I don't think Cakewalk ever really utilized the hardware market like other DAWs do. That's one area that's lacking...I look at Touch as a novelty at best and not an effective alternative to actual tactile controls and faders.
 
Bill

Yes.

Money no object I'd go for a large format console, something like the SSL Duality.
But to use it professionally with only Sonar?  Not a chance.  I have no faith in Cakewalk's ability to maintain support for such things.  I'd use it with Pro Tools where support is superb and unlikely to be dropped in favour of things like Touch.

Quite a shame really...

I would likely get a couple of these:
 
Store link: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M24/
 
Manufacturer: http://www.mixedlogic.com/
 
 
Bob Bone
 

iPad and V-Control Pro plus the MS Remote Desktop iOS client works well enough for me.

Not quite the same as hardware sliders but much better than a mouse, multiple slider/control moves are possible and plugin control can be a bit less than ideal, but it usually is with a hardware surface as well (just remember to disable the iOS swipes first or confusion reigns).

I suppose my ideal would be a large touch-screen monitor, but they're still very expensive if they're any good, an iPad is smaller and because it works over the LAN it can be taken to where it's needed.

Much less chance of app controllers ending up as expensive ornaments as well I would have thought. If 35 years of using computers has taught me anything it's to be wary of large capital outlays on hardware that can and will cease being supported, often sooner rather than later - or rendered obsolete by an OS update at any time.

Money no object? Easy: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AWS924

MachineClaw
I know, I know - learn the keyboard shortcuts.  sorry, I have 4 DAWs too many shortcuts to memorize in each DAW.

Sonar can import keyboard shortcuts for Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Vegas, Samplitude, and Nuendo. Not sure how current they are, but I doubt the main functions have changed much.

Cookie Jarvis
I look at Touch as a novelty at best and not an effective alternative to actual tactile controls and faders.
 

Have you used a large touch screen monitor with Sonar? The trickis to lay it out at the same angle as a regular mixing console. What it allows is very fast two hand operation - swipe things fast with one hand, have the mouse ready to pounce in the other. Much faster than QWERTY or mouse, and no "clack" from motorized faders, which can be really annoying sometimes.
 
Touch is in its infancy. I believe in the not too distant future, hardware controllers will fade away. We have a whole generation raised on iPads. Touch has disadvantages and advantages compared to hardware, but I believe the advantages have the...uh...advantage. If nothing else, it's time DAWs moved away from the hardware paradigm and started to exploit the unique attributes that computers bring to the party. 

The FW-1884 is STILL a control surface!
Just not the main audio interface as Ed and I are both using the RME UFX.
The 8 pres in the FW-1884 are available by light piping to the UFX.
Its a very fine surface, and really not a bad audio interface.
One caveat. It has been orphaned by Tascam and it can be an issue getting it to work in WIN 8.
I found Win 8 frustrating and gave up. Some report it can be done.
I'm a happy Win 7 user for now so all is well.
Tom
Oh and did I forget to say I love my Tascam FW-1884 control surface?
mybad?

All of us FW-1884 owners feel the same way! They(whether Tascam or Frontier Design) really SHOULD just update and re-issue this unit. In the 10 years it has been out, it is STILL hard to beat.