I've been watching this too. Even if you add the $600 touch screen (not much fun without it) then the nEko LE is priced about the same as many pro workstations. Yes it comes with a lot of softsynths but not the top-of-the-line brands - I believe the ones you can get yourself will be better. I've started my own softsynth collection anyway and softsynth studios like the new Reason 3.0 will be especially cool on the nEko. The LE model can be upgraded all the way to a top-of-the-line model if desired so it's nice to have that kind of flexibility to grow.

The whole soft-arranger thing is a great idea but it's not a deal-breaker for the nEko LE... in fact, it's entirely dependent on whether programs like OMB continue to evolve. That great thing about the nEko is that it's the one instrument that can be exactly what the player wants it to be, within the context of the software that is installed on it.

Having an "entry-level" nEko is what Open Labs needed to do to get performers interested in their products... it's a very good idea, and especially appealing to those of us who are tired of the same old thing from Y/K/R. But as Mike said, they really need to offer larger keyboard sizes - my guess is they will soon because the nEko chassis looks like it's large enough to take a 76-note keyboard already.