A group of creative modders from China has come up with a way to transform Sony’s PlayStation 5 into a portable device, giving it a laptop-like appeal, albeit without a battery. This intriguing creation, showcased on Weibo and known as the BBook AI, features a significant 17.3-inch display and has a bulky design reminiscent of the gaming laptops of old. Weighing in at over nine pounds, it might be heavy, but its unique look is sure to catch the eye.
Inside the BBook AI Original Edition, you’ll find the familiar components of a PlayStation 5 housed within a 3D-printed shell. The standout feature here is undoubtedly the screen—a massive 17.3-inch 4K IPS display with full DCI-P3 color coverage. Unfortunately, it’s limited by a 60 Hz refresh rate, which may be a letdown for some.
On the side, you’ll find an HDMI 2.1 port to connect to an external monitor, though doing so may detract from the device’s intended portability. Without an internal battery, you’ll need to plug it into AC power. The power-hungry PS5 inside typically draws about 200W while gaming, and suggesting a portable battery setup would only offer about 30 minutes of gameplay with even a 100Wh battery.
Turning to the specifications, the BBook AI carries the same hardware as a PS5—a Zen 2-based eight-core CPU and an RDNA 2-based GPU with 36 Compute Units. It offers 16GB of non-upgradable GDDR6 memory and 825GB of PCIe 4.0 storage. The display, as mentioned, is 17.3 inches with 4K resolution and runs at 60 Hz. It’s quite the package sitting at a price point of 19,999 Yuan, or about $2,750.
The device also includes a USB Type-A 10 Gbps port for added connectivity. However, be prepared for some noise; reports suggest this machine can reach sound levels comparable to a sports car at 71.3 dB. For those curious about its capabilities, it’s essentially a full-fledged PS5 living inside a laptop form factor, capable of running the PlayStation OS, meaning it’s the first of its kind to play titles like Astro Bot straight from what is technically a PC.
While its specs mirror the PS5’s internals, the additional inclusion of a keyboard (whether it’s membrane or mechanical isn’t clear) attempts to enhance the experience. But at over five times the cost of a regular PS5, the price is rather steep. Interestingly, this hefty setup, including its adapter, is significantly weightier than some cutting-edge gaming laptops like the RTX 4090-equipped Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8, which boasts a 99Wh battery.
For those looking for a more budget-friendly and practical route, pairing a portable monitor with a standard PS5 might be the better choice. Depending on your monitor preference, the combined cost should range between $700 and $1,000. Despite this, the BBook AI remains a fascinating DIY project, even if it isn’t the most practical way to game on the go.
