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Dear Piano World,
I was very interested with studying the piano, but it is too expensive to get, that's why I decided I should get my own personal keyboard, so after reading on the internet, I decided I want a keyboard that works with computers, I want to have a variety of sounds and options and that would be fun making those with the computer, also I want the real feel for the sensitivity. I kept reading about semi-weighted keys, sensitive keys and hammer actions keys, all sorts of things, I'm still confused and not sure what to do,
Since I want to buy something that will be good for the long term, I first considered the Oxygen 61 by M-Audio and then turned to the Axiom 61 which seems to be more complex(?) and have semi-weighted keys.
for the number of keys, I heard 61 will be the ideal number of keys for me to have.
please help and add anything to this information if you may, should I check the Axiom61 out? should I go with the Oxygen61, should I check some other manufacturer's products?
thank you so much in advance! I am looking forward to study the keys and I'm really into doing a hard work for it, please help me find the right keyboard for the long term.

Dor, every keyboard sold today works with computers as they all come with a midi and\or USB port. (If there are exceptions to this you probably wouldn't want to buy the keyboard in question anyway.)

I would recommend having someone who plays for living help you in your purchase.

DorMatzliah, I have two Axiom keyboard/controllers (one 61 and one 49). They are great for controlling modules or software synths. BUT... they are not really suitable for learning on and developing technique. The action is OK for synth or organ work but not for piano. For a start, 61 keys is too few for serious two-handed playing, and the semi-weighted keyboard will not give adequate control over the wide dynamics available in the more sophisticated piano samples.

I would suggest a hammer-action keyboard. The new Casio PX-150 and PX-350 or the older PX-130 and PX-330 will give you a good action, coupled with USB for controlling software instruments.

I agree with vox. If you're looking to play "keyboard," there are different ways to go, but if you want to play "piano" you should start with a more appropriate action than the Oxygen or Axiom.

Even a Casio CDP-120 will give you 88 weighted key, for the same price as the Axiom. And unlike the Axiom, it even has a few sounds built in, so you can play around on it without the computer, too.

Thank you for your tips.
the problem is the prices are too high at where I live and I want to buy a new one on Ebay to get a better price, but still all of the keyboards you suggested are offered for atleast 500$ which is too expensive for me, I'm able to spend 400$ at most. if there could be another suggestion please tell me, thank you

Yes - as mentioned above, you really need 'hammer weighted action' to learn piano. Casio, Korg and Yamaha do reletively cheap ones, of very good quality. Out of those, I would opt for Casio, I think.

All keyboards, apart from toys have computer interface (either MIDI in/outs or USB or both)

However, if even the Casio CDP120 (probably the lowest price for a high quality weighted keyboard) is too expensive and you are already looking at ebay, the obvious solution would seem to be to go second hand, asking advice on this forum, if necessary, when a good prospect comes up on ebay.

I have considered what you and the other comments and I have searched again and it seems that the price of the CDP120 is in the range of what I can afford to spend, and I will go to a music store to see for myself if this is enough for the cause
thank you all for the help, you have been really helpful.
hopefully I will buy me a fine keyboard soon and be able to share music with you

Ebay is often not the place to get the best price on new items, but there may be nothing suitable new in your price range where you are. It would be a shame to spend $400 on something that doesn't do what you need when $500 would do it for you, so I would suggest either waiting until you save up another $100, or consider buying something used on eBay. Some older models that may appear in your price range would be the Casio CDP-100, PX-100, PX-110 or Yamaha P-85.

I'm going to invest those extra 100$ for the cause
I'll be heading to the shop in a couple of days, I'll keep you posted.

Hi again guys. I was checking another store from a certain keyboard and got a recommendation for a keyboard other than the Casio CDP120, it's called the Oxygen 88, what do you say? I want to know if I should even go see it