Ben Heckendorn updates the Atari 800 laptop mod

Will the myriad of modded consoles from Ben Heckendorn never cease? (We sure hope not.) The man who brought us the NES Micro, N64p, PPS2, Phoenix 2600, (not to mention an ongoing series of how-tos for Engadget) has finally updated his November 2005 hack of the Atari 800. That laptop, which combined a screen and the guts of the 1980s gaming system, has now been brought into the modern age (read: 2006) with a new case, a cleaner keyboard (with round keys!), and a breakout cartridge case. We particularly admire the Atari logo on the top, and Ben's usual attention to detail and a clean, efficient, design. Still, we can't wait for the day that Ben's talents get noticed by Apple, Dell, or another big-name laptop maker, so that more of the masses can be showered with his talent -- but then again, perhaps it's better that we keep him to ourselves. Check out a few more snaps on the next page, and then head over to benheck.com for his always thorough and entertaining build diary...

[Thanks, technick29]

[Rob @ Dec 16th 2006 6:33PM]

THIS IS SO COOL

Ryan, add this to the "him" christmas wish list...I definately want one

[Matt @ Dec 16th 2006 6:42PM]

Ben is amazing!

[Taylor @ Dec 16th 2006 7:31PM]

Not to hate, but what's with the "not nearly as attractive as the rest" connectors on the back? :(
-Taylor

[Farris @ Dec 16th 2006 7:34PM]

So, does anyone else wonder how long it will be before we get a pPS3? Or a pWii? (Oh jeez, it's nickname could be Herman... pWii Herman!)

The Wii would be hard because of the whole sensor bar thing, but I imagine the tilt would be easy. Sort of like Kirby's Dream Land for the GBC. The one that you tilt to move him around in...

[Tavis Veighey @ Dec 16th 2006 8:14PM]

The sensor bar is EASY!! Just have a the lid a little taller than the LCD Scren, and place IR LED's in that. (Shoot if 2 candles works then it does not really matter) Cover with the same smoke colored plastic on many remote controlls and you are DONE!

But I suspect that a Wii laptop would be WAY EASIER than the 360 laptop he did! Shoot he could probably put a couple of WiiMote slots where the keyboard would go. Or have a single WiiMote and Nunchuck adatper, maybe even a cutout for a classic controller as well! He could even integrate the USB Lan Adapter that was found to work with it! Shoot if I had the money I could probably make one! (However I doubt it would be anywhere near as styleish as his)

[Person157 @ Dec 16th 2006 7:59PM]

@Rob
Screw adding the laptop to the wish list, I want Ben Heck himself! Imagine having him chained to a wall making all theses mods just for me! Muahahah...

[Farris @ Dec 16th 2006 10:06PM]

I dont think I was really very clear when I wrote that. I mean a fully enclosed, no controller pWii.

[Brian @ Dec 16th 2006 11:00PM]

He's working on a Wii right now, if you go to his website he talks about playing the Wii before going under the knife, and in the first one about the 360 controller he says he'd love to get a Wii to make portable.

[klew @ Dec 17th 2006 1:00AM]

400 years from now, people will debate if Ben Heck was one person, or a group of people who submitted work under a singular pseudonym.

[Richard @ Dec 18th 2006 4:06AM]

With that keyboard, it looks more like an Atari 400 to me.

[Vooodu @ Dec 18th 2006 10:27AM]

What the Heck?!?!


This man needs a production team and licensing agreements with all console manufacturers.