Here's a challenge for you....

codeman · Post by **codeman** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:15 am

Wow, it's been forever since I've been to this site....

Anyway, I don't have time to actually implement this, so I leave it for a challenge to someone on this site. To build a universal portable. Rather than try to cram several portables into one massive system, just build two halves.

The front half would just be a screen, two joysticks, d-pad and enough buttons to accomodate most systems (4 regular buttons and then the c-buttons for the N64 right?) Then rather than hardwire everything, just route everything to a connector at the back and close off the case. Then just build several identical back cases, each with their own system and battery supply (which could be interchangeable) and necessary shoulder buttons. Route all the required buttons and power to a mating connector for the front half....then just clip the two halves together and you have a full portable.

Like I said, school takes up 110% of my time, so I have no way to actually implement it, but if someone is up to the challenege I would be duly impressed!

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:41 am

Actually I think a couple people had already mentioned something similar. Who was that?

khaag · Post by **khaag** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:54 am

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?t=23137

codeman · Post by **codeman** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:02 am

haha, like i said...i haven't been around for a while! Sorry, a friend of mine just suggested it so I thought I'd mention it here, guess I was too late!

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:55 am

codeman - Yes, you have described my WIP quite well! I am making it from "wouldn't it be cool" as normally discussed, to reality.

It is quite a hard project, but taking shape. I am hoping nothing fries during the project.

If you want to do similar work, follow my WIP, I am making it (hopefully) good enough for someone to follow it and make their own. I have had to put a lot of R&D into this project, I am happy for others to make their own though by using my documentation as their foundation (and would actively encourage it).

The casing front part is nearly complete, in a few days time I will start the system half for the N64. As the system is going to have N64 initially, (phase one), I posted the thread in the N64 forum.

codeman · Post by **codeman** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:34 pm

I just hate making cases! I've had the electronics for an N64p done for over a year...but the friend that I had working on the case got laid off from work, so now I'm stuck trying to do it myself! I'm avoiding hand made cases at all cost though, too much work

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:16 pm

...although you can make it EXACTLY as you want it. My case in this project has to be pretty well millimeter perfect, so it has to be designed and also hand made.

w00tLOL · Post by **w00tLOL** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:51 pm

too bad rapid prototyping/ 3d printers are still so damn expensive

codeman · Post by **codeman** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:45 pm

w00tLOL wrote:too bad rapid prototyping/ 3d printers are still so damn expensive

haha...that's the worst part!! We have a 3d printer at work. My friend was like 80% done with an amazing case, but then he got laid off!!! Ugh

w00tLOL · Post by **w00tLOL** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:39 pm

desktop factory should be releasing their $4999 3d printer soon, but its maximum size is 5x5x5 inches, so large portable cases you'd have to be done in little bits.

still, it would be a while before we can get them for $50 or even $500

but $4999 could be a good investment and it could be payed off by doing 3d jobs for people..

http://www.desktopfactory.com