I wouldn't buy either one of these for a young person interested in music. They are a step backward. Shame on Korg for besmirching the i3 name and reputation. A used Pa500 would be better!

The original i30 (along with the Roland G1000) was one of the all-time greats. Maybe a high-water mark among arrangers. Subsequent evolution has been mostly about the quality of sound samples, articulations, etc. The core arranger functionality didn't develop much beyond these turn-of-the-century models. The software testing (for bugs, etc.) was probably more rigorous then too.

I often think I would be happy if I had only an i30 and G1000 in my home studio.