Remember that we are talking "bleeding edge" technology here so using softsynths live is still not something I would want to base my living on. It'll make a difference when a good softsynth desktop control-interface GUI rises to the top that makes it as easy to select/control midi channels and softsynth assigments from a computer as it is to select sounds with hardware synths.

Reason 3.0 is due out soon with many enhancements specifically for live use. This may be an important step forward for live softsynth use and would provide the interface/control GUI I just mentioned. I don't know if anyone else on this forum is into Reason like I am, but personally I am more interested in using sequences than arranger functions on stage and in using a softsynth studio rather than a handful of individual programs, so the new Reason upgrade is of particular interest to me. In hardware, the Open Labs nEko LE is around the price of most other workstations now so that's of interest. Also the newer Novation X-stations look interesting because they have real-world function names on their knobs/sliders instead of just letters and numbers, and they come with the audio interface built-into the controller - anything that simplifies the laptop/keyboard combo is of interest. They also have come down in price recently and are available in 25, 49 and 61 note versions (waiting for that 76'er!).

Like everyone else here, I am still more comfortable using an arranger on stage than a computer for the instant-gratification/control thing. But I'm open to using a laptop as an expansion and later when the technology progresses a bit further I may consider going totally with softsynths at some point. My best advice is to stand by - Winter NAMM is just a few weeks away and there's bound to be all kinds of new products coming that'll directly affect stage softsynth feasability.