I'm about to start my Computer Science and Engineering degree in college, and I already own an iPad Air M2. It has a keyboard and an Apple Pencil Pro, but I'm not in a position to buy a new laptop. My main concern is how to effectively use my iPad instead of a laptop, especially since I need to code in Java and Python for my classes. I've looked into some web-based IDEs like Replit and Onecompiler, but they have their downsides. I've also explored several apps on the App Store, but many of them require payment for editing features. Are there any good free alternatives for coding, or if not, could anyone recommend a solid app that could meet my needs? I'm looking for something that can keep up with my classmates who likely have Macs or Windows laptops and won't hold me back in terms of features.
4 Answers
To be honest, it's tough to replace a full laptop with an iPad for serious software development. You might find it useful for note-taking, but you’ll likely struggle with more complex projects and libraries required for your classes. If your school has a computer lab, that’s your best bet for heavy coding. You could also try attending a few classes before deciding, just to see what resources are available.
Yeah, the computer labs can be a lifesaver. I used them a lot in my first year!
Honestly, if you can get a used laptop for a reasonable price, go for it. You need something a bit more powerful than an iPad for coding, especially for Java and Python. You can find decent MacBooks or ThinkPads for around $300 or so. Trust me, investing in a laptop will make your life much easier as a CS student.
Absolutely! I got a refurbished ThinkPad for like 250 bucks, and it handles everything just fine.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll start looking around.
There are ways to code using your iPad, like using GitHub Codespaces or remote desktop to access a more powerful machine. But those setups can be tricky. If you have a spare Windows PC, you could use it remotely, but keep in mind it has to have decent specs. Otherwise, a budget laptop is still your best bet for smoother coding experience.
Definitely! I’ll see what I can do about getting a second-hand laptop.
Got it! Remote access could work too, but I’d prefer a laptop for convenience.
If you want to stick with your iPad for now, check out some coding apps like Pythonista or even Juno for Jupyter notebooks. They have limitations but can be handy for practice. Still, I wouldn't rely on it for all your class assignments—definitely try to find a way to get a laptop eventually.
Those apps can be pretty useful for quick coding tasks!
I’ll explore those apps and see how they work for me. Thanks!
That sounds like a plan. I’ll check out the labs for sure.