On Linux the Nvidia GPU is the way to go for GEM. You could probably get acceptable performance for basic GEM use from the Acer, but what takes most of the CPU to do with the Intel GMA processor barely taxes a modern GPU. For example, I have measured performance between a MacBook/Mac Mini and MacBook Pro where the Pro was 40x faster because of the GPU! <br>
<br>There are netbooks with NV chips in them, but they cost a little more:<br><br><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220385">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220385</a><br>
<br>cgc<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 11:58 AM, Ben Baker-Smith <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:bbakersmith@gmail.com">bbakersmith@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
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).<br><br>I'm thinking of getting an Acer Aspire One netbook running linux. <br><br>I'd like to know the pros and cons of this. <br><br>-Will swapping patches between Mac OS and Linux be a problem (I'm guessing no, but I figured I'd ask)?<br>
<br>-I've heard of some problems with VGA out on Linux laptops, is this going to be an issue?<br><br>-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).<br>
<br>-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?
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