, so feel free to comment and add!
It's also entered in the Gorilla Glue Cardboard Contest, so vote if you like what you see!
 
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Step 1To The Scrap Heap!!!

To The Scrap Heap!!!
Materials:

-Your fancy laptop box, or plain corrugated box. Yes, its possible with a plain box.
-Your laptop, for measurements and testing. And a laptop case is nothing without a laptop.
-Clear packing tape. I recommend the durable stuff.
-Colorful duct tape. At a flea market, you might find a whole bunch of rolls for a dollar apiece.
-Sharp utility knife. Must be sharp for clean cuts.
-Pencil.
-Yardstick or Meter stick. Small rulers may work for a netbook case, however.
-Measuring tape.
-Some kind of fastener to keep the case closed.

Optional, as in Recommended

-Square Angle for perfect corners
-Some padding, if you want extra security. Some good types of padding are packing foam wrap, neoprene from a recycled wetsuit, sponges, diaper(extra absorbent!), etc. I'd use the foam wrap. But the diaper would probably add some water protection if any liquids do. Remember to make the case a bit larger than the laptop to accommodate the padding. Or else you will have a really tight fit.
-An adult, if you are too young to use a knife by yourself.

Optional, as in I'd be cool if we added this...

-Page protector
-Letter sized or slightly larger manila envelope with fastener.
-Pictures and stuff on 8.5"x11" paper.
-Printed Decals and Graphics. Plain paper is fine. Photo paper looks better, but is thicker.
-Dry erase marker.
-Cloth to wipe off dry erase marker.
-9V Battery Safe. More on this later.
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3 comments
Aug 8, 2009. 1:55 PMkdude63 says:
I honestly have to say that in the picture at least it doesn't look like an ugly tape job at all! :D
Aug 8, 2009. 1:59 PMkdude63 says:
How is ghetto not a plus?

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As a new college student with a tight budget, anything cheap and awesome is good by me. Don't get me wrong, I'll be happy to shell out my well earned money for what I need, but its more interesting to...
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