Michael Dell’s Earth Day presentation at Fortune’s Brainstorm:Green conference showcased a prototype design that takes up 81% less space and uses 70% less power than a “standard desktop.”

Earth2Tech: Pictures of Dell’s Eco Bamboo Computer

Engadget: Dell unveils tiny bamboo-cased eco-computer concept

While any power and space savings are laudable, what most interests me is any progress towards the concept of Chia Pet McKenzie’s Sandbenders computer as described in William Gibson’s Idoru with its handcrafted case made of coral, ivory-like nutwood, and “old [aluminum] cans they dig up on the beach, cast…in sand-molds.” As computers by and large continue to shrink—via standards like DTX and the proliferation of small form factor (SFF) models—the possibility looms for a boutique industry of beautifully-crafted cases made from natural, sustainable materials (note that while aluminum is highly recyclable, it is energy-intensive to create) that might even support a tribal community in place of turquoise jewelry or woven baskets.

For a machine befitting another Gibson setting, the Victorian steampunk of Difference Engine, Dave Veloz modded a Mac Mini with monitor and keyboard. Be sure and check out the intricate scrollwork on the Mini casing itself.