All that matters is the end result.
I know that the ASR-10 is the main beat machine behind the Neptunes. I love its' gritty, 12-bit sound. (Is it 12-bit? I can't remember.) Personally, I never liked the ASR I had... to each their own.
Besides, you can downsample to 12-bit and emulate vintage filters in just about any audio editing program.
I have a laptop and a Korg PadKontrol and I can crank out beats more fluidly than I ever could with traditional "hardware."
Also, is it just me or does it seem like half the people on these forums are the kinds of douchebags you'd see wearing t-shirts down to their knees, with flat-billed hats and Timberlands? I hate mainstream rap.