Ask HN: Does Anyone Write Code With an iPad?

I tried using just the iPad and the on-screen keyboard took up too much of the screen for my liking. Bought an Apple Bluetooth keyboard - it was better, but function keys, etc are not fully supported. Eventually went back to using a MacBook Pro. For me having a keyboard; not having to prop up the iPad; and being able to function without a wireless broadband connection dropping out, slowing down is a more productive experience. And ... I really prefer to have bigger screen. Sometimes use the iPad in a Logitech dock as a second screen with AirDisplay - now that is convenient - but not on the road.

In your situation I would seriously consider getting a MacBook Air.

I've done it before, but it kinda sucks without an external keyboard. Even then, not optimal - having to switch between apps to view docs or test in a browser is kind of a pain.

Just get a computer.

I've attempted it. I use Panic's Prompt to SSH back into one of my machines and program from there. I do not have an external keyboard for the iPad, but using the on-screen keyboard is just a pain. You have to think how you are going to be switching between the different on-screen keyboards to find very frequent used keys like brackets, parens, semicolon, etc. This works in a pinch but not for long periods of time.

With having an external keyboard it's another pain to reach up and touch your screen to switch apps. Just stick with a laptop, you will thank yourself in the end.

Here is that original blog: http://yieldthought.com/post/12239282034/swapped-my-macbook-...

Would be interesting to know if he is still happy with the arrangement

Writing code on an iPad would require an external keyboard and a propping mechanism - both of which have their problems.

When working with an iPad half the keys on the external keyboard are useless. And it just so happens that these 'useless' keys are the ones we hit a lot while programming.

The propping mechanism should be sturdy enough to not fall over since tasks such as alt-tabbing now require that you reach over and touch the screen, which should ideally be situated at a distance of 20inches from your eyes when typing. Shuffling between touch gesturing and typing wastes a lot of time.

For these reasons, an iPad would make a pathetic medium for coding. However, there was a link recently to an iPad IDE which focused on trying to get a lot of work done with as little typing as possible. I haven't tried it out yet, so can't comment on how useful that would be.

I've tried. It just never goes well. I tried remotely accessing my desktop at home. nope. tried all the text editors on the iPad. Nope.

every attempt to code on it has ended in me saying "next time I'm buying a macbook".

so no, do not try. you want a laptop.

I've tried coding on my webOS... thing.

It's relatively easy but I don't think the tools are there yet. You'll definitely be more productive with an actual keyboard.

i don't have an iPad, never even touched one:(