iPad Pro My thoughts on all of the iPad Pro Criticisms (Price, File System, Keyboard Folio, etc..)

[secretk]

Depending on how and what you develop, the iPad may actually be suitable for programming. It's fine if you live in the terminal doing backend or web stuff. If however you create native GUIs (like Xcode-dependent ones) then you need a traditional OS.

Backend Developer here and I need a traditional OS too. I found some pages in Internet on setting up environment for Developers, but nothing for Java. On top of it we have secure setup at work so me accessing work code from the iPad is impossible. First of all none of this accessible via WIFI. Only via wired connection currently. And even if it was via WIFI, it would be only via our company laptops using VPN to access our desktop computers.

I'm a programmer and switched from a 12-inch MacBook to the 11-inch iPad Pro and expected it to be a challenge, and that it would be a matter of whether the tradeoffs would be worthwhile or not. But it totally surprised me positively. Now 1.5 month in and not looking back! Doing full-time programming at ease. Once I adapted to the contraints of iOS, those actually turned out to be liberating: worry-free power management, smooth task-switching, clutter-free file management, cable-free handling, providing eye-soothing 120Hz engaging entertainment any time I need rest, all in a super-compact package. The Smart Keyboard Folio is awesome for me. I've been a fan of the low-effort actuation of the 12-inch MacBook and this takes it a step further, love the texture and dust/crap protection which is one less worry/recurring maintenance on my mind. The only thing I miss is the ability to pin an app to keep active in the background while hidden (and put the others to sleep by default like it's done now). I currently have to put the app in a split to keep it active.

Apps I use:

• Blink: thin client to mosh+ssh into a Linux VM on my desktop PC (or Termux ssh server in my phone to work offline)
• tmux + vim: my IDE -- programming in Ruby, Go and Crystal
• iSH: local Linux env with x86 emulation for rsync-ing files in and lightweight scripts, then I export those files to other apps (mainly VLC) with Files
• Pythonista: for playing with Python (still learning); superbly integrated into iOS; the TestFlight version brings a lot of awesome new features and integrations -- love StaSH too

So awesome that you found a setup that works for you. 11 inch screen would be small for me to use. I use two 23 inch monitors at work. I guess for you it was not that different comparing it to 12 inch laptop. Do you put the iPad on some stand? I find the screen too small to work with it like a regular laptop. It causes neck strain for me. For me personally (and I am super on the short side) anything below 14 inch causes neck and back pain when used as a regular laptop. Unless of course I could just add two monitors and not use the original device's screen.