me too is interested in 9" device
and the split screen would be a nice feature for a 9"
but back to the touchtopic - if it's "just" 50$ more, and has NO disadvantages - I think I would buy a touch just for the "why not might come in handy". I would never buy a 3G or something, because I definitely wouldn't need it. but touchscreen.... I think it has almost all the advantages of a keyboard (like k2), without getting ugly and big