[LAU] Akai APC controllers - Experiences?

Hey All, I'm currently thinking about getting a "grid" style controller, something to control a live performance. Looking at the options I see the Novation Launchpad <http://www.novationmusic.com/products/midi_controllers/launchpad>, Akai APC 20 <http://www.akaipro.com/apc20>, Akai APC 40<http://www.akaipro.com/apc40> . I'm aware that the launchpad has been "converted" to linux by the great work of NightMorph (see here <https://github.com/nightmorph/launchpad>) A bit of googling / forum reading didn't get me many results on if the APC line works with Linux / if its a standard MIDI device? Very instrested in peoples experiences! Cheers, -Harry