The image of a hulking, immovable arcade cabinet is a relic of the past. Significant technological and design advancements have shattered this paradigm, making portability a key feature in modern arcade gaming. The evolution spans several critical areas.

First, the revolution began with materials. Manufacturers have largely abandoned heavy particle board and metals in favor of high-density fiberboard (HDF), advanced plastics, and aluminum alloys. These materials drastically reduce weight without sacrificing the structural integrity needed for intense gameplay. A modern cabinet can be a fraction of the weight of its 1980s counterpart.

Secondly, the shift to LCD/LED screens from massive, heavy cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors was a game-changer. Removing the bulky CRT and its associated heavy shielding is perhaps the single most important factor in reducing cabinet weight and depth, enabling much slimmer and lighter profiles.

Driving this hardware is the adoption of lightweight computing. Instead of dedicated, proprietary printed circuit boards (PCBs), modern cabinets often use small form-factor PCs, single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi, or even smartphone-level chipsets. This miniaturization of processing power eliminates enormous amounts of bulk and heat, allowing for incredibly compact designs.

Design philosophy has also evolved. The concept of modularity is now central. Cabinets are designed to disassemble quickly into flat-packed panels for easy transport and storage, much like modern furniture. We also see the rise of the "bartop" arcade, a compact unit that contains the entire gaming experience in a fraction of the space, designed to sit on a table or counter.

Pushing the boundaries further are truly innovative foldable and collapsible designs. Some modern consumer models feature hinges and locking mechanisms that allow the entire control panel to fold down or the cabinet to collapse into a more manageable, suitcase-like form factor for ultimate portability.

Finally, the line has blurred with the advent of all-in-one portable systems. Products like the Arcade1Up series and numerous DIY kits prioritize easy assembly and mobility for the home. They represent the culmination of these advancements: lightweight, using modern screens and computing, and designed for the consumer to move and rearrange with ease.

In conclusion, the quest for portability has transformed arcade cabinets from permanent fixtures into dynamic, movable entertainment units. Through material science, display and computing tech, and radical design thinking, the arcade experience is no longer tied to a single location.