4 ms·

Kudos for that. There must be some feeling of accomplishment turning in work done on a toy computer, designed for eight year old kids and with no discernible CP

Kudos for that. There must be some feeling of accomplishment turning in work done on a toy computer, designed for eight year old kids and with no discernible CPU. I have slipped into working almost exclusively on a Chromebook for a pet project that is going rather well. I have this realisation that I have actually completed something without getting off the sofa. The 'dim' screen is not a problem, the keyboard is actually a complete joy compared to my posh computer. I did put an IDE (phpStorm) on it (paid for) but ended up getting so much done just in terminal windows. It has enough '.ssh/' to make it great for that. Maybe like 'intel inside' there needs to be a 'Built on a Chromebook' quality standard out there.

prox 4y ago
I have been using an iPad as a remote workstation. Powerful enough, some great apps and a small package to carry around.
- farmin 4y ago
  What apps do you use on ipad for development?
  - davidbanham 4y ago
    I use Blink to mosh in to a server where I do my work through tmux, vim, etc. I use Safari to view the stuff I’m building. There’s a Safari dev tools plugin which sucks compared to Firefox dev tools but it’s okay in a pinch. I use NoMachine to remote into the graphical desktop environment of the server on the rare occasion I need to use a real browser.
    - mark_l_watson 4y ago
      I really liked Blink, paid for it, and then was forced to buy it again when they updated it, or get advertisements to upgrade. Really clumsy and annoying since the earlier version did everything I needed. I went back to just using Prompt app, with tmux on remote servers.
      - davidbanham 4y ago
        They give you the new app for free if you paid for the old one now. Not sure if that's something they added later on but it's a thing now.
    - farmin 4y ago
      That's cool. Didn't know Safari had dev tools on ipad. I did try blink. I wanted to get vscode running via SSH plugin from a vps but didn't have patience to figure it out. Then I realised I should just use my laptop.
      - prox 4y ago
        You also have various dev tools as apps. What’s also nice is to use a VNC to get the power of my workstation when I am away. Another big selling point is the long battery life.
        farmin 4y ago
        The vnc thing rocks. I've installed uis on cheap remote dedicated servers. I would do my satellite imagery exploratory work via VNC that way since up about 2018 internet was a big problem here. In server could download 10gb imagery at super speeds and play around qgis. Rented server generally faster than my laptop too and somehow only $49/month. Tight vnc is great at holding connection and low bandwidth. I wonder though on vnc via ipad, how do you use mouse? I imagine touch support would be an issue in many desktop applications.
        neurostimulant 4y ago
        Recent version of iPadOS supports bluetooth mouse now: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211008 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211008
        farmin 4y ago
        Ok that changes things. I just saw too some keyboard/case combos have touch pads below the keyboard. Anyone have any recommendations?
        davidbanham 4y ago
        I really like the Logitech Slim Folio case with a separate small bluetooth mouse for when I need it. 98% of the time the trackpad would just be taking up space that I'd rather fill with keyboard. The times I do need a mouse, I probably want a proper mouse rather than a trackpad. The different remote desktop apps (VNC, Nomachine, etc) have ways to translate touch events into mouse pointer movements/clicks. Not what you'd want to use for a serious CAD session, but fine for little things here and there to save pulling out the mouse.
- agraddy 4y ago
  I've debated what I want to use for my next device. I've definitely considered getting an iPad as an option.
  - mark_l_watson 4y ago
    With iPadOS 26, StageManager, and when home plugging into a large monitor and using a Bluetooth mouse, this is indeed possible.
agraddy 4y ago
I like to work outside at different parks (in the shade under a covering) and haven't noticed any "dim" screen issues. One of the nice things about working with an under-powered system is that you know any users who use what you build probably are viewing it with a device that has more power.

prox 4y ago

I have been using an iPad as a remote workstation. Powerful enough, some great apps and a small package to carry around.

farmin 4y ago
What apps do you use on ipad for development?
- davidbanham 4y ago
  I use Blink to mosh in to a server where I do my work through tmux, vim, etc. I use Safari to view the stuff I’m building. There’s a Safari dev tools plugin which sucks compared to Firefox dev tools but it’s okay in a pinch. I use NoMachine to remote into the graphical desktop environment of the server on the rare occasion I need to use a real browser.
  - mark_l_watson 4y ago
    I really liked Blink, paid for it, and then was forced to buy it again when they updated it, or get advertisements to upgrade. Really clumsy and annoying since the earlier version did everything I needed. I went back to just using Prompt app, with tmux on remote servers.
    - davidbanham 4y ago
      They give you the new app for free if you paid for the old one now. Not sure if that's something they added later on but it's a thing now.
  - farmin 4y ago
    That's cool. Didn't know Safari had dev tools on ipad. I did try blink. I wanted to get vscode running via SSH plugin from a vps but didn't have patience to figure it out. Then I realised I should just use my laptop.
    - prox 4y ago
      You also have various dev tools as apps. What’s also nice is to use a VNC to get the power of my workstation when I am away. Another big selling point is the long battery life.
      - farmin 4y ago
        The vnc thing rocks. I've installed uis on cheap remote dedicated servers. I would do my satellite imagery exploratory work via VNC that way since up about 2018 internet was a big problem here. In server could download 10gb imagery at super speeds and play around qgis. Rented server generally faster than my laptop too and somehow only $49/month. Tight vnc is great at holding connection and low bandwidth. I wonder though on vnc via ipad, how do you use mouse? I imagine touch support would be an issue in many desktop applications.
        neurostimulant 4y ago
        Recent version of iPadOS supports bluetooth mouse now: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211008 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211008
        farmin 4y ago
        Ok that changes things. I just saw too some keyboard/case combos have touch pads below the keyboard. Anyone have any recommendations?
        davidbanham 4y ago
        I really like the Logitech Slim Folio case with a separate small bluetooth mouse for when I need it. 98% of the time the trackpad would just be taking up space that I'd rather fill with keyboard. The times I do need a mouse, I probably want a proper mouse rather than a trackpad. The different remote desktop apps (VNC, Nomachine, etc) have ways to translate touch events into mouse pointer movements/clicks. Not what you'd want to use for a serious CAD session, but fine for little things here and there to save pulling out the mouse.
agraddy 4y ago
I've debated what I want to use for my next device. I've definitely considered getting an iPad as an option.
- mark_l_watson 4y ago
  With iPadOS 26, StageManager, and when home plugging into a large monitor and using a Bluetooth mouse, this is indeed possible.

agraddy 4y ago

I like to work outside at different parks (in the shade under a covering) and haven't noticed any "dim" screen issues. One of the nice things about working with an under-powered system is that you know any users who use what you build probably are viewing it with a device that has more power.