Chinese Modders Convert PlayStation 5 into a Portable 17.3-Inch 4K Laptop for $2,750

A group of creative modders in China has achieved something rather interesting: they’ve transformed Sony’s PlayStation 5 into a portable device, albeit without the convenience of a built-in battery. This innovation, showcased on Weibo, resembles a hefty, old-school gaming laptop, featuring a striking 17.3-inch display. Although it tips the scales at over 9 pounds, its eye-catching design is sure to grab your attention.

Dubbed the BBook AI Original Edition, this unique creation houses the PS5’s innards within a 3D-printed case. The standout feature here is undoubtedly the sizeable 17.3-inch 4K IPS screen, boasting full 100% DCI-P3 color coverage. Still, it does fall short in the refresh rate department, locked at a modest 60 Hz.

On the side of this custom device, you’ll find an HDMI 2.1 port for hooking up an external monitor, though doing so somewhat defeats the purpose of its all-in-one design. Without an onboard battery, it’s tethered to AC power. This limitation isn’t the modders’ fault; the PS5’s power-hungry nature pushes around 200 watts, leaving even a hypothetical 100Wh battery at less than ideal with just a 30-minute lifespan.

As far as tech specs go, the BBook AI is powered by an eight-core CPU based on Zen 2 architecture and a 36 Compute Unit GPU grounded in RDNA 2, coupled with 16GB of unified GDDR6 memory and 825GB of PCIe 4.0 storage. Its 31.3mm thickness and 9.5-pound weight, plus an additional 1.1 pounds for the adapter, make it quite hefty. And at a staggering price of 19,999 Yuan, or roughly $2,750, it’s a high ticket item—about 5.5 times more expensive than a conventional PS5.

For connectivity, there’s a USB Type-A 10 Gbps port on the right. Be prepared for some noise, though, as reports suggest the device hits around 71.3 dB, comparable to the roar of a sports car. Intriguingly, the laptop features a fully operational PlayStation 5 under the hood, complete with PlayStation OS, making it the first “PC” capable of running games like Astro Bot. Can your gaming setup claim the same?

Despite its portability narrative, the combined weight of the laptop and adapter surpasses that of a high-end Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8 with an RTX 4090, which also sports a 99Wh battery. You’re better off economizing with a portable monitor and a standard PS5, which would more reasonably amount to $700-$1,000, depending on your monitor choice. Ultimately, while the BBook AI may be more a novelty than a practical solution, it stands as a testament to the imaginative DIY spirit of its creators.