Well first of all you have to consider the market, which for arrangers is the home market, (The fact that they are used by Pros, has little relevance to the manufacture as they are so small in number) and as always a lot of home users get stuck in a rut, (This is why music lessons are good, as they constantly give you something to aim for) and to get out of it, rather then fully investigate their board, (Usually because the manuals suck (Is it deliberate that manufactures make such poor manuals) they look for something new to give them inspiration and gratification.
When a new board comes out, the hype is so intensified that owners in a rut jump at the chance the get something new, (Even if in reality it is only a marginal improvement) and while this attitude prevails (Encouraged by the manufactures) the manufactures will keep pumping it for all it is worth.
Contrast this with the Pro users (And the growing number of focussed home users) who worked out a long time ago that “It’s not what you play, but how you play that counts”
What makes my Wersi Abacus so invaluable to me, (I’m just a home player BTW) is that I can purchase what “I” want for it, (From virtually every music software manufacture out there) and not be dictated to by the manufacture, plus in addition I have saved myself shed loads of cash in the process, as I never need to buy a new board. (Or learn a new OS)
Great post BTW Chas

Bill