I have one running Essentials 1.2 (from the DVD) on a MacMini (2012) under OSX 10.6.
It can get along 95% with only the internal display, but the computer screen can be handy at times for file and sequencer handling.
(ignoring plugin and DAW like features, which aren‘t extensive in that version yet and in which I weren’t interested at all...)
Add some woodwork... and Studio, MacMini and an interface would fit in a single housing, equivalent to a classic standalone unit for bargain.
But screen activity had at least some influence on timing. Running the Studio with an (admittedly underpowered) Dell Win 8 tablet was completely useless.
Operating the Studio with the sequencer window minimized was great, though.
I liked it enough to quickly get a „real“ MPC, and scored an affordable 4k for it‘s additional sampler features and Adat connectivity. The learning curve keeps me busy atm and the Studio is sitting on the shelf, but I‘ll keep it.
I have 2 DAWs with hardware DSP extensions (Pro Tools TDM and Creamware Scope), hence a low VST affinity, but recent releases by
https://polyversemusic.com/ made me reconsider this.
Since the Studio doesn‘t run on Apple Silicon (and never will), a powerful desktop might apply in that case.
(when I tested plugins on MPC software 2.x, Newfangled Audio‘s Pendular almost brought the old Mini down and the Polyverse stuff is probably even more demanding)
Imho the plugins above are a new (or inspiring) approach to audio processing and would fit the MPC style greatly.
(at least 2 classes above Air releases... )