I currently use a Macbook (OS 10.5) for all my PD patching. However, as I am primarily focused on using GEM for live video performance alongside musical groups, I am thinking about getting a second laptop for performances (to keep my Macbook safe).
I'm thinking of getting an Acer Aspire One netbook running linux.
I'd like to know the pros and cons of this.
-Will swapping patches between Mac OS and Linux be a problem (I'm guessing no, but I figured I'd ask)?
-I've heard of some problems with VGA out on Linux laptops, is this going to be an issue?
-Does the netbook have enough processing power for general GEM applications? I'm usually not dealing with video files, but rather particle generation, shape manipulation, GIF texturing, and audio-response. On my Macbook (2.0 GHz intel processor) the CPU meter always shows below 50% usage (of course, that's not to say that it doesn't freeze up and boot me out sometimes).
-Are there any other issues that you think of given this scenario? and if so, what other affordable/really-cheap laptops are there out there that I can run linux on?