I'll definitely be using both the pads and the keys, not sure which one is more important to me since I haven't gotten my hands on it yet. Drums are definitely easier to do without a controller and melodies are the primary reason for purchase, but I'm definitely getting a controller with pads built in to use them for drums as well. I've been looking into the Nektar and it seems like another solid option, curious what you think about it? It's linked in the OP but here's another.
I'm definitely not looking to go above 49 keys atm. I've been using my computer keyboard to produce music at this point and I am no piano player, so 25 will probably be enough to start but maybe I should make the jump to 49 now so it's a little future proof. Unfortunately I don't have a nice enough laptop that I would want to produce with or I'd take the 25 for mobility alone.
Interesting you say that about the quality of the pads, /u/dillpickle108 says pretty much the exact opposite as you. I've also read online that Novation makes great products but you're the second person ITT now to say otherwise, maybe I should avoid them, but the Impulse especially looked really great.
The biggest thing I'm worried about with the Akai is that it doesn't have a screen for selecting the channel and all that, which seems really useful - as do the wheels on the side of the others. It looks great tho and I like the size and position of the drum pads. I'm curious what you think of the Nektar? Seems to have the best of everything I want with the lower price tag, a little worried about the quality tho and I don't enjoy the look of it as much, but that's hardly important.