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Tablet as Tool

Appreciating iPad Pro: A Different Perspective

May 8, 2023
Discover the hidden advantages of the iPad Pro in this insightful blog post, offering tips and personal experiences to help you maximise the tablet's potential and redefine your workflow.

The iPad Pro's utility has sparked much debate recently. Some users argue it's a disappointment, failing to meet expectations set by traditional laptops. However, there are less obvious benefits to the iPad worth considering. This blog post delves into these advantages and shares insights into the personal experience of using an iPad Pro.

Using the reMarkable paper tablet

Read, write, think and repeat

May 31, 2021
The paper-like display makes you forget about reMarkable's digital innards, working with this tablet is therefore quite remarkable!

This month I received my reMarkable paper tablet and ever since I have been using it extensively: reading, writing and thinking. The paper-like display makes you forget about its digital innards. Read along for my thoughts.

Abandoning my own tablet OS

Why I moved back to iPad and the Mac

Jan. 14, 2021
After a year of experimenting with Debian GNU/Linux on a Surface Go 2 I have returned to iPad Pro and the Mac.

The past year I have been experimenting with creating my own tablet operating system using Debian GNU/Linux and the i3 window manager on a Microsoft Surface Go 2 with LTE. After months of intense use I have now decided to abandon the experiment to move back to iPad Pro and the Mac. Read along to find out why.

Talking tablets: what makes a great tablet?

Working with Microsoft Surface Pro X

Apr. 14, 2020
Over the past few weeks I worked with Microsoft Surface Pro X to see if it is any good, can it be your main computer?

Earlier this year Microsoft released their brand new Surface Pro X tablet computer, in many ways this is a forward thinking device. As I like working with tablets I wondered what exactly makes a great tablet? Is Surface Pro X any good? Read along to find out.

Business in a bag

Using a waterproof backpack to fit my gear

Dec. 22, 2018
After much testing I have selected a bag and set of cases to fit my entire business, wherever I go.

Over the past few months I have been testing different bags and cases to fit everything I need to run my business. As I commute by bike, the bag needs to be waterproof. The problem with waterproof gear is that it is usually very bulky. I need my gear to be both portable and representative, a challenge worth a blog post!

Tablet as main computer

Comparing the Microsoft Surface Pro to iPad Pro

Mar. 7, 2018
I have been using a tablet as my main computer for quite some time now. In this blog post I share you my experience on using Surface Pro and iPad Pro to get my work done.

For the past few weeks I have been using the Microsoft Surface Pro as my main computer. It's a modern tablet computer that can be used as laptop with the type cover. With the Surface Pen, it's a versatile PC that works in a lot of different ways. Time to find out if it's any good and how it compares to my other tablet computer, iPad Pro.

The day I killed my LAN

Turned off my local network and went 4G only

July 31, 2017
I killed my office LAN and went 4G only. Saves a lot of clutter, energy and money.

Today I called my provider to quit my office's ADSL internet subscription, I don't need it anymore. I have turned off my local area network and switched my workflow onto mobile internet only. The simplicity and savings actually surprised me so much, that I made blog post for it.

iPad Pro next to my primary machine

Using it with Apple Pencil as a creative powerhouse

Jan. 30, 2017
Using iPad Pro with Apple Pencil next to my computer to form a create powerhouse

I wanted see if I can find something better than my old fashioned pencil and paper that I use for designing software as professional developer. I knew iPad Pro from my test last summer, figuring out if it could replace my primary development machine. While it may not be able to completely replace my thrustworthy ThinkPad, it turned out to be a totally different story when it comes to paper.

iPad Pro as primary computer

testing iOS as primairy development platform

Aug. 15, 2016
Is the time right to use an iPad as primary development platform to get some real work done?

The lack of physical clutter, distracting branding, or blinking LED's makes the iPad Pro a textbook example of minimal design. My despiction of distraction explains my interest in using the iPad Pro as only computer to test if it is up to the task. Is Apple's latest effort on iOS enough to enable it to do serious development work?

All blog posts
When everything comes together there is magic: WillemOS doing things no iPad can do
When everything comes together there is magic: WillemOS doing things no iPad can do
Programming on iPad Pro using Blink, tmux and VIM over Mosh (in a remote VPS)
Programming on iPad Pro using Blink, tmux and VIM over Mosh (in a remote VPS)
You know you're digital pen is lacking trust if you grab for old fashioned pencil and paper...
You know you're digital pen is lacking trust if you grab for old fashioned pencil and paper...
All I need to do my business - really!
All I need to do my business - really!
Unpacking Surface Pro X
Unpacking Surface Pro X
Surface Pro X does many things very well - it makes the perfect case to be your only computer
Surface Pro X does many things very well - it makes the perfect case to be your only computer
The Surface Slim Pen is about the same size as a conventional pen, slightly smaller then Apple Pencil
The Surface Slim Pen is about the same size as a conventional pen, slightly smaller then Apple Pencil
Multiply the touch/swipe muscle memory if your tablet behaves the same as your phone
Multiply the touch/swipe muscle memory if your tablet behaves the same as your phone
A plant, a laptop and some coffee - the joy of a simple system that works!
A plant, a laptop and some coffee - the joy of a simple system that works!
Surface Pro X with its keyboard is just like a laptop
Surface Pro X with its keyboard is just like a laptop
No clutter, just content.
No clutter, just content.
Adjustable straps without loose ends.
Adjustable straps without loose ends.
Annotating almost anything in-context (without leaving the app) is very powerful if you ever have to communicate an idea or suggestion
Annotating almost anything in-context (without leaving the app) is very powerful if you ever have to communicate an idea or suggestion
Pen responsiveness is great
Pen responsiveness is great
Charging the iPhone while inside the wallet
Charging the iPhone while inside the wallet
WillemOS in optima forma: Debian GNU/Linux on Surface GO 2
WillemOS in optima forma: Debian GNU/Linux on Surface GO 2
Inspect Browser on iPad provides essential debugging and inspection functionalities for web apps
Inspect Browser on iPad provides essential debugging and inspection functionalities for web apps
reMarkable's party trick: better paper, better thinking
reMarkable's party trick: better paper, better thinking

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