A touch screen is not a necessity, but having one for a while has won me over. It is just so much faster and easier to get around with. I would like to see Roland put out an E-A7 with a touch screen, harmony, at least a basic sequencer and maybe a looper. But I too fear they may be just about done with arrangers. Also, the life cycle of their arrangers seems to have increased. They are still selling the BK5 after 7 or 8 years.