When the iPad was introduced, most pundits opined that it might be nice for reading online, but that it would never be useful for creating content, much less doing real work. And yet, here we are, a short while later, with 10 meaningful iPad apps for developers, ranging from hardcore development environments to remote consoles.
Without an external keyboard (of which there are many for sale) you lose screen space to the soft keyboard when entering text, though using the iPad in Portrait mode minimizes the amount of space you lose. The good news about using the on-screen keyboard with several of the apps listed is that the apps provide worthwhile enhancements, such as the onscreen equivalent of a TrackPoint joystick.
see slide show at: 10 iPad apps developers will love | ITworld.