Framework 12 slim case

A minimalist protective case for a reclaimed Framework Laptop 12 mainboard.

Upgrading a Framework Laptop 12 shouldn't mean retiring a perfectly capable mainboard. This slim case wraps the bare board in a tight, purpose-built two-piece shell, turning it into a small standalone system you can keep running as a home server, a desktop test bench, a retro-gaming box, or simply a spare machine within easy reach.

The enclosure hugs the footprint of the mainboard itself rather than the original laptop chassis, so the result is noticeably slimmer than the machine it came from — and it's finished with printed TPU details a purely rigid case can't offer:

• Embossed branding and active venting — the top shell carries a debossed "FRAMEWORK 12" mark and generous slotted vents over the fan and heatsink.

• TPU port guards at the USB-C cutouts, cushioning the connectors against repeated cable insertion.

• Vibration-damping grommets at every mounting screw, decoupling the board from the shell to cut buzz and fan noise.

• Anti-vibration feet (optional) for a non-slip, isolated stance on the desk.

• A functional power-button actuator that carries the click through the shell.

• Optional dust mesh — a fine anti-dust mesh can be glued to the inside of the vent openings for extra protection without noticeably restricting airflow.

Hardware required: 5 × M2.5×8 bolts to close the assembly through the board's existing mounting points — no drilling or hardware mods needed.

Print settings: 0.2 mm layers as designed (0.12 mm recommended for a smoother finish), ~100 g filament, ~1.5 h on a Bambu Lab P1S. PLA/ABS/PETG/ASA for the shell, TPU for the port guards, dampers and feet.

Designed as an entry to the Framework Laptop 12 Mainboard Re-Use contest.