Sure, it may sound crazy to stick a Windows PC into the chassis of a big, blue keyboard. But trust me, the people at Open Labs are even crazier than you think. This isn’t a keyboard you’ll check email on. It’s a keyboard you’ll watch movies on. Here’s my hands-on report (or, as I like to say here at CDM, grubby, greasy fingers-on report . . .)
The MiKo is a Windows PC built into a big, blue keyboard that doubles as a:
So, got all that? It’s a computer – control surface – keyboard – DJ / VJ workstation – home entertainment studio, after all.
And it’s all in a case that’s sparkling bumper car blue. The price is great: intro US$1999. (Keeping in mind this features a touchscreen, control surface, keyboard, software bundle, audio interface, and desktop-class machine.) The bad news is the weight and bulk: 35 pounds means us subway musicians will probably stick to a laptop and keyboard. But Open Labs does promise it’ll fit in the back of a Honda (part of the reason for making the instrument), and I can say the package is very cool in person. You wouldn’t turn one away if it showed up in your living room.
I’m not saying rationally I should want one. Only that I irrationally do want one. Wave of the future or not, Open Labs has paid attention to a lot of the details, and built an instrument everyone at the show was drooling over. (I surveyed both vendors and showgoers, just to make sure I wasn’t insane, and the whole thing wasn’t a mirage.)
Sadly, Open Labs isn’t holding a keyboard-burning party this year I can rescue a unit from. Just wait until summer NAMM hits Austin, Texas, their hometown. I’m sure I’ll wind up in jail with these guys at that party. Stay tuned.
this is getting made fun of a good deal, and i guess it's deserved due to the "home theater" slant. but, considering the price of those "made for musicians" windows computers, this is a very low price, right?
does the lcd screen flip up? either way, you could hook up a second display, mouse and keyboard and use it as your primary computer for when you're not performing, right?
Could you use this as your primary computer? Absolutely. The screen doesn't flip up — that would be nice for playing, actually. But you could easily connect a high-res display, keyboard, and mouse, for sure; that's part of the idea.
And I agree, the price is quite low for what you get.
how much for the dual core version? this seems a great way to offload VI's (and for a mac user to get a PC that's actually cool).
how can i get this groovestation
Is there a brochure available on the miko?If so,I'd like to get one in the mail.The address is shown below.
1054 evergreen drive
carol stream,il.60188-9176
usa