"Serious synth guys probably need midi connections".

How insulting is that to "serious", and not so serious arranger players I think it was a very poor decision. If it's competition with their current products, then it shouldn't matter if the midi is there or not. Even without the midi the YPG/625 already (since it now has balanced hammer action) will compete with the P60/70, and even the P140 series. Personally I think that's a very standard and basic feature that wouldn't have hurt them in any way to add.

I'll probably try talking the guy into getting the M-Audio ProKeys88. It's one hell of a controller with a few sounds as an added bonus. Check out the specs. It's price range is that of the Yamaha P60/70

Features

88-key graded hammer-action keyboard
126-note polyphony with single, split and layer modes
Pitch and modulation wheels plus three pedal inputs
3 reverb spaces plus chorus, rotary, tremolo and 2-stage equalizer
Dedicated volume faders for master, layer and split
3 velocity curves plus fixed velocity to optimize feel
Built-in USB MIDI interface with MIDI In/Out jacks
Headphone and 1/4” stereo outs
Stunning stereo grand piano samples with 3 velocity layers
Large 64MB sound bank with 14 world-class instruments


Squeak