If a portable version of the Xbox One happens to be something you’ve lusted over and you have $1,500 to spare, self-taught engineer Ed Zarick will be happy to take your money.
The modding enthusiast recently completed work on the Xbook One, a (semi) portable version of Microsoft’s latest console. The project started around two months ago and consists of a fully-functional Xbox One that’s been dismantled and had its internals stuffed into a custom “notebook” chassis.
Much of the work was done with a pair of MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printers and a laser router. The printers were used create corner pieces, brackets and custom component mounts while the laser helped to cut through the walls of the case to create screw holes, the Blu-ray drive opening and more.
The system is mated to a Vizio 22-inch 1080p LED LCD screen, an improvement over the 19-inch 720p screens he’d been using for previous builds. That’s right, Zarick is no stranger to modding Microsoft gaming consoles as he’s created around 30 or so portable Xbox 360s over the past few years.
Zarick points out that no changes were made to the actual hardware – it’s basically a stock Xbox One inside a different chassis – so it still conforms to Xbox Live rules. Of course, your warranty with Microsoft is out the door the moment you crack open your console so don’t expect to be able to get any help from them should something go wrong down the road.
The only downside (aside from the price) is that you’ll still need access to a power source to play (batteries simply aren’t an option here).
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, feel free to check out Zarick’s page for ordering details.
