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.