A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient, to the dialyzer, and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. The hemodialysis system includes a hemodialysis machine and dialysate generator which are physically connectable to, and disconnectable from, one another. To connect the hemodialysis machine and dialysate generator together, both the hemodialysis machine and dialysate generator possess connectable and disconnectable electrical connectors and fluid connectors which are positioned and constructed to allow both a fluid and electrical connection between the two machines. The hemodialysis machine includes a processor and a user interface, preferably in the form of a touchscreen, that is capable of controlling both the functions of the hemodialysis machine and the dialysate generator.