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

Chinese modders have managed to turn Sony’s PlayStation 5 into a portable gaming device that resembles a laptop, albeit without the convenience of battery power. Known as the BBook AI, this innovative creation was showcased on Weibo. At first glance, the device is reminiscent of the hefty gaming laptops of the past, complete with a sizeable 17.3-inch display. Weighing in at over 9 pounds, it definitely makes a bold visual statement.

The BBook AI Original Edition comes housed in a 3D-printed chassis that accommodates all the PS5’s internal components. The standout feature of this custom gadget is undoubtedly its screen: a large 17.3-inch 4K IPS panel that boasts 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy. However, if you’re looking for smooth gameplay, the panel’s 60 Hz refresh rate might leave you wanting.

On the side of the device, there’s an HDMI 2.1 port for connecting an external monitor, although doing so somewhat defeats the purpose of having this all-in-one unit. BBook AI doesn’t come with a battery, so it’s entirely dependent on AC power. This decision can be traced back to the PS5’s hefty 200 watts power draw during gaming sessions—equipping it with a 100Wh battery would only manage a scant 30-minute run-time.

As for hardware specs, the BBook AI matches the PS5 with an eight-core CPU built on Zen 2 architecture and a GPU featuring 36 Compute Units based on RDNA 2. It includes 16GB of unified GDDR6 memory and 825GB of PCIe 4.0 storage. The sleek 17.3-inch 4K screen operates at a 60 Hz refresh rate, and all of this fits into a device that’s 31.3mm thick. It weighs around 4.321kg (9.5 pounds) plus an additional 500g (1.1 pounds) for the adapter. All told, it would set you back around 19,999 Yuan or $2,750.

To connect external devices, there is a USB Type-A 10 Gbps port located on the right side. However, take note that the system can get extremely loud, reportedly reaching noise levels of 71.3 dB—similar to a sports car, according to some. Uniquely, this “laptop” harbors a complete PlayStation 5 within, running PlayStation OS, which technically makes it the first PC capable of running Astro Bot among other PS5 exclusives.

The BBook AI replicates all the standard specifications of a PS5, but sets you up for a splurge at a whopping $2,750—basically over five times the price of a regular PlayStation 5. Photos indicate that the device might include a keyboard, though it’s unclear whether it uses membrane or mechanical switches.

Although conceived as a portable solution, the BBook AI and its adapter weigh about twice as much as the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8, which packs an RTX 4090 and a 99Wh battery for added mobility. For those looking to save a bit, perhaps picking up a separate portable monitor and a regular PS5 would be a more feasible option, costing somewhere between $700 and $1,000 each depending on your preferences. At the end of the day, the BBook AI stands as an ambitious project and a testament to the creativity of its makers, even if it’s not the most practical creation out there.