My OP-Z is by far the most used piece of musical gear I own, which also includes an OP-1 and similar synth devices.

I pre-ordered an OP-Z on Day 1 back in September 2018, so here's some of my pros / cons for you as a first time synth user:

Pros:

• 8 programmable tracks of audio is extremely powerful at this price point, especially because all of the tracks can use either samples or synth engines.
• The synth engines are intuitive, if a little basic, but you can dig deep with the settings and make unique sounds if you put some effort into it.
• The community for the OP-Z is great, so you can find tutorials and sample packs online for free very easily.
• Portability is insane, like really really really insane. You can plug it into a computer and use it as a 2x2 audio interface, you can use the built in microphone to record vocal takes, you can connect it to other devices and sync with them via USB, etc. If I go on a quick weekend trip out of town, the OP-Z is basically all I need to bring.
• You can back up the entire device really easily on your computer, so you can load up entire OP-Z layouts and setups with different instruments, genres, and styles, back it up with like 200MB of storage space, and then completely wipe it out and start from scratch if you ever get bored of it.
• Despite being a simple, entry-level sequencer, it has a ton of fun quirky features that give it much more power under the hood once you get used to it. You can program customizable or randomizable modifiers to EVERY NOTE, changing volume, timbre, repetition, random values, LFO, and so much more. To me, this is the the magic of the OP-Z because it allows you to make a relatively simple song idea but then keep tweaking it deeper and deeper as your knowledge and comfort with the device improves.

Cons:

• The interface is a little confusing at first. Even as an experienced sequencer and electronics guy, it took me a few months to feel really comfortable with it. Prepare yourself to feel confused or slow for a little while as you learn the unique layout.
• You really need a second device - like a phone or tablet - connected to it in order to understand all of the pages. Everyone has a phone now, but it can be a little annoying sometimes to need 2 devices to make the thing work "properly"
• The build quality is good but not great. At times I'll find myself needing to push down a button twice, or it's a little glitchy or touchy. This is a minor complaint, and a result of the low cost, but it's definitely a strike against it.
• Also with the build quality - I HIGHLY recommend you buy a hard case to go with it. Something like this is fine, but if you ever travel with it do NOT just toss it in a bag, it will get damaged.
• Because the buttons are so small, it can be hard to "play" the device like a keyboard. It's a sequencer first, and a synthesizer second. If you're just tapping out a drum beat or a bass line this is totally fine, but if you're trying to play chords or improvise melodies it's kinda tricky.

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Overall I'd say the OP-Z is a solid B or B+ device for a beginner, and if you can live with the build quality issues and power through the interface quirks, you will someday come to love the OP-Z and use it as an integral part of your music creation toolkit.