Open Labs has introduced the Touch Laptop – a mobile Windows computer optimized for music production.
The laptop is one of the results of Open Labs’ collaboration with Dell and features Intel Sandy Bridge processors, DDR3 memory and a 14″ Multi-Touch Screen..
Here’s what Open Labs has to say about the Touch Laptop:
With our new Dell partnership, we were able to build a customized laptop based off one of Dell’s most stable and powerful platforms. With complete control over the internal components, operating system, and custom tweaks, the Open Labs Touch Laptop was designed specificly for music creation and live performance.
It’s hardend tri-metal casing features an anodized aluminum back, a tough magnesium frame, and a zinc alloy latch. It also features a spill resistant backlit keyboard and a 360 degree bumper surrounding the touchscreen, making it a truly road ready machine.
Included with the Touch Laptop is our own Music OS 3 software. Designed for touch screen use, the fast and user friendly Music OS™ makes creating and performing with virtual instruments and effects easier than traditional DAW’s.
MimiK keyboard cloning software will clone the sounds of any midi equipped keyboard or hardware sound module. Put all your keyboards into your Touch Laptop.
The Open Labs Touch Laptop is priced starting at $1,499.
Specifications:
- Processor
- Intel® i5 (Dual Core)
- Operating System
- Genuine Windows® 7 64-bit, English
- Storage
- 320GB (Upgradable to 500GB, 750GB or 1TB)
- Memory
- 4GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333Mhz
- Monitor
- 14″ Multi Touch Screen
- Ports, Slots & Chassis
- Network connector (RJ-45)
- USB 2.0 (4) – 1 USB/eSATA combo
- Stereo headphone/Microphone combo jack
- 54 mm ExpressCard
- Docking Connector, VGA, HDMI
- 1 Full and 2 Half Mini Card Slots
- Dimensions & Weight
- Width: 13.86″ / 352mm
- Height: (front/back) 1.06″/26.90mm to 1.28″/32.40mm
- Depth: 9.49″ / 241.00mm
- Starting weight: 4.56lbs / 2.07kg (with 4-cell battery and airbay)
- Input
- Dual Pointing Keyboard: Standard or Backlit
- Multi-touch Touchpad
- Multi-touch Panel Option (2-finger touch)
- Software
- MUSIC OS 3.1 and Mimik Cloning Software
- 10,000+ Sounds, VST’s & FX including Native InstrumentsTM Elements and more (i7 Model)
- 2,000+ Sounds, VST’s & FX including Native InstrumentsTM Elements and more (i5 Model)
- Microsoft MS Office Starter (Word, Excel)
See the Open Labs site for more information.
Specs are less than impressive compared to other so-called custom built production laptops for the price.
How is it customized to music making?
What soundcard it has?
What kind of out puts it has?
14?, i5, USB 2.0 and 4-cell battery @ 1500$ = full of meh.
…and DELL
Cautiously optimistic about this… Would be more interested if they sold it with a more comprehensive audio interfacing solution though.
imho, this is vaste of money.
It’s nice to see that someone is taking the laptop artists serious, but this still feels a little underpowered, and where is the Firewire or thunderbolt port?
I still don’t understand why no one has built a laptop with a good integrated soundcard. I think the customer base is there…
integrating the interface in the laptop is really a bad idea, since everybody has a different way of working and we all need different specs. Just for an example: how many ins, how many outs, does it need DSP, des it need Hi-Z? You can’t make a one-size-fits all solution, that’s why there’s so many interfaces on the market. A laptop with an integrated interface would have a high cost and a total nice market. And btw, where are you going to put all the XLR connectors? You’d have to add something to it anyway…
Would be paying a lot for the “touch” part here, which is questionable since software for this platform is going to be extremely limited. You can get a lot more laptop for less money, and open up your software options.
how is the software platform limited? it windows 7.
i wonder if this product will push my prediction forward by a year or so? the touchscreen iMac is what i’m waiting for.