Xbox Nerd Corps: Ben Heckendorn
An Xbox 360 laptop?! Believe it -- but don't plan on playing it. as part of a commissioned project, Ben Heckendorn of Verona, Wisconsin, spent three months and $1,200 custom-altering an Xbox 360 to turn it into a full-fledged playable laptop unit.
The disc drive in action. We applaud the choice of content!
Heckendorn, the author of the book Hacking Video Game Consoles, put his experience reconfiguring Atari 2600s, SNES consoles, and PlayStations to the test with this project. Creating the Xbox 360 laptop required some major work, including crafting an aluminum casing; building an intricate water-cooling system; installing a keyboard and speakers; and more high-tech bedazzlery.
The rear port includes component, VGA, Toslink, and a WiFi antenna.
The final unit weighs about 14 pounds, and is 16.75" wide by 10.75" long by 2.8" thick. Better yet, it plays games like a normal 360, with the added benefit of a build-in keyboard and a high-definition widescreen display. Hell, it's a portable, self-contained 360 -- just plug it in and play! Consider us impressed.
Photos by John Urban
You're next! We love celebrating the superfans of Xbox, but it takes more than a cool tattoo or a custom license plate to make it into the Nerd Corps. If you think you have what it takes, send us an email and tell us why you deserve some extraordinary love.
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DiRtY J0E DIRT
April 05, 2008 at 3:44pm
YES! Xbox needs SOMETHING to compete with Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS.
SEG CISR
February 19, 2008 at 2:36pm
I don't think he makes these anymore. I really want one, though.
Dan OXM (not verified)
February 15, 2008 at 10:21am
Ben did this as a private commission. I believe the price tag was in the thousands, and they are only made to order.
NYVideoGameFreak
February 14, 2008 at 8:58pm
Can you buy this and if so where because i would so go out and buy one ASAP because this is amazing. Also whats the battery life out of this?
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