akai s2000--help me out

[monikker]

I'm about to buy my first sampler used almost exclusively for hip hop beats and melodies. I want to get an akai s2000 but i want to make sure i'm making the right decision. I heard it's alot like the mpc except it doesnt have the pads and sequencer which should be no problem because i've got a keyboard and i'm running cubasis and fruity loops on my pc--right?

Is there a better alternative? Is it pretty easy to use as a first sampler, but still have all the functions ima need?

thanks for your help
Monikker