I’m thinking about building another one of these, perhaps in a black/burgundy color scheme as seen above. Why? Why not!
Any interested parties? This is your chance to get one before it’s claimed! Contact me…
Tag Archives: benheck
PS3 Slim Laptop
Click here for larger version.
Last month I ran out and bought one of the new PS3 Slim consoles. You can check out my “tear down” of the unit here.
I had some other projects to finish first at the time, but now I’ve gotten around to building a laptop out of this thing. It might still be my fastest project of a new console, I think the Wii was 2 months after launch, this is about 35 days.
Anyway, specs:
- PS3 Slim Hardware, with cool-running 45nm architecture. Very VERY quiet.
- 17″ widescreen LCD with HDMI-DVI digital connection.
- Built-in power supplies / compartment for the AC cord.
- Push button volume control with stereo speakers.
- Sleek white monochromatic styling with pin stripes.
Click here for larger version.
For the “Making Of” story, pics and video see below.
Benheck Podcast Episode 62
We’re back! In this exciting episode we discuss Wisconsin’s dowloadable content tax (lame), The Beatles Rock Band (awesome) and new upcoming games this fall and spring (numerous).
Regarding Controller Monitors
There’s been a lot of interest lately in my Controller Monitor. So I thought I’d reiterate some things about it for interested parties:
- Currently Xbox 360 only. I’ve been thinking about a PS3 version, it would require a different approach, but more importantly, would companies want it? Please let me know.
- Size of display is 8″ x 8″ x 1.5″. It connects via a 6′ cable to a wireless Xbox 360 controller. (Granted, it’s no longer “free of wires” but you know what I mean) There are screw holes in the four corners for mounting as you choose.
- The connector for the cable replaces the headphone / keyboard jack on the bottom of the controller. Charge & Play kits still fit.
- Display indicates the following: D-pad, A B X Y, left and right bumpers, left and right triggers, both analog sticks. Currently L3 / R3 (depressing the thumbsticks) is not represented.
- For the analog indicators there are 3 LED’s per direction. These indicate “any motion at all”, “halfway there” and “all the way over”.
- Cost is $650 US, includes controller. Shipping is extra.
If this sounds like something that would be useful for your company please drop me a line to discuss. I’m setting up a batch within the next few weeks.
Planning trip to ECCC in Chicago
Greetings, citizens of the internet! I am planning to attend the Emergency Chicagoland Commodore Convention, taking place September 26th.
You can check out their website here. I’m going to bring my Atari 800 laptop (before it goes out to the customer) so hopefully I won’t get beat up too badly. I’m sure it will be fun for computer geeks of all backgrounds.
So if you’re in the area why not check it later?
See me at Infinite Bits 2009!
There’s a new gaming convention called Infinite Bits and they’ve asked me to attend their opening show. It is in Miami, FL from October 23-25 2009.
I will be there to give panels, answer questions, show off whatever new gadgets I have and of course networking!
You can check out their press release by clicking here. Or visit their main site listed below.
http://www.infinitebitsconvention.com/
So if you’re in that part of the country, why not stop by? More info as it becomes available!
New Atari 800 Laptop
New Atari 800 laptop. Click here for super-sized, printable version.
For many years an Atari 800 laptop was my “dream project”. It was the computer I grew up with and thus I have fond memories of it.
Finally in 2006 I completed one. You can see it here. A few years later I did another by request. These were all well and good, but I didn’t feel I properly captured the spirit of the old machines.
Earlier this year I finished the long-gestating Commodore 64 laptop. It turned out great, and looked properly old. This left me conflicted however – I wasn’t a Commodore guy, but I had done a much better job on it than my beloved 800’s.
This year that all changed! Someone requested I build them an Atari 800 laptop, and I decided to go full out and not only beat my own C64, but make it perhaps my coolest project ever.
Riveting DOS action. Click here for super-sized, printable version.
After about a month this is the result. Quick specs:
- Base unit is Atari XEGS motherboard, as usual.
- XE 130 RAM expansion built-in.
- Uses MyIDE circuitry and custom OS ROM to use a 2.5″ PATA hard drive. Very fast! You can check out Mr Atari’s site here.
- Large 15″ screen, similar to the C64 laptop but this one is better looking and shinier (obviously important)
- Uses original, new-old-stock Atari 800 keyboard. This is probably the best keyboard in the history of computing, so it was worth including, despite the complications (see story)
- Flush-mount cartridge slot.
- Amazing old-school styling!
To see more pictures and read the Making Of, click below.
My next project shouldn’t come as a surprise… in fact, chances are SLIM you won’t be able to guess.