HP selling laptops in messenger bags, sans box

Why didn't someone think of this before? Instead of packaging laptops in cardboard, styrofoam, and plastic, HP is selling its new Pavilion dv6929 notebook in nothing more than a padded messenger bag. The switch is said to do away with 97 percent of its conventional packaging. The bag itself is also made of 100 percent recycled materials.

The $798 computer is only being sold this way at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores. (The plan was the result of a design challenge from Wal-Mart, which asked manufacturers to create products with less of an environmental impact; this computer won said challenge.)

Now selling one machine in a reusable bag is one thing, but extending that across its entire line of products is another. Obviously this plan would present problems for notebooks that are bought online and shipped to customers, but why can't all of HP's machines be packaged this way? Baby steps, eh?

Please join me in encouraging HP to expand this program and getting other manufacturers to experiment with similar ideas. I'm drowning in styrofoam peanuts over here.

LINK: HP Wins Walmart Design Challenge with Innovative Notebook Packaging