iPad's Identity Crisis Can Apple Finally Let It Be a Mac?

The iPad Is Almost a Mac Now. Time to Finish the Job

What's a computer? It's whatever helps you get your work done efficiently and effectively. While new ideas for what computers can be are always welcome, the traditional work tools – generally a PC or Mac – still reign supreme for many. When traveling, an iPad offers convenience, but it's never quite the same, often necessitating bringing both. This duality has been Apple's narrative for years with iPads and Macs.

Apple has maintained that the platforms will never merge. Do you remember the stage announcement back in 2018 stating that very thing? But times change and so do needs and capabilities.

Now, it feels like the merge is on the horizon. The latest iPad Pro feels like the Mac many users have wanted in another form. And with iPadOS evolving, the software is catching up fast. It's time to push it further.

iPadOS 26: A Step Towards Convergence

iPadOS 26 is a clear indicator that the integration is well underway. For those adventurous enough to explore the developer beta, you'll find a more Mac-like experience taking shape. A public beta is anticipated this summer, preceding the full release in the fall – a version worth waiting for before diving in.

This year at WWDC, Apple repeatedly described iPadOS 26 as "Mac-like," a stark contrast to past conversations that kept Macs and iPads distinctly separate. The added features are compelling:

• Support for Multiple Windows: Enhanced multitasking capabilities.
• A Mouse Pointer That's an Arrow: A more familiar and precise interaction.
• Menu Bars: Bringing a classic Mac feature to the iPad.
• Preview App: Showing files in a Mac-like manner for easy access.
• Folders: Organized much like a Mac, improving file management.

These enhancements, particularly with an attached trackpad and keyboard, significantly boost the iPad's flexibility, multitasking prowess, and ability to handle serious work effectively.

The Uncanny Valley of Almost

The growing concern is that the iPad is still *not* a Mac. When something approaches an expectation without fully delivering, it enters a zone ripe for disappointment. Will using the latest iPadOS 26 feel seamless, or will there be jarring moments where the OS diverges from the Mac experience? The potential for these "uncanny valley" moments is real.

The iPad Pro with the developer beta of iPadOS 26 is already getting so much closer to being a Mac. Scott Stein/CNET

The Hardware is Ready, the Software Needs to Catch Up

Most iPads and Macs now share the same powerful M-series hardware and compatible keyboards and trackpads. The only significant barrier preventing an iPad from functioning as a Mac is Apple's decision to maintain functional software differences. While transforming a Mac into an iPad (requiring a touchscreen and Pencil support) presents more complexity, the reverse should be straightforward.

The challenge lies in achieving seamless cross-compatibility between Mac and iPad apps within a unified OS. Apple has navigated significant transitions before, such as the move from Intel to ARM-based hardware. Although the hardware is now aligned, the original purposes of the apps differ. However...

Convergence is Inevitable

Macs, iPads, iPhones, and the entire Apple ecosystem are converging in visual design, notifications, and widgets. While complete uniformity isn't the goal, the overlap between iPads and MacBooks—two portable devices—is becoming substantial.

iPad Pro vs MacBook Air side by side in 2024. The convergence is clearly already here. Numi Prasarn/CNET

The simplicity of the basic iPad experience should be preserved, with the option to trigger a multi-windowed "work mode." But this "work mode" shouldn't just approximate a Mac; it should *become* one. Imagine leaving your laptop behind, with Pro models and certain MacBooks converging into a single, powerful device.

This convergence will also be critical for future product strategies. If Apple envisions essential, lightweight connected glasses or Vision headsets, streamlining the product line is essential. Envision carrying an iPad-slash-MacBook with Vision glasses – a far more practical scenario than carrying separate iPads, Macs, and Vision headsets. Something has to give.

Patience and Anticipation

The wait for these changes has been long, but the recent advancements are encouraging. However, the question remains: why can't iPad Pros also be Macs? Apple's recent steps inspire confidence, but it seems a little more patience is still required.

The journey toward a truly unified iPad and Mac experience is nearing its end. The hardware is there, the initial software groundwork has been laid, and the potential benefits are immense. It's time for Apple to take the final leap and deliver the ultimate portable computing device. The future awaits!

Tags: computers, PC, Mac, iPad, Apple, MacOS, iOS, software, iPad Pro, merge, iPadOS 26

Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/the-ipad-is-almost-a-mac-computer-now-time-to-finish-the-job/