Interesting how several of you really seem to like the playability of the new Akai.
Based on your positive feedback, I went to check it out at GC last evening. Hmmm...
There was not a 61-key version available. All I could play was the 49 key version. are they they same?
 
I really didn't like the keyboard playability at all!
I understand this is supposedly less-stiff than prior models. I don't mind a heavy action, but I found the combination of short keys (i.e. they are NOT full-size, regardless of advertizing as such), and stiff response that my playability was hindered. By comparison, I preferred the lighter Arturia Keylab 49 and found the M-Audio Axiom Air 49 to be the best at GC. I would also rank the Novation Impulse above the Akai APK249, but below the Axiom Air. I found most all of these keybeds to be exceptionally noisy. Anyway, i decided to order a Novation SL mkii instead.
 
Other than the hard to play smoothly keyboard action of the Akai, I REALLY liked the rest of it's features. I admit I was disappointed to not land on the new Akai. But playability is a deal-breaker for me.