Chinese Modders Turn PlayStation 5 into Portable 17.3-inch 4K Laptop for $2,750, Weighing Over 9 Pounds

Chinese modders have given Sony’s PlayStation 5 a unique twist by transforming it into a portable device that resembles a laptop, albeit without a battery, as seen on Weibo. Dubbed the BBook AI, this intriguing creation features a considerable 17.3-inch display and boasts a hefty design that harks back to the days of bulky gaming laptops. Weighing in at over 9 pounds, it’s guaranteed to catch the eye.

The BBook AI Original Edition houses the PS5’s guts within a custom-made, 3D-printed casing. Its standout feature is undoubtedly the huge 17.3-inch 4K IPS screen with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, although the 60 Hz refresh rate may leave some gamers wanting more.

With its HDMI 2.1 port on the side, you have the option to hook it up to an external screen, although this somewhat defeats the purpose of having everything in one device. Battery life is non-existent—plugging into an AC outlet is a must. This isn’t due to modder oversight but rather the inherent design of the PS5, which demands roughly 200W of power during gameplay, giving you just half an hour if powered by a 100Wh battery.

The BBook AI’s spec sheet mirrors that of a standard PS5. You’ll find an eight-core CPU derived from Zen 2 architecture, a GPU sporting 36 Compute Units based on RDNA 2, 16GB of unified GDDR6 memory, and 825GB of PCIe 4.0 storage. Keep in mind, though, for the lofty price tag of $2,750—or 19,999 Yuan—you’re shelling out quite a bit more than you would for a standalone PS5. And yes, there’s a keyboard attached, although the type—membrane or mechanical—remains a mystery.

One USB Type-A 10 Gbps port adorns its right, but let’s talk sound: the noise level of the BBook AI reportedly caps off at 71.3 dB—comparable to a sports car revving up. As for gameplay, this machine is quite the anomaly as it runs PlayStation OS, making it technically the first PC able to run Astro Bot. Think your gaming laptop can manage that?

Even as the BBook AI aims for portability, its weight—adapter included—is double that of a Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8 powered by an RTX 4090, which also happens to come with a 99Wh battery. From a cost-effective standpoint, a separate portable monitor and a standard PS5 could save you a substantial amount, with the combined setup costing between $700 and $1,000. Although, let’s not forget the BBook AI remains a captivating DIY venture, despite its practical shortcomings.