Chinese Modders Convert PlayStation 5 into a $2,750 Portable Laptop with 17.3-inch 4K Display

Imagine turning Sony’s PlayStation 5 into something you can carry around with you—well, sort of. Some skilled folks in China have done just that, crafting a nifty but hefty gadget that looks like a laptop, albeit without a battery. Known as BBook AI, this creation, shared on Weibo, mimics the style of older, bulkier gaming laptops and sports an impressive 17.3-inch screen. Weighing in at more than 9 pounds, it certainly grabs attention.

Inside the BBook AI Original Edition, a 3D-printed frame snugly holds all the PS5’s guts. While it may not give you much of an edge in performance over a regular PS5, the built-in screen is a standout feature—boasting a 4K IPS display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. However, gamers might be disappointed by its mere 60 Hz refresh rate.

On the plus side, an HDMI 2.1 port lets you hook up an external monitor, although doing so sort of defeats the purpose of its portable design. And here’s another catch: there’s no battery included. So, you’ll need to keep it plugged into an outlet. This isn’t the modders’ fault—blame the power-hungry PS5, which guzzles about 200W, meaning even a sizable battery would last just about half an hour.

Here’s a quick rundown of what this custom device packs: It has the same specs as the PS5—a Zen 2-based eight-core CPU, a 36 CU RDNA 2 GPU, and 16GB of unified GDDR6 memory. It also includes 825GB of PCIe 4.0 storage. Sporting a 17.3-inch 4K screen with a thickness of 31.3mm, it tips the scales at 4.321 kg, plus an extra 500g for the adapter. It comes with a hefty price tag of 19,999 Yuan, or about $2,750.

Connectivity isn’t forgotten, with a USB Type-A 10 Gbps port on the right. But, brace yourself for noise; reports say the BBook AI lets out a 71.3 dB racket, akin to a sports car. Still, it does fit a full PS5 inside, running the PlayStation OS, allowing it to run games like Astro Bot. How many gaming laptops can boast that?

Though the notion of a portable PS5 is enticing, this contraption, along with its adapter, ends up weighing double the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8—which houses a way mightier RTX 4090—despite having a 99Wh battery. If you’re looking to save a few bucks and still crave some mobility, grabbing a portable monitor and a separate PS5 might be a better move. Truth be told, the BBook AI is more about the thrill of the DIY challenge than practicality.