I was just looking on my site here and noticed I hadn’t updated in nearly 2 weeks! What’s wrong with me?

For the past 2 weeks I have been working on what is probably my most complex portable yet. I guess it’s not that it’s really terribly difficult, there’s just so much stuff to do for it. If my luck holds it should be done this weekend and I can update the site with it.

So don’t worry, I haven’t fallen into a pit of hyenas or anything! Stay tuned!

This unit has a 3″ screen and the case measures 4.75″ x 6.75″ x 1.5″, which isn’t much bigger than the NOAC NESp I built last month. Only 1/2″ taller. I actually built this portable out of balsa wood because I thought it’d be an interesting thing to try. Well, that and engraving plastic of course.

Alas, I could not implement stereo sound into this one. It would have increased the difficulty too much. But I’ve added some other interesting features instead. For more details scope out the Project 42 page and scroll down to portable #4.

If there’s one portable people ask me to build a lot, it’s the Sega Dreamcast. If there’s another system they ask about almost as much, it’s the Super Nintendo.

Well, here ya go! (Click photo for large version with lots of detail)

Some specs on this unit:

For more info and specs on this latest creation of mine, visit the Project 42 page and scroll down to portable #3.

Person #1 at water cooler: “Did you see that Ben built yet another new NES portable?”
Person #2: “Again? Geez, maybe it was better when he hardly updated his site at all…”
Person #1: “Well, I guess a slew of NESp’s is better than nothing…”

Here’s my latest portable – the Nintendo Entertainment System Portable, built with CNC machinery. I used a laser engraver again, much like the NOAC NESp below. For a bit more info on this machine, check out the Project 42 page and scroll down to portable #2.

Don’t worry – I promise my next portable won’t be a regular Nintendo!

Ta-da!

Measuring a mere 4.75″ x 6.25 x 1.5″, it is the smallest portable game system I have ever built. It’s barely larger than the cartridge, which slides down the back…

It runs off 4 regular AA batteries and the screen has been modified to use white LED’s. This saves power – the entire unit only consumes around 400mA. I’ve working on this project off and on since June of 2003. For the entire story and more pics & specs, check out the NESp page! Enjoy!

Person #1 at water cooler: “Is Ben EVER gonna build another portable? What does he DO all day?”
Person #2: “Have faith, o non-believer! He’ll make something soon!”
Person #3, wasting work time surfing on web: “Fellows! Look over yonder… a NEW PORTABLE!”

Yes, finally after all this time I have built something! One that I’ve wanted to make for quite a while… There’s a catch to this unit, however – I built it WITHOUT A CNC MACHINE!

*gasp*   *gurgle*   HUH? Yes, it’s true. Exactly how I built it will be under wraps for now, but the information will be available in the future so you can make one just like this of your very own!

For a bit more info and pics regarding this unit, check out my Project 42 page. As a parting note for today, I will be making a new portable about every 2-3 weeks for the next few months, so stay tuned!

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