undefined | Better HN

0 pointsmunk-a6y ago0 comments

I'm quite confused why you'd pursue attempting to use an iPad for development work. As someone who hates laptop-style thin keyboards I could justify it by the fact that carrying around a laptop and a keyboard feels more silly than an iPad and a keyboard - but the weight difference is pretty negligible and the software running on a laptop just has so much more utility for task switching (checking the kanban - making sure the VPN is up and running - quickly tabbing to chat to make sure you can disregard an @ mention) ... all these, on an iPad, require fully backing out with clunky key-presses to activate a very limited app switcher.

0 comments

3 comments · 2 top-level

mbreese6y ago· 1 in thread

I’ve tried the iPad as a workstation off and on for many years (I had an original iPad). While I’ve never quite gotten it to work for me, I can still see the appeal. And for exactly the reason you state.

A full laptop is much better at task switching.

But when I’m working, and in a zone, task switching is the last thing I want to do. I want a distraction free workspace without widgets and notifications. On the iPad, this is so much easier to achieve. And if you have to change apps (and you have a keyboard), the app switcher is the same as on a Mac... cmd-tab still works.

gregjor6y ago

I prefer to eliminate the task switching as much as possible rather than optimize it. I mainly use a Chromebook, always in full screen with one app window. I can switch windows with a keystroke. I don't need or want a bunch of stuff cluttering the screen.

gregjor6y ago

I don't know why finding that other people have different work patterns and preferences would confuse you. I'm not "attempting" to use an iPad -- I've used an iPad and a Chromebook (currently Pixel Slate, also a tablet) for five years professionally. I used a MacBook before that. I'm old enough to remember hauling a VT-100 and an acoustic modem home to work on weekends a long time ago. I'm also old enough to remember people saying no professional programmer could use a personal computer, or a laptop.

I don't use Kanban or constantly switch to chat. I can see if my VPN is running by looking at an icon at the top of the iPad screen. I don't constantly task switch while working.

It has nothing to do with weight or feeling silly. I want to concentrate on one thing at a time, and I want a portable setup for working because I travel a lot.

An iPad developer setup won't work for everyone, but for the people it does work for it can work very well. 90% of my programming is done over ssh to remote servers, and the iPad can do that perfectly. The rest of my time is dealing with email, also fine on an iPad, or Slack, or reviewing PRs, which I can do right on my iPad.

Other developers have different requirements.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

3 comments · 2 top-level

mbreese6y ago· 1 in thread

A full laptop is much better at task switching.

gregjor6y ago

I don't use Kanban or constantly switch to chat. I can see if my VPN is running by looking at an icon at the top of the iPad screen. I don't constantly task switch while working.

It has nothing to do with weight or feeling silly. I want to concentrate on one thing at a time, and I want a portable setup for working because I travel a lot.

Other developers have different requirements.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse