Hasta La Gadget!

Okay, okay, I kid. The Xbox One doesn’t look that much like a VCR, but it still is about a big as one. But leave it to an enterprising console modder like James “DarkUncle” Terry to solve that problem, by transforming an Xbox One into a laptop.

What you’re looking at here is what I’m reasonably certain is the very first Xbox One laptop mod. The Console measures only two-inches-thick when closed, and that includes the size of the LCD flat panel built into its lid. That’s even more impressive when you realize that the Xbox One normally measures almost three inches-thick. The top of the console has a matte black finish, with an integrated touch power control and a gloss black shell around the outside. He also added custom buttons for controller sync, eject, and audio volume. Between its additional cooling fans and the standard Xbox One heatsink, James says it stays nice and cool too.

The laptop has all of the regular ports from an Xbox One, but also added an audio line-out connector, which Microsoft neglected to include on the console. Check out the build in the video below:

Great job, James! Now all you need to do is figure out a way to build the Kinect into it, and shrink down Microsoft’s power brick, and all will be right with the world.

If you’re interested in having your own custom Xbox One laptop built, head on over to Dark Uncle Custom Gaming to get in touch with James.

If you regularly play FPSes on your big screen TV, then there’s a handy little gizmo out there that you might want to add to your arsenal. It’s called the HipShotDot, and it’s designed to improve your aim when playing FPSes that have a targeting reticle on screen.

Basically, the HipShotDot is a bright red LED attached to a small transparent suction cup. To use it, simply plug one end into an open USB port, then stick the LED directly over the center of the targeting reticle, then drape the remaining skinny cable down the screen and suction cup it in place. When plugged in, the LED provides a bright new point for you to focus on during FPS battles.

In my experience with the gadget, it definitely made it easier to focus on the dead-center point when aiming weapons. It works with any console or PC, and any FPS that has a consistent targeting point on screen. I suppose it would also work with air and space combat games as well. It also works with any display with a smooth surface. It definitely works with LCD, Plasma and CRT screens, though I’m not sure how well it would stick to a projection screen.

There are only a couple of minor drawbacks to the HipShotDot – first, it remains lit as long as you have it plugged into a USB port. This means that it stays on even during cutscenes and times when you’re not aiming. It’s small enough that it’s not too distracting, and its cable is quite slim too. Though I wish that it had a switch on the cord so you could at least turn it off when you shut down your console – since most consoles continue to provide power via USB when in standby mode. Still, the benefits far outweigh the cons if you’re really into FPS gaming like I am. Plus, the LED effect is kind of cool. It almost looks like a laser sight.

You can grab the HipShotDot online direct from Airdrop Gaming or from Amazon now for $29.99(USD).

The folks at iFixit got their hands on one of the 300 Steam Machine consoles Valve has sent around, and as expected they cracked into its shell, finding out what … Continue reading

72Pins and artist Gabriel Leoni teamed up to give you a way to troll a Half-Life fan this Christmas. This NES cartridge has a game inside it, and it says “Half-Life 3″ on its cover. But it obviously doesn’t have the actual game, or even a NES demake of it. It’s kinda hard to demake something that hasn’t been made yet.

Crowbar your piggy bank and order the cartridge from Steam 72Pins for $15 (USD).

[via it8Bit]

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