My Push 3 Standalone is on the way, but I plan on using it for performing, specifically in an effort to avoid bringing the laptop. I also don’t want to haul that thing around, plus there’s something just…liberating about not having a laptop in the setup.
The main limitation (especially for someone like you who’s also planning to run hardware) is latency. Dataline has gone into some detail about this in this thread (Dataline on Push 3 + Perkons LiveSet!) and his accompanying video. MIDI latency specifically seems to be too high for running hardware through the Push. However, Cenk alludes to the fact that Ableton is likely to add per-track MIDI delay to the Standalone. (In the video, he’s using Push with a laptop).
This latency (along with regular audio latency you encounter with any interface to some extent) seems to be the main potential sticking point - not CPU/performance. (Anecdotally I’ve heard about people loading dozens of devices on different tracks and having no issues). This kinda makes sense considering Ableton devices are generally CPU-efficient and optimized for the software. Meanwhile, VST’s can get more intense, but those aren’t currently available on Standalone. (Not sure about MFL devices., which ostensibly should be usable on Standalone).
I’m expecting some real hassle with my Standalone for the desired use case (basically replacing my Octatrack as a performance mixer), but betting on Ableton optimizing the latency and/or adding MIDI delay. Will update along the way!