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I’m a physics PhD student working full time as a data scientist and although it’s possible to do all my work with an iPad (set up servers I SSH to), if I have t

I’m a physics PhD student working full time as a data scientist and although it’s possible to do all my work with an iPad (set up servers I SSH to), if I have to work on something that will take more than 30 minutes, I’d rather use my laptop. I’ve stopped trying to go on a full iPad workflow but embrace the iPad for what it is: not a laptop replacement but more of an add-on. PS did my best not to use the word “computer” for this comment.

dogma1138 5y ago
I’m curious if you don’t run any workloads locally and only do something like Google Colab, remote IDE and remote JN why after 30min would you have to switch? iPad pros have keyboard support and mouse support.
- gandalfgreybeer 5y ago
  Good question that actually made me reflect a bit. To put it short it’s primarily just personal preference (mostly hardware) and hard to shake tendencies. I’m still on the older 10.5” iPad Pro (when this breaks I’m definitely upgrading) and the keyboard is okay but I prefer a mechanical keyboard if I type more. I’ve tried connecting a Bluetooth mechanical keyboard to it but I don’t like the added layer of setting things up. Also the moment I’m working on something for a longer period, the higher the chance that I’m opening up different references etc. and juggling multiple things is easier when not on iOS. Btw thank you. Your question really made me think and when I switch devices next time I’ll probably ask myself why I’m doing it and not just because I feel like it.
- fragmede 5y ago
  The keyboard and trackpad's just a bit better integrated on the Macbook Pro, and the extra 4 inches (10" vs 14") of screen real estate, along with the overlapping window manager make it just that bit easier to use. It's a many papercuts scenario - there's not really one singular thing to point as why the macbook pro is better that the iPad doesn't have a function equivalent, but at the end of the day, it's just more comfortable to work from for extended periods. Throw in a desktop setup (full-size monitor and keyboard+mouse) and the iPad's only good for short bouts as a 3rd screen. A really good one, but still.

dogma1138 5y ago

I’m curious if you don’t run any workloads locally and only do something like Google Colab, remote IDE and remote JN why after 30min would you have to switch? iPad pros have keyboard support and mouse support.

gandalfgreybeer 5y ago
Good question that actually made me reflect a bit. To put it short it’s primarily just personal preference (mostly hardware) and hard to shake tendencies. I’m still on the older 10.5” iPad Pro (when this breaks I’m definitely upgrading) and the keyboard is okay but I prefer a mechanical keyboard if I type more. I’ve tried connecting a Bluetooth mechanical keyboard to it but I don’t like the added layer of setting things up. Also the moment I’m working on something for a longer period, the higher the chance that I’m opening up different references etc. and juggling multiple things is easier when not on iOS. Btw thank you. Your question really made me think and when I switch devices next time I’ll probably ask myself why I’m doing it and not just because I feel like it.
fragmede 5y ago
The keyboard and trackpad's just a bit better integrated on the Macbook Pro, and the extra 4 inches (10" vs 14") of screen real estate, along with the overlapping window manager make it just that bit easier to use. It's a many papercuts scenario - there's not really one singular thing to point as why the macbook pro is better that the iPad doesn't have a function equivalent, but at the end of the day, it's just more comfortable to work from for extended periods. Throw in a desktop setup (full-size monitor and keyboard+mouse) and the iPad's only good for short bouts as a 3rd screen. A really good one, but still.