Personally, I REALLY don't need a touch screen on any electronic device I have. What I really find amazing is the same people that bitched and moaned that they needed real sliders, knobs and button switches, are now crying for a touch screen.

During a live performance, the only thing I REALLY want my hands to be doing is playing. I have a couple foot switches for doing some minor tasks, triggering the vocal harmony, and triggering effects for various right hand voices - that's all I REALLY need. That said, I'm NOT in the category that plays MP3s, MIDI files, and DJs - so maybe those guys and gals NEED a touch screen.

BTW: I've had some touch screen navigational devices and they were a real PITA to use while underway. I would think the same rules apply to arranger keyboards during a live performance. Those dedicated buttons and switches seem to hold up very well for live performances, and I really wonder about the durability of the keyboard's touch screen. I've had two touch screen devices fail for me during the past five years, one of which was a GPS plotter that no longer responded to the screen touches while I was 55 miles out in the Atlantic off the coast of Georgia. Fortunately, I always have a backup, including one for navigating the boat.

I'll stick with the buttons, knobs, and pedals!

Gary