Joy, Joy Joy!!!
 
I keep hoping one of these pops up on Stupid Deal of the Hour today! 
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid
 

Just noticed a 20% off promotion on the Alesis VX49 at Musician's Friend. Appears quite similar to the AKAI Advance 49, with the onboard VIP patch display.
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/alesis-vx49-49-key-keyboard-controller
 
I found this when I tried to see if I could apply another discount code that I received by email.  That didn't work, but this popped up automatically.
 
Don't know how long this deal lasts, but you can pick this up for about $320 with the discount in the cart.  So with the list price at $100 less than the AKAI, and with the promotion it runs a bit less than the $499 that the Akai lists for.

The Akai Advance and the Alesis have the same screen.

VX49 (with VIP 3.0) first impressions:
 
Just received my new Alesis VX49 yesterday.  First impressions are good.  It's very solid for a plastic keyboard, at least as good as the ol broke-ass M-Audio Axiom 49 I am now replacing (couple of broken sliders, and several pads quit working, but the keys are still solid - for sale, cheap!!!).
 
I already owned the instruments included with the software bundle, so the VIP v3.0 software was the big attraction for me.  It also came with a copy of Ableton Live Lite.  For those that don't already have the AIR instruments, it comes with Xpand!2, Hybrid 3, Vacuum Pro, Loom, Velvet, and Transfuser.  Also has the Eighty-Eight Ensemble piano from Sonivox.  All good stuff!
 
I have just finished the first pass through scanning my VSTs into the VIP software, and I am favorably impressed with the number of synths that it was able to import patches for.  Obviously all of the AIR stuff works, as well as most of the Sonivox, except for the recent singles instruments.
 
The good news is that it also integrated fine with the AAS Player, SynthMaster 2, SampleTank 3, the free TAL synths, the free u-he synths that I have, including Tyrell and Zebralette.  It also picked up the demos of Diva and Zebra 2.
 
Not much luck with most of the Cakewalk synths, except for a big surprise with z3ta+ classic!!!  That is one synth that really needs an updated browser.  Now it has one!!!
 
I would say that the VIP software is fully functional, even without the integrated keyboard.  The fact that you can browse across your VST instrument collection for a particular sound is powerful.  What's the use of having 10.000+ patches if you can't see what you have.  This VIP software really tags and bags it for you!
 
One good example is if you choose the style "atmospheric", it will highlight all of the synths in your collection that have imported patches with that characteristic.  Very cool!!!  I just love having the thousands of sounds in SampleTank and SynthMaster at my fingertips, not to mention all of the cool sounds in all of the AIR instruments, including Structure! 

Sure wish VIP would also work on older M-Audio Axioms.

Fleer
Sure wish VIP would also work on older M-Audio Axioms.

VIP will work fine as a plugin host with any controller, just without the dedicated interface.  The patch management alone is worth the price of admission, if you have a large collection.
 
And $240 for the whole shebang with the VX49 is a killer deal!

Fleer
Cheers. Just wondering why it's a free download for my Axiom Air Mini 32 and not for those other Axiom controllers from the same era.

I think that there were at least three generations of Axioms.  I bought the 1st gen Axiom while M-Audio was still in business with Avid, and after the change to inMusic I couldn't even buy parts for it from the service dept.  But if it's from the same era, that is just another inMusic mystery.  I like most of their stuff, but it can be hit or miss at times... big parent company juggling all the kids priorities ...