Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Laptop, PlayStation, Sony, Gateway, Console | Themes: Laptops and Notebooks, Audio/Video Players
It's a PlayStation 3 Slim crammed into a laptop shell. Do we want it? Yes we do.
There's only one word for this console mod: coolness. Then again, for die-hard PC gamers who loathe the sight of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, this pretend laptop may come across as pure blasphemy. But for what it's worth, toting around a PlayStation 3 Slim like a laptop does sound intriguing, especially if the modder can implement some kind of rechargeable battery in the future.
As seen here on YouTube, console modder Benjamin Heckendorn stuffed the guts of a Sony PlayStation 3 Slim into a monochromatic chassis and slapped on Gateway's 17-inch 1775w LCD panel, providing a clean 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. The video shows that Heckendorn, serving as a sign printer in a previous job, gave the outer shell a nice, clean pin-striped design using gray and white (and black too so he claims).
Unfortunately, the design falls short of transforming the console into a fully-functioning laptop. There's no installed keyboard, but rather a large fan mounted on the lower left side; the design actually features more exhaust vents than the actual PlayStation 3 Slim console. There are no visible USB ports for mouse and keyboard input, however he managed to mount speakers on both sides of the chassis.
Out of the current crop of consoles available on the market, the PlayStation 3 resembles mostly with the PC platform. Many PlayStation 3 models are capable of running Linux and other computer operating systems if installed on the console's hard drive. With that said, if Heckendorn manages to integrate USB ports, a working keyboard, and a rechargable battery hooked into the console's power supply, he may succeed in starting a trend that could close the gap between PC and consoles for good.
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I got to say..Pretty badass. I am a pc fan and while this isn't going to attract me to buy a ps3 slim or anything like that, the creativity is 10/10.
I love seeing pictures of custom mods people do on consoles/PC cases. It takes a level of dedication, creativity, and skill to produce what they come up with. A great community to watch.
Too bad Sony took away the addition of Linux with the Slim. Of course, I suppose one could hack it to install the OS anyway.
The reason sony took it away is because it was not usable as a general purpose linux install. The Graphics subsysystem was locked out so the linux gui was too slow to use. If you're into command line os's then it'd work fine... but most of us installed a normal linux image and it ran so PAINFULLY slow that it made the console look bad.
the gap spoken of here will never be closed by hardware manufactures for one reason... DRM...
Brilliant, well done.
Only problem would be touching it after 15minutes of use, you have any idea how hot PS3s get when they run for extended periods of time, it puts my OC'd computer to shame.
My PS3 slim just spews hot air and this is supposed to be the coolest running of the PS3's, I can't imagine how they managed to cool this laptop mod.
That's just plain AWESOMENESS!!
Meh, wouldn't it be easier to have an actual laptop? If the intent is to have it as a portable gaming device, this is not the way I'd want it. Don't get me wrong, it looks cool and I admire the craftsmanship but it seems totally impractical to me.
http://benheck.com/Games/Xbox360/x360_page_5.htm
Ben Heck's stuff is fantastic. He's been doing this kind of stuff for a good while now and his console mods are always super-professional. The work he's done on one handed console controllers is also inspirational.
I think its just AWESOME!
Now, if he adapt the keyboard, touchpad, a couple of USB ports and a hack to allow Linux install with RSX 2D/3D acceleration on Linux we may have a nice SUPERCOMPUTING Laptop.
well this may start a new revolution in game consoles.
The reason sony took it away is because it was not usable as a general purpose linux install.
Actually it was probably economics. The consoles are sold at a lost with the expectation that software royalties will make up for it. If you buy a dozen consoles and turn them into a cluster instead of buying games then the manufacturer is subsidizing your activity instead of profiting from it.
Blasphemy, I say!
... Nah. It's pretty cool. Useless, but pretty cool. The author really should edit it to say "Many PS3s models (not this one) are capable of running Linux". Could a PS3 original even fit into this kind of mod?
WOW PSP 3? lol playstation not so portable. the mod is very cool indeed but it's kind of useless since it's just a PS3 and a monitor.. it doesn't have a battery.
and it does not play crysis... yet.
I would love a good PS3 emulator though.
The guy that did this better patent the idea before Sony starts marketing a "Lan Party" model of the PS3. He can then sue Sony for millions for IP infringement.
Its a portable high-end game mod. Not a computer. The intent was never to be a computer. If the person wanted a computer, he could spend $500~650 on a HP/Acer with a 17" screen and be more functional without the work.
Yeah, battery would always be a problem... Even if he stuck in a battery that is twice as big as a typical 17" notebook, the PS3-mod would only have enough power for about 30min... at best.
But having the monitor included with his MOD, it allows him to setup anywhere with AC, to play.
When I and most people use our notebooks, its with AC power. (1) faster CPU mode (2) brighter screen. I'd say out of 10hrs of use, maybe 1 of it would be on battery mode.
Its a very cool mod, it looks very good.
This has been done with 360 hardware a few years no... So no, not impressed the slightest.
Always loved Sony tactics though and why i in reality hate their guts. They sucked too much out of me and wont happen again unless the invent fully virual reality or something till ten they can kma.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ [...] re-related
Abosulutely retarded. I only give Kudos for effort. Oh yea, also... This is only cool because Tom's said so.
I don't think it can work as a laptop except as a novelty in this case. However, it does highlight a point I've often made about a marketing weakness that Sony can employ against Microsoft's 360 platform. Microsoft purposely prevents any kind of keyboard/mouse peripherals for the 360 because it doesn't want the 360 to compete directly with PC (i.e., Windows) sales. Sony should market the Playstation 3 as a sort of "alternate" version of a PC. It could run some basic productivity software along with web browsing, all while giving the user a top notch gaming experience on the same hardware. There would be a nice market there for people who are willing to spend $400 for a decent PC replacement and "civilized" gaming console with keyboard and mouse.
Hmm...
Integrate a keyboard and have a wireless mouse.
Then use a 1920x1200 or a 1920x1080 17" screen. Then add a massive battery (even if only for a half hour or a hour of battery life).
Then sell me one. =D
Even with a battery, could you imagine the life with that thing. it may be less hungry than the old PS3 but these are hardly mobile parts...
The guy that did this better patent the idea before Sony starts marketing a "Lan Party" model of the PS3. He can then sue Sony for millions for IP infringement.
I don't think he'd be able to patent it, honestly. I think Sony would end up suing if he was able to, or maybe if he even tried to do so.
Then again, I'm not into patent law, so it's just a big guess on my part. /shrug
one word: L33t !!!