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We don't really review computers, because we're not a computer magazine. So we let the other guys measure how many seconds it takes for computer A to render a 15GB file in Photoshop compared to computer B, or which one smokes Doom frame rates better. Nope, not gonna go there.
But when something different comes along that answers a musician's needs in a unique way, that's a different story. Rain Recording recently sent one of their new Event computers for review, and one way to describe it is as a sort of Mac Mini for Windows. But that's just skimming the surface. For musicians, it bridges the gap between carrying around a desktop computer, with its attendant bulk but sturdy construction, and toting a fragile, anxiety-inducing laptop. Put a mouse, keyboard, and LCD monitor in a flight case, stash an Event in your carry-on baggage (or two if you want a redundant system - they're small), and you're good to go.
But of course, with something this small, the performance can't be that great . . . right? Let's find out.
What's Inside (And Outside)
The Event has no slots, so forget about using your favorite PCI-based interface. However, with two USB 2.0 ports and one six-pin FireWire port, you can use any of the current crop of "outside the box" interfaces for getting audio in and out of the Event. There is an AC97 5.1 sound chip with line in, line out, mic in, and S/PDIF optical out, but while you could use it in a pinch, for serious musical applications I'd recommend an external interface. The only catch: The keyboard and mouse (supplied with the package) take up the two USB slots, so unless you're using a FireWire interface and have no dongles, a USB hub is essential.
As to horsepower, the processor is an Intel Core 2 Duo; the internal drive is 100GB (Ultra 150 SATA with 8MB buffer). However, be...