PlayStation 4 Slim transformed into compact 5-centimeter (1.97-inch) thick handheld console

A YouTube channel called Restore Technique pulled off a cool mod, turning a PlayStation 4 Slim into a portable gaming gadget. Restore Technique squeezed the console's electronics into a handheld less than 5-centimeters (1.97-inch) thick.

This custom build, the PS4T (PlayStation 4 Transport), keeps the console's functions intact while tackling tricky design challenges. Restore Technique went with the latest PS4 Slim model because it's got a smaller motherboard and uses less power than the older ones.

To make it portable, Restore Technique threw in a 17.8-centimeter (7-inch) 1080p IPS LCD screen and split a DualShock 4 controller, putting its parts on both sides of the device. Restore Technique also cuts the touchpad into two buttons and sticks them above the screen to make it easier to use.

The whole process needed a bunch of tweaks to the original hardware. Restore Technique ditched the optical drive and swapped the standard hard drive for a smaller M.2 SSD. One USB port made the cut, and they switched the HDMI port to mini-HDMI to reduce size.

Figuring out the power setup was a bit of a hassle. Restore Technique built a custom battery pack using 21700 cells in a 3S2P configuration, giving about 5,000mAh per cell. This setup lets you game for around 90 minutes on one charge.

Restore Technique hit some bumps along the way. The first 3D-printed case fell apart when the ABS plastic reacted with the thread locker. Plus, the console started showing visual glitches from overheating, so they had to add extra thermal shields and upgrade the heatsink.

The final version comes loaded with handy features:

• Dual front-firing speakers
• Six-stage battery indicator
• Brightness and volume controls
• Headphone jack
• Air intake vents
• Rear-facing exhaust system

The whole thing weighs 1.7 kg (3.75 lbs) and runs with a fan speed that's 40 percent faster than the default PS4 fan speed to keep it cool. One downside is the battery pack being over 100Wh, so it's a no-go for air travel under today's rules.

This project shows it's possible to build a portable console from current-gen hardware, though there are some trade-offs with battery life and heat management. While it's not the first portable PS4 mod, this one brings some clever ideas for shrinking things down and managing power to keep gaming performance solid.