It is a bit out of scope for this project, however, great success is being reported using iPad on the go with just a single USB-C cable connected to a Raspberry Pi both powering and supplying direct network access. Many support articles already exist but the key steps boil down to turning on Network over USB-C on the Raspberry Pi itself and the rest of the steps are just like getting Code Server running any where else.
- [General intro to Pi as an iPad accessory](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR6sDcKo3V8)
- [iPad with Pi FAQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPSlyqo5Q2Q)
- [Technical guide to perform the steps](https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/connect-a-raspberry-pi-4-to-an-ipad-pro-21-01-2020/)
> Here are my keys to success. I bought a 4" touch screen with fan included that attaches as a case to the Pi. I use the touch screen for anytime I have connection issues, otherwise I turn off the Pi screen. I gave my Pi a network name so I can easily connect at home on wifi or when on go with 1 usb-c cable that supplys both power and network connectivity. Lastly, not all usb-c cables are equal and not all will work so try different usb-c cables if you are going mad (confirm over wifi first then move to cable).
Once you have code-server accessible to your iPad a few things could help save you time:
- Use multi task mode to make code changes and see browser at the same time
- Prevents iOs background dropping an App's state if you are full screen switching between code-server and browser
- Be sure you are using the debug/terminal that is built into VS Code so that you don’t need another terminal app running
- Again, prevents switching between full screen app and losing your view to iOs background app memory management
- You should be of a mindset willing to deal and adapt with differences in having an imperfect experience, for the perceived joyful benefits of interacting with your computer in more intuitive ways
> This section is generalized opinions intended to inform fellow Apple product consumers of perceived over time changes coming down the line
The general feeling from overall Apple movements recently, is that the Mac arm processors are in fact helping support the direction of having Macs with touch screens. Many great YouTube videos of interest call out highly suggestive evidence. In the past Apple has hard declared reasons of body fatigue and such as why not to encourage nor further developments on the iPad touch experience mixed with a keyboard/mouse/trackpad. Regardless, products and software have been released further supporting just that very experience.
The iPad coding experience has been a joy for some of us that are willing to trade an imperfect experience for a uniquely effective focus driven experience. Note worthy, some of us think it's a trashy waste of time. This experience is undoubtably going to get better just by the work that can be seen by all parties, even in our own code-server attempt to make it better.
Lastly, it is note worthy that if you have decided to incorporate a Raspberry Pi into you iPad coding experience, they are Arm processors. You are perfectly lined up with the future of Macs as well.
