The iPad has always been an intriguing device—starting its life in 2010 as what many called a giant iPhone that couldn’t make phone calls. Over the years, it’s gained a more laptop-like appearance, but it has never quite lived up to the expectations of actually doing “laptop work.”
With the upcoming iPadOS 26, Apple is inching closer to transforming the iPad into a full Mac-like experience. But is it enough?
The Evolution of the iPad
| Year | Key Development | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Initial Launch | Marketed as a media consumption device |
| 2015 | Apple Pencil | Introduced creativity tools |
| 2023 | M2 iPad | Outperformed some MacBooks in hardware |
| 2025 | iPadOS 26 | Introduces Mac-like features |
Despite all these enhancements, the iPad is still not a MacBook replacement. Why?
What iPadOS 26 Brings to the Table
The upcoming iPadOS 26 update promises a more Mac-like experience with:
- Multiple open windows
- Menu bar and cursor support
- A real file management system
- Background task handling
- Preview app integration
“These are the tools and the interface that we associate with getting work done.”
It’s exciting—but not enough.
What’s Still Missing?
Despite all this, Apple continues to hold the iPad back from its full potential. It’s still chained to iOS roots. This limits its usefulness in workplace or academic environments that rely on full macOS apps.
The Core Problems
- iPad apps are touch-focused
- Mac apps are not compatible
- You can’t run full macOS programs
- Accessory and display support is limited
- No user profiles—iPad is still a single-user device
The One Change Apple Needs to Make
CNET’s Scott Stein, a long-time iPad reviewer, offers a compelling solution:
“Press a button here and have it turn into a Mac. Then you press that button, and then it goes back to being an iPad.”
This “mode switch” could finally merge the iPad and Mac experience. After all, both devices now share:
- Similar Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, etc.)
- Comparable RAM and performance
- Shared ecosystem and software base
So why can’t the apps be cross-compatible?
Key Takeaways
| Point | Insight |
|---|---|
| iPad is powerful enough | Hardware isn’t the limitation—software is |
| Needs Mac mode toggle | A simple switch could change everything |
| iPadOS is improving | But it’s not fully there yet |
| Cross-platform apps | Would unify iPad and MacBook use cases |
A Missed Opportunity?
Apple once released a marketing video asking:
The irony? That very question upset people who knew full well that an iPad isn’t one—yet. iPadOS 26 is a step in the right direction, but if Apple truly wants the iPad to dominate the Mac, it must fully embrace the hybrid vision.
Final Thoughts
The iPad could dominate the Mac—if Apple lets it. A mode-switch button, universal app compatibility, and full macOS experience could make the iPad a true laptop replacement.
Let us know in the comments. And stay tuned for more from One More Thing.