Similarly, I bought a Casio "Arranger Workstation" (CTK6250) a couple of years ago, and while a) It is more expensive in absolute terms at $200-$300 new, and b)

Similarly, I bought a Casio "Arranger Workstation" (CTK6250) a couple of years ago, and while a) It is more expensive in absolute terms at $200-$300 new, and b) It has its own level of cheesiness; nonetheless the functionality and value for money is absolutely astounding. For a kid starting to learn about music today, it's an all-in one that can last a tremendously long time - built-in decent speakers, battery or mains, more than good-enough sounds and a large variety, plus a sequencer, arranger, and while you have to menu-dive, you can in fact modify its sounds to a fair extent. The arranger part in particular can really motivate a new learner to explore and play and fool around :) It in fact makes it tricky to upgrade - "next level" from Roland or Korg is probably $1000, $1500 or more. I've since, erm, geeked out about synths and acquired a pointlessly-expensive selection to tinker with - but the Casio is now firmly in the family room for my 2 year old and myself to play. I don't see selling or giving it away anytime soon... it's the Honda CBR125 of electronic keyboards, the little engine that could and is just sheer exhilarating fun of its own :)