Is working via RDP on iPad feasible?

[d000hg]

I just managed to get my iPad successfully logged into a remote Windows box through VPN (SonicWall) and RDP. The visual quality is pretty great and it didn't seem too sluggish but the RDP client I was using made lack of keyboard.mouse even more of a problem than it could've been - you had to select mouse mode and drag a pointer around.

I've never done this before but I may want to work at my mother's house if I visit her for a week, and it's an alternative to getting a laptop sorted out. I already have iPad -> VGA/HMDI cables and she has a monitor. And perhaps I can get a bluetooth keyboard or a docking station which will let me plug in a real mouse & keyboard?

Can anyone comment on how feasible this all sounds, just to use the iPad as a thin-client and still work productively - i.e. as close to a normal PC experience as possible? Does the RDP client I use make a big difference or are they all much of a muchness - I tried a free one just to test the VPN was working.

[Sysman]

Dunno about the software side of things but I have found doing command line stuff or general text bashing with my iPad mini a much better experience with a Bluetooth keyboard.

I got a Logitech one which doubles up as a cover and serves as a stand as well. It did take a bit of setting up, so hit the website for the exact model you have and grab the Users Guide before you start.

Mine was about fifty quid.

[SimonMac]

I frequently use iPad to VNC back to my server at home via a VPN, not perfect but its OK, typing anything can be a PITA with the onscreen keyboard though, but if you have a bluetooth keyboard that removes that issue

[d000hg]

Do special keys like Windows/⌘ get sent through RDP, avoiding distraction of using the keyboard normally?

As I said my RDP client made touch a big PITA. Any recommendations on ones that let you just drag around, tap and touble-tap, etc?

[Unix]

Do special keys like Windows/⌘ get sent through RDP, avoiding distraction of using the keyboard normally?

As I said my RDP client made touch a big PITA. Any recommendations on ones that let you just drag around, tap and touble-tap, etc?

A Surface Pro

HTH

[d000hg]

A Surface Pro

HTH

I was thinking how easy that would make things, but it's rather pricey just for a week especially since it wouldn't really meet all my tablet needs

I'd love one if I had the money to throw away or a customer who needed software developing for one.

[Unix]

I was thinking how easy that would make things, but it's rather pricey just for a week especially since it wouldn't really meet all my tablet needs

I'd love one if I had the money to throw away or a customer who needed software developing for one.

Yeah and there is a bigger one on the way which would be a laptop/desktop replacement. I think in a few years I will replace al my laptops/desktops with a couple of of these larger Surface Pro's with docking station.

[d000hg]

Apart from the price it's not an unattractive proposition. Technically the new models are pretty impressive - probably faster than my current dev desktop!

[minestrone]

You could get a cheap surface, there is now an official microsoft remote desktop app on the store. I installed it on my phone but not tried it yet.

I think it would work well with a cheap surface.

[d000hg]

A Pro, or a RT one? The biggest benefit of a Surface would be you can plug in a mouse, which iPad appears not to support other than through ugly hacks.

Maybe I should widen this question - "what's the cheapest tablet setup to get a proper RDP-based thin client supporting keyboard and mouse"?