i think i have problem to choose a keyboard.
Casio ctk2100
http://www.casio-intl.com/emi/standard/ctk2100.html
61 piano-style keys
• 48-note polyphony (maximum)
• 400 high-quality tones including stereo grandpiano tones
• 150 rhythms including 55 ethnic rhythms and 20 patterns for piano play
• Auto-accompaniment
• 110 Song Bank tunes, including 20 Exercise phrases
• One Touch Preset (150 presets)
• Digital Effects: Reverb (10 types)
• Rhythm / Song Bank Controller
• Metronome
• Musical Information System (LCD)
• GM level 1 compatible
• Speakers (dia x qty)：10cm x 2
• Amplifier：1.6W + 1.6W
• Comes with song book, music stand
• Size (W x D x H): 949 x 354 x 112 mm
• Weight: 3.8 kg
• Batteries: AA-size x 6
• AC adaptor: AD-5
• EAN code: 4971850313656

Casio ctk496
http://www.casio-intl.com/emi/standard/ctk496.html
• 61 full-size keys
• 12-note polyphony (maximum)
• 100 tones
• Auto-accompaniment (controllers: synchro/fill-in, start/stop)
• 100 rhythms
• MIDI (5-channel multi-timbre receive)
• GM simulation mode
• Speakers (dia x qty)：10cm x 2
• Amplifier：2W + 2W
• Comes with song book and music stand
• Size (W x D x H): 956 x 355 x 132mm
• Weight: 4.0kg
• Batteries: AA-size x 6
• AC adaptor: AD-5
• EAN code: 4971850312918

I know Casio-2100 far more better but is it a waste if i buy ctk-2100?
market price for ctk2100 is only rm630, ctk-496 is rm500. how's your opinion?

496 is an old model. Sounds like a waste of money if you choose it over 2100 because the price difference is too small. If your budget reaches 2100's price, then go for it. Plus, 2100 has USB connection so you can use it as MIDI device. 2100 beats 496!

First of all, try out the keyboards in real live first. Or search the model on youtube, and check if there's anyone doing demos on it. The most important aspect in selecting a keyboard (to me), are the sounds. Do you like the pre-tones the keyboard has? Does it match your liking/soul? Bonus from a keyboard is if it offers effect which you can play around/customize with the set tones. If you're new to this, Casio keyboard is a good start. (I love Casio, Roland comes second) But if you're planning to play this for long term & wanna be able to control more on the tones as you advance, get a synthesizer instead. (as I get older, I'd prefer to own a synthesizer from start (& still trying to find a suitable one now), but I'm happy that I get to start off with a pretty good keyboard)

Design & specs wise, CTK2100 looks more promising, although I'm not sure how it sounds like yet.
Sorry if I'm not much of help. Good luck getting your keyboard though!

simple choice.

notice the 496, 12 voice polyphony (can't believe the number!) means you can maximum output 12 notes. imagine if you press the sustain pedal, and start to play. sustain more than 12 notes, you'll hear the earlier notes starting to disappear.

32 voice polyphony is practically minimum.

I suggest that you get either a Casio CTK-2100 or a Yamaha PSR-E223. Both are priced quite similarly and have their own strengths / weaknesses. So you will have to go to a shop and test out both keyboards.




As for Casio's CTK-496, it would probably be replaced by the new facelift version - the CTK-1100, when it is released around next month or so. I am uncertain of its availability in Malaysia yet as I only found news about its release on Casio's Europe site.


Compare its looks with the aging CTK-496 below and you will notice how sleek the CTK-1100 is:


This post has been edited by Fusion[eX]: May 30 2010, 11:32 PM