The iPad Is Almost a Mac — Now Apple Just Needs to Finish the Job
Tech > Computing
Commentary: The iPad is more like a Mac than ever. That’s a good thing — but it’s not enough. It’s time Apple fully merges the two.
Apple is edging closer to turning the iPad into a full-blown Mac — and I couldn’t be happier. But we’re not there yet, and it’s time to close the gap completely.
Let’s be honest: a computer is whatever gets the job done. I love fresh takes on how we interact with tech, but when it comes to getting work done, I still rely on a Mac or PC. While the iPad is great for travel, I still often carry a laptop — because the iPad, as it stands, isn’t quite enough.
Apple has long walked a fine line: promoting both the iPad and Mac while insisting they’re fundamentally different. I remember Apple’s 2018 keynote, clearly stating they would never merge. Back then, I argued that macOS and iOS should combine. That idea has only grown stronger.
Fast forward to today, and Apple is playing the long game — something it's known for. But that future is starting to arrive. The latest iPad Pro nearly became the Mac I’ve always wanted — if only the software could match the hardware. Now, with iPadOS 26, we’re inching closer than ever before.
iPadOS 26: The Most Mac-Like Yet
With the release of iPadOS 26 (developer beta out now, public beta coming this summer), Apple is blurring the lines more than ever. At WWDC 2025, Apple repeatedly used the term Mac-like to describe the iPad’s new features — a notable shift in tone.
Key additions include:
- Support for more resizable windows
- A traditional arrow mouse pointer (replacing the oversized circle)
- A new Preview app that behaves just like the Mac version
- Mac-style folders and menu bars
When paired with a keyboard and trackpad, the iPad finally feels like a viable productivity machine — flexible, intuitive, and capable of multitasking at a level we’ve never seen before on iPad.
But as much as I appreciate the progress, the iPad still isn’t a Mac. And that near-but-not-quite experience can be frustrating. I’m waiting for the moment when I hit a wall — when I try to do something I could do on a Mac, but can’t on the iPad. That’s the problem with “almost.”
Apple, You're So Close — Now Take the Final Step
iPads and Macs already share the same Apple Silicon chips. Their accessories — like keyboards and trackpads — feel nearly identical. So why not let the iPad truly be a Mac?
The only reason seems to be a software distinction Apple is choosing to maintain. Sure, turning a Mac into a full-fledged iPad would require more work — including touchscreen and Pencil support — but the reverse path (iPad becoming Mac) seems well within reach.
Unifying Mac and iPad apps won’t be easy. But Apple has done this before — from PowerPC to Intel, and then Intel to Apple Silicon. At least now the hardware is the same; it's just the software mission that’s lagging.
And the missions are converging. Apple’s platforms — iPad, Mac, iPhone — are growing more alike by the day, with shared design language like Liquid Glass, and unified widgets and notification systems. I’m not asking for every device to function identically. But when it comes to two portable productivity tools like the iPad Pro and MacBook Air, the overlap is already overwhelming.
Simplicity Doesn’t Have to Be a Limitation
I’m not suggesting Apple abandon the simplicity that makes the iPad appealing. Let the basic iPad experience stay as-is — intuitive, casual, and fun. But when users plug in a Magic Keyboard or jump into Stage Manager, they should be able to unlock a full Mac-like experience. Not just a close imitation — the real thing.
Why keep carrying a laptop and a tablet when a single hybrid device could do it all?
The Bigger Picture: Apple's Future Depends on Convergence
There’s another reason Apple may need to merge iPads and Macs sooner rather than later: the future of computing. If devices like Vision Pro or lightweight AR glasses become mainstream, users won’t want to juggle three or four separate Apple devices. Something will need to go — and the line between iPad and Mac is the most logical one to blur.
I’ve been waiting for this shift for over a decade. I’ve written about it over and over through the years. And while I’m excited by how far the iPad has come, I’m still left wondering: why can’t my iPad Pro just be a Mac?
Apple is closer than ever to answering that question — and hopefully, answering it the way many of us have long hoped.
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