honrstly i would say get a lil of both, i like both, somtimes it is easier on software, and sumtimes easier on hard ware, i got a yamaha psr 450 for 180$ thats including tax and a 20$ insurance that pays for me to ship it to a repair place if it breaks, i also got reason from a friend, and have fruity loops 5 demo version, and acid, all this together works great for me, and i got everything for next to nothing