We use PC laptops, MacBooks and Chromebooks exclusively for various reasons. Most teams I see that make it beyond regionals and state use one of those three, not saying that is a requirement to do so though. One of our teams does blocks coding and the other does Python on custom firmware (PyBricks.)
The students will use their school issued Chromebooks for testing programs initially and then migrate to a single PC laptop/Mac device for the competition robot. The following are a few reasons why we do not use iPads.
- It's easier to backup your programs to an external device such as a USB drive. The single most important reason in my mind, nothing like the iPad cache getting wiped and losing your programs...
**It's also worth noting that if you use the browser app and someone clears the browser cache it will wipe all your programs unless you export them to another
- Typing is way easier than any touch screen. If you are looking for efficient coding and saving time, stray away from touchscreens entirely.
- You can charge your robot as you program if you plug it into your laptop, we use a long flimsy USB. Not a big reason but still has saved us time if they get into a long coding session where the robot needs to stay at optimum voltage.
**I have the team stay above 88%(7.3V) battery at all times. The motors operate at a nominal 7.3V, if you go below that accuracy and motor strength are not consistent. A fully charged battery is ~8.3V
- Bluetooth is just as easy on a laptop as any iPad
- It always seems like the Spike application for PCs gets updated before iPads
I like the convenience of being able to carry around an iPad but it's just as easy to do so with a laptop, MacBook or chromebook. If you are looking for a budget device then you could go Chromebook and use the online Spike App but it's just not as robust as the desktop application.
Thanks,
Alex Leonard