Got a bit of a question here... I'm a college student looking to pick up an instrument. Either going to play the violin or the piano and I'm exploring both options to the fullest right now =)

Being the college student that I am though, I'm a bit confined as far as space goes. I've looked at many of the digital pianos and a few I believe I could squeeze in here... It's not the real thing though =/

Thoughts? =/ Would I be better off waiting for the real thing when the time came? For some reason... I can't seem to get it out of my mind that it's an electronic device and not an instrument.

I love the real instrument itself but this all seems like it's too fake... as if I'm cheating myself out of it.

Bleh

I used to think that. Earlier this year I bought a digital piano because:
1) I live in an apartment and want to play at night and don't want to make noise.
2) Don't have much space (1 bedroom apt)
3) Don't have much money.

I'm very happy with the results . I bought a Yamaha P120. The touch is just like I expected. To my fingers it feels just like a grand, and it sounds pretty close too I really enjoy playing it.

Some differences I notice from real pianos are that it's not as firm. Maybe I pound the keys too hard, but it feels like it wobbles "slightly". I bought the cheapest stand in the shop and it's not as firm as a big heavy piano (although I could make uprights wobble sometimes). I'm not that bad really :p

It doesn't look like a real piano. I'm pretty much facing a wall and there are a couple of red LED's staring at me as I play.

I think you shouldn't worry about it. The practicality far outweighs any differences between digital and accoustic pianos.

If you go with a digital, check out the college practice rooms and vary your practice sessions across the different pianos, and your digital. Getting locked in to just how the digital feels and responds, particularly in your early years with piano, can be a bad thing.

But if you mix it up, and have the guidance of a teacher, you should be okay for a bit. Is picking up a musical instrument part of a course you're taking?

I actually just want to pick something up for the sake of playing =) It's something I've always wanted to do.

I would recommend the Yamaha P120 (or, if you have the money, the P250). You can find the P120 for about $1100 and the P250 for $1900. Another $80 or so for a folding stand and bench and you'll have a nice practice unit that you can take on road trips with you.

I'm looking at one or the other for an alternate to my grand that I can play when I need quiet and for when I go on trips.

I'll second Bob's recommendations, although you'll read others here that are partial to Kawai and Roland. If you go with one of the larger models, like the P250, be aware they're heavy (>70 lbs), and you'll need to spend a bit more on a stand. Otherwise the dreaded wobblies will show up.

Any comments on the Kawai ESX? It's slightly cheaper (which would be nice for me =0 ) and I still hear that it's rather good..