Over in China, some creative modders have ingeniously transformed Sony’s PlayStation 5 into a portable machine reminiscent of a hefty laptop. Dubbed the BBook AI, this device features an impressive 17.3-inch display and sports a design that brings to mind the chunkier gaming laptops of yesteryear. At a little over 9 pounds, it’s certainly on the heftier side, but visually, it’s sure to grab some attention.
Inside the BBook AI Original Edition, they’ve cleverly packed the PS5’s inner workings into a 3D-printed shell. The standout feature here is the integrated screen, showcasing a 17.3-inch 4K IPS panel with full DCI-P3 color coverage. However, fans of high-frame-rate gaming might be a tad disappointed as it tops out at a 60 Hz refresh rate.
On the side of the machine, an HDMI 2.1 port is available for attaching an external monitor, which somewhat defeats the portable nature of this unique device. There’s no internal battery, meaning you’ll need to keep it plugged in for power. This isn’t due to any oversight by the modders; it’s simply because the PS5’s power consumption—around 200W during gameplay—wouldn’t allow for more than a 30-minute session on a typical 100Wh battery.
Here’s a quick rundown of the BBook AI’s specs: it mirrors the PS5 with an eight-core Zen 2 CPU, a 36 Compute Unit RDNA 2 GPU, 16GB of fixed GDDR6 memory, and 825GB of PCIe 4.0 storage. The display is the 17.3-inch 4K, running at 60 Hz. It measures 31.3mm in thickness and, including the adapter, weighs in at a hefty 4.821kg. All this comes at a price of 19,999 Yuan, or about $2,750.
Connectivity is handled via a USB Type-A 10 Gbps port, but watch out for the noise—reports suggest the BBook AI can reach a rather loud 71.3 dB, akin to a roaring sports car. Of course, what makes this laptop truly unique is its ability to run the PlayStation 5’s operating system, meaning you can experience Astro Bot right on its screen—something no traditional gaming laptop can boast.
Considering its specs are identical to a PS5, it’s worth noting that the BBook AI isn’t exactly a budget option. At $2,750, you’re paying roughly 5.5 times more than you would for a standard PS5. The images suggest there’s a keyboard included, though it’s unclear if it’s a membrane or a mechanical setup.
While ambition here leans toward the portable, the combo of the laptop and adapter is twice as heavy as a Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8 with an RTX 4090, which comes with a far more practical 99Wh battery. If you’re looking to keep costs down, consider pairing a PlayStation 5 with a portable monitor for anywhere between $700 to $1,000 altogether. The BBook AI may be an extravagant DIY project, but its practicality is certainly questionable.
