Three things stand out here... The weight, the key-feel. and the sound of an arranger.

As of yet, I've played nothing that excels at all three... And for someone as picky as I am about the sound and feel of a keyboard, I have to admit that, of the three, the weight is the only one I am prepared to compromise about.

Others have a different set of priorities. But once you sit down (or stand up) to play a keyboard, it's weigh at that point is moot. The only thing that matters then is how it sounds, and how it FEELS and responds to you as a player. And THAT is the only time the audience is in front of you...

Ian has often said that you get used to the feel on a PSR... You can get 'used' to a MicroKorg But would you WANT to? If a better feeling keyboard was available with no weight penalty, I am SURE he would prefer to play something better. The fact that he even contemplated, yet alone purchased an NP-30 for home use demonstrates that he IS aware that there ARE bigger and better keyboards, and they have their uses. The fact is, the better the keyboard feel and response, the better you play. Why would anyone WANT to lug around a keyboard he KNEW he could play better on if only it had a better action?

But weight is his priority, pure and simple. And that is fine. But it comes at too high a cost for me. WHAT keybed I play on, and how it sounds are things I just can't justify giving up for the sake of a few pounds saved. I gig 7+ times a week here in season, and yes, it's a pain , but so far, not the slightest desire to get a PSR...!

squeak is right to a certain extent. Sales numbers for Motif7's and FantomX7's are several orders of magnitude higher than arrangers, yet you rarely hear a single complaint on the WS forums about the weight of these things. Does this mean the are all body-builders, or none of them gig regularly? I really don't think so I think they have all just decided that there are FAR more important things to worry about, and are prepared to accept that any significant weight loss would be accompanied by a significant build quality and key-feel loss. And, Lo and behold! They don't seem to have a problem with it...!

Why are arranger players SO willing to make this compromise, when virtually no other musicians ARE?

Just one person's opinion, yada yada yada, YMMV, Objects in mirror may be lighter than they appear...