Category Archives: Video Games

Ben Heck Show, Video Games

Xbox 360 Slim Portable

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You knew this was coming – the Xbox 360 Slim Portable. Big differences compared to my older models:

  • About 1.5″ inches narrower left and right, 1″ narrower front to back.
  • Internal power supply.
  • Uses stock Xbox 360 Slim fan so it’s much quieter than my older 3 fan models.
  • Touch sensitive power and eject buttons of the Slim have been preserved.

Not so big differences:

  • Pushbutton control audio amplification.
  • Gateway 1775W 17″ widescreen LCD display @ 1280×720.
  • Fan grate design copied from PS3 Laptop design.
  • PVC plastic routed case.

The construction of this unit is being covered over the first 6 episodes of The Ben Heck Show so be sure and check it out to learn how I put this thing together. This is the actual unit that is up for grabs as part of their contest, so one lucky winner will take this puppy home!

I’m actually building 3 of these so besides the giveaway unit the 2 others are available to buy – if interested please email me.

For more photos, check the rest of this entry. Enjoy, and we’ll see you on the show!

Continue reading Xbox 360 Slim Portable →

Video Games

10 Years of Benheck.com

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This month marks the 10 year anniversary of my work on the web! While the original VCSp was done in spring of 2000, the original GeoCities site itself wasn’t created until the fall. Shortly after, it moved to Classicgaming.com where it stayed until spring of 2004, when I started my own domain “Benheck.com”. I went with that name because it was an available 7 letter dot com – couldn’t pass it up! Little did I realize I was creating my new nickname. Oh well.

It’s been a long, interesting journey since then and I’d like to thank everyone who supported me along the way and bought my products.

As a fun treat, you can visit a replica of the old site by clicking the image above. This is the oldest working replica of the old site I could find in my archives. Almost all of the old data / stories is on this site as well, just check out the Site Archives link on the lower left to pick a year.

Stay tuned next weekend for the reveal of the new XBox 360 Slim laptop (and watch my show to see how we built it).

For a personal list of what I felt were my best, worst, most influential and favorite projects of the last decade, continue reading!

Continue reading 10 Years of Benheck.com →

Ben Heck Show, Video Games

Contribute to “Maker Faire” edition Xbox 360 Slim

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Pictured above is my new Xbox 360 Slim laptop in pieces. Why is it in pieces, you ask? Well, I’m taking it to finish assembling at Maker Faire New York this weekend.

But wait – there’s more! Right now it’s a plain gray color. Those of you with an artistic slant, you are encourage to stop by the element14 / Ben Heck Show booth and help decorate the unit before the final assembly! The call is open to visitors and vendors alike. Call it the “Maker Faire” edition.

For more details, visit element14.com/TBHS and makerfaire.com.

Video Games

Site Maintenance Tuesday / Wednesday

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Benheck.com is in the process of moving to a new server over the next few days. Please be aware that any WordPress comments made during this time may be lost.

On the plus side, we’re updating all of the PHP stuff so the forums especially will have more functionality as requested by our users. The cost savings achieved with the new server will also allow us to greatly reduce the number of advertisements on the site, such as the highlighted text ones (gone!)

Please bear with us during this time – once it’s complete an announcement will be made and then you can once again can post / forum to your heart’s content!

Ben Heck Show, Video Games

See me at Maker Faire New York

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Steam powered snow cone maker, as seen at Maker Faire San Francisco

Be sure to visit my booth at the New York Maker Faire this coming weekend. There will be demonstrations of building the Xbox 360 laptop, as well as a main presentation. You could also have a chance of appearing on our show as we’ll be filming there as well.

Visit element14.com for more details!

Video Games

I’m Not Dead!

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Proof-of-life photo with a juicy blue gill.

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, been working on a new project and it’s consumed a lot of time. But fear not, it’s really cool and I should be able to talk about it very soon.

However the podcast may have to continue to take a breather as we see how this new project affects my schedule over time.