Cambodian made computer casings

The Locolab researches the usability of low cost computers in Cambodia. Most of the computer parts researched are in the so-called mini-ITX form factor. Motherboards with a mini-ITX formfactor measure only 17×17 cm. This allows for very small computers. mini-ITX casings however, are expensive and not available in Cambodia. This is why the Locolab developed it's own computer casing, to accommodate the small form factor. Developing our own casings has several advantages:

• It's cheap: A casing can be made for only 14 USDli
• It can be made locally: Money spent on it flows back into the Cambodian economy
• They can be adapted to specific school needs (like making them fit to screw under a table to save deskspace)
• They can be painted in nice colours

The design has been created by the Open Institute in close collaboration with the Don Bosco Technical school. The boxes have also been fabricated at the Don Bosco Technical school. Two design principles have been at the foundation of the box:

1. Maintenance has to be as easy as possible
2. The box can be attached below a school desk, so it doesn't take up space on the desk

This has led to a square box, with a lid which is attached to a desk. The lid and the box have a sliding mechanism (a bit like 19” rackmount servers have) so the box can be slid under the desk. A lock can be inserted, so the computer cannot be stolen. Inside the box, there is place for a 2.5” or 3.5” harddisk, a mini-ITX motherboard and a Flex-ATX powersupply. The pictures presented below will give a more clear picture (click on the picture to see a magnification).

These pictures are shown with an Intel Intel D201GLY motherboard. Any mini-ITX board will fit into this box. As the Intel D201GLY has a fan, a small hole has been cut out the lid, to make sure that enough air can be sucked into the box.

On the picture on the left, you can see the box with its' contents. As can be seen, there are only three parts inside the box, making maintenance an easy task. The second picture shows the lid, screwed to a typical school table. The box is then slid into the lid so it will look like picture 3.

On the picture on the left, the ring for the lock is clearly shown on the left side, next to the power supply. The same ring is attached to the lid, as can be seen on the middle picture. Putting a lock through these two rings will make sure that the computers cannot be stolen.