Hi keybplayer, I know about the Win-64 stuff since I read many technical online magazines like news.com , slashdot etc and I wrote my thoughts after reading the stuff you posted.

Keep in mind that win-64 will constitute a problem for all parties involved (CPU makers, driver writers, application makers), because Windows 64bit will require a special version for each different 64bit CPU (Intel Itanium and AMD64).

read this: (a link I already posted)
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,112749,pg,6,00.asp

".... The performance of the AMD Opteron in WindowsXP (32bit) greatly excels all 32bit applications beyond all other current processors ...."

Sorry this is a lie. "excels a a few percent" is appropriate, but "greatly excels" is nothing more than marketing speak.
The AMD64 CPUs need 64bit operating systems and applications optimized for 64bit to unleash its full potential.

see the 32 bit benchmark numbers:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,112749,pg,5,00.asp

This is why I say save your money and buy 32bit while waiting for cheap 64bit CPUs as the Windows OS/applications become available (realistically speaking at least 1.5 - 2 years).
The PC based keyboards offer the advantage of using ATX mainboards thus it's easy to change the mainboard/CPU without spending a fortune.
This if you plan using Windows of course.

Regarding Linux: of course the Neko can use Linux but a naked Linux distribution is not of big use because there is no middleware software plus other custom software like the one one on the Mediastation that makes it a real keyboard.

So in the Neko64's case the only way to use it without needing to be a geek is to use Windows XP which is limited to the 32bit realm for some more time.

Anyway hopefully some on SZ will soon buy a Neko64 (base 76key version $5,928.00 ), test it extensively and tell us the difference between the Neko64 and traditional keyboards, if it works well for live gigs (or if a windows virus ruined the evening :-) ), if it's easy to use for the non computer savy musician, if there is an arranger module (or in the negative case what software module one can install and how much it costs, if it's integrated well etc.

I think in a keyboard integration and ease of use for non computer savy musicians is the determinant for it's success otherwise as many said here, it's just cheaper to buy a master keyboard, a few MIDI controllers (faders/buttons/knobs) and a PC/laptop put windows and a few VST plugs on it.

Anyway the positive side of the existence of the Neko and the Mediastation is that there will be innovation and it will force the big 3 keyboard makers to rethink their strategy of selling decade old technology in new clothings branding it as the state of art.
Competition is good for the consumer.

cheers,
Benno
http://www.linuxsampler.org