We present a novel approach to whole slide imaging (WSI) that consists of a uniquely designed, low-cost, single-unit-portable, optically isolated dust-free, onboard mini-computer integrated, fully enclosed WSI scanner device that can be wirelessly controlled through an easy-to-use, intuitive user interface application on an iPad. A Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW)-based control software interfaces with multiple hardware modules within the device using the queued message handler (QMH) architecture optimized to handle synchronous and parallel real-time processes. The system scans an area of 15 × 15 mm2 in ∼ 5 min at a resolution of ∼ 0.25 μm with a 40 × objective lens. With a low weight of 12 kg, the enclosure dimensions being 340 × 265 × 300 mm, and its low cost of building the device makes it more portable and affordable to the intended rural and low-tier medical centers. The instrument incorporates features such as automatic slide loading, slide registration, brightness control, slide scanning, and an autofocus algorithm implementing a unique 'convolution-histogram mean value' method to determine the Z -focus map. The work showcases a shift in preprocessing computations to the cloud server and integrating AI/ML tools for advanced database and image processing techniques on a portable device. A nonmedical application of studying plasma science using the instrument has also been presented, demonstrating its wider application in medical and nonmedical fields. © 1963-2012 IEEE.