The Xbox Files: Modding guru solves the latest case of traveling gamers' blues with an ultra-portable Xbox 360 laptop in element14's "The Ben Heck Show"

CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- element14, the first collaborative engineering community and electronics store for design engineers and technology enthusiasts, and modding guru Benjamin J. Heckendorn, a.k.a.Ben Heck, wrap up season two of "The Ben Heck Show" with a bang, designing an uber sleek and compact Xbox 360™ laptop for portable gaming. "The Xbox Files" show underscores Ben's ongoing quest to build user-friendly gadgets, segueing into a third season packed with all-new, entertaining mods beginning early November.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110216/CG49295LOGO)

Ben deconstructs the Xbox gaming system to integrate new, enhanced features, including an upgraded ring of light, a TI audio amplifier for built-in stereo sound, and a volume control with only one input to streamline game controls. Ben also designs and routes a custom case using nothing more than a bit of ribbon wire, DIY-finesse and ingenuity. The end result is a perfectly built, slim and portable Xbox 360 Laptop with all the sought-after outputs – optical, HDMI, Ethernet, and USB – providing professional and amateur gamers with endless gaming whether at home or on-the-move.

"I couldn't think of a more fitting way to close-out the second season of the show," said Ben.  "Let's face it – I began my modding career by building a portable device, and I enjoyed ending a second successful season with another magnificent, infinitely portable build for the avid gamers out there." 

Fans of the show are invited to tune in on Nov. 2 exclusively on element14 to watch the first episode of the dynamic third season of "The Ben Heck Show," designed to provide modders and DIYers an enhanced viewing experiencing. Airing in 10-minute weekly segments, viewers will gain even more problem-solving fodder, as well as unique design insight and inspiration. A sneak peek and video introduction to the new season are available here.

"We continue to receive praise and positive feedback from the element14 Community about 'The Ben Heck Show' as an educational and entertaining resource," said Kevin Yapp, chief marketing officer, Premier Farnell, parent company of element14. "While this episode marks the end of an exciting second season, viewers and fans can look forward to a bigger and better third season, with a heck-of-a-lot more mods and DIY tips, and of course, loads more Ben."

Editors' Notes:
An image of Ben's newest Xbox 360™ laptop mod designed for portable gaming is available at:
http://mkt-element-14.com/files/janice/Ben52.jpg

A sneak peek video introduction to the new season is available at: http://youtu.be/ZcY0e92omQ4

About "The Ben Heck Show"
"The Ben Heck Show" is an online television series aired in English that's dedicated to the science and art of system and hardware modding with a global audience of design engineers, students and electronic enthusiasts. Sponsored exclusively by element14, each episode spotlights Ben's mods of popular electronic devices while educating viewers on the underlying technology powering each project.

About element14
Launched in June 2009, element14 is the first information portal, collaborative community and electronics store specifically built for electronic design engineers. The community recently unveiled its element14 knode, a unique automated platform that enables engineers to quickly research, design, develop and prototype in a single, intelligent environment. element14 is an innovative offering from Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl), FTSE 250, a leader in multi-channel electronics distribution trading throughout Europe (Farnell), the Americas (Newark) and Asia Pacific (element14). The company had group sales of £990.8m and underlying profits of £93.3m last year.

US Media Contacts:
Stephanie Johnson
Walt & Company
408.369.7200 x1048
[email protected]

Janice Fleisher
element14
773.907.5941
[email protected]

SOURCE element14