Are you interested in switching to iPad primary use now with the changes introduced in iPadOS 26?

[Kal Madda]

I'm aware. It's a significant part of why I'm switching away from my iPad as my primary computer. Apple's greed blinds them and prevents them from making truly spectacular products.

I’d say this is more about security than “greed”. Apple’s giving these other web browser apps free access to their WebKit APIs, it’s not like they’re extracting licensing fees for them… But the reason all browsers on iPadOS use WebKit is ultimately to keep the platform more secure. Other web engines could possibly expose system elements directly to websites, or create other holes in security that malicious websites could exploit. WebKit is more hardened against those types of vulnerabilities. And that doesn’t even factor in the possibility of some of these browser apps maliciously creating loopholes or other such things to collect your info. Who really trusts that Google wouldn’t be baking everything they could into Chrome in order to collect as much of your private data as possible? I certainly don’t. WebKit holds these things in check.

It also has the benefits of ensuring better performance. Other browser engines would likely burn through battery runtime faster, as well as potential other issues. And just look at how much RAM Chrome hoards on other platforms.

If this was just about “greed”, then why isn’t Apple making browser apps pay for the API rather than providing it for free? Because as I said, this doesn’t fit the “greed” motive, but rather seems they genuinely are trying to ensure a greater level of security. What browser engine a browser app uses or doesn’t use doesn’t ultimately change Apple’s revenue at all. So the “greed” claims clearly seem to fall short…

Ultimately, I think it’s pretty clear this is about better system security and not just allowing browser engines to poke all kinds of holes through the security model of the platform. It’s also probably about preserving privacy and maintaining good performance as well. All of these are net positives in my opinion.

 

[Kal Madda]

Thank you. I did know about this sadly, I thought you meant using the iPad like a Wacom tablet (as a mouse , sort of) . I wished it had that sort of integration

There are several apps that do this as well. Astropad even makes an app called Astropad Slate Pen Tablet, which does exactly what you’re describing, it turns the iPad’s display black like a Wacom pad, and allows you to control the Mac like that. 👍🏻. That particular app is $20 single-purchase, but there are others out there as well. 👍🏻

 

[it wasnt me]

Can you touch the screen of a MacBook?

Yes. That's why mine is dirty.

 

[it wasnt me]

iPads are acceptable primary computers if you mostly use a computer to digest media. They are great YouTube/Invidious/<your streaming site> clients. However, if you want to contribute your own media, they're not that great anymore:

1. too large to be a good camera (there are iPhones or, you know, actual cameras to get the job done)
2. lacking a good keyboard (you could attach one, but why don't you just use a real laptop then?)
3. touch controls can never be as precise as mouse controls, so image editing is out too
   (Yes, I know that pencils exist. I agree with Steve Jobs though who dismissed the idea of a pencil when he showed the first iPhone.)

That said, the Phone app in the new iPadOS is a whole different kind of funny. If you remember Trigger Happy TV

 

[GioGiusi]

It’s a question that says “I have no idea what makes a computer a computer, and I think this is it”

It’s not. No one is using a Mac instead of an iPad purely for windowing. It goes far beyond that.

All this does is make iPad more enjoyable to use for people who already have multi app workflows in iPad.

 

[Kal Madda]

iPads are acceptable primary computers if you mostly use a computer to digest media. They are great YouTube/Invidious/<your streaming site> clients. However, if you want to contribute your own media, they're not that great anymore:

1. too large to be a good camera (there are iPhones or, you know, actual cameras to get the job done)
2. lacking a good keyboard (you could attach one, but why don't you just use a real laptop then?)
3. touch controls can never be as precise as mouse controls, so image editing is out too
   (Yes, I know that pencils exist. I agree with Steve Jobs though who dismissed the idea of a pencil when he showed the first iPhone.)

That said, the Phone app in the new iPadOS is a whole different kind of funny. If you remember Trigger Happy TV

Many of us use the iPad for far more than just “YouTube and streaming”… I use mine for professional freelance graphic design work, 3D modeling/sculpting, writing, video editing, and many other things. In my experience, it’s been great for all of those things, and I would say better than a Mac, which is why my Mac Mini sees such little use, and I don’t use a MacBook.

1. Not too large to be great for document scanning directly with the camera, and the camera is handy occasionally when you don’t want to pull out the phone. Also handy for VR/3D scanning with some apps.
2. Yes, you can add one or remove one, which is a big benefit over a standard laptop for many people. If I just want to use the iPad as a mobile notepad? Pull it off the keyboard and carry it with me like a clipboard. Want a keyboard? Magnetically attached and gives me a great keyboard experience like a laptop. I have far more versatililty.
3. Photo editing is not out by any stretch of the imagination. I use Affinity Photo to make complex edits to my photos on my iPad all the time. And Apple Pencil is very precise, and great for making edits with…

 

[GioGiusi]

secondary, maybe. book reader yes, light web browsing yes. code development. no

computer (have both desktop and laptop) iPad, iPhone make up a tool box each with primary and secondary usages

I am resistant to placing my information on a single device so regardless of apple's or other 's intentions I will continue with compartmentalization

The best way I’ve found to explain it to people who truly don’t understand is: you know all of those things you use on your iPhone and your iPad? The Mac is what is used to create all of those things.

If that doesn’t clearly paint the picture of the world of difference that exists between the Mac and everything else then nothing will.

 

[Kal Madda]

It’s a question that says “I have no idea what makes a computer a computer, and I think this is it”

It’s not. No one is using a Mac instead of an iPad purely for windowing. It goes far beyond that.

All this does is make iPad more enjoyable to use for people who already have multi app workflows in iPad.

A computer is a device that can store and process information… The iPad is a computer. It just runs a different software. And many people have already switched from Macs to iPads, and I’ve seen several well known content creators talking about moving over to the iPad now with iPadOS 26, because now the system will satisfy the needs of their workflow…

 

[Kal Madda]

The best way I’ve found to explain it to people who truly don’t understand is: you know all of those things you use on your iPhone and your iPad? The Mac is what is used to create all of those things.

If that doesn’t clearly paint the picture of the world of difference that exists between the Mac and everything else then nothing will.

That’s not exclusively true. Apps can be and are created on the iPad as well.

And many people aren’t creating apps as part of their workflow anyways…

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

It really is amusing to watch the people telling those who use their iPads for work that you can’t use iPads for work.

 

[sdwaltz]

I cannot see a circumstance where I use an iPad to completely replace my Mac, but iPadOS 26 is a game-changer.

Previously, trying to be productive on an iPad was pretty difficult and iPadOS 26 has certainly changed that - it's now much easier to be productive since it acts much closer to a desktop.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

They are shot in raw and the originals will not upload to this forum. Their size is also restrictive. The photos are fine which is all I wanted to show. The iPad Pro takes as good of photos as the iPhone does. If they are not good enough for you, that is fine by me. It works for me.

Indeed ! Interesting . I didn't think it was the case

 

[sparksd]

Well depends of course on File size but on an M1 MPB about 30-150 seconds ish… So denoise is fast with Topaz. LR is slightly slower but easily manageable on an M1 Pro. M4 would be plenty of speed. Also Gigapixel works fine on an M1Pro.

Good to know. I'd like to see LR Denoise on the iPad.

 

[JamesMay82]

This new iPad OS is encouraging but we need developers to catch up next.. Microsoft office is awful in my opinion.. a basic bank statement with no filters or formulas lags when I scroll through it on excel.

Fingers crossed I will improve as I think the iPad form factor is better than the Mac.. one thing that no one mentions is how tough they are for everyday use.. MacBook screens pick up too many micro scratches versus iPad.

 

[Andy_2341]

I use a split setup already, and the iPadOS26 update has encouraged me to use my iPad mini 6 for more again. I was using it less because multitasking for assignments was easier on my M4 Mac Mini. I was even looking at getting a portable display for the mac, but with the update that's not necessary. The iPad mini 6 has the cell connectivity I want and the ability to multitask like i sometimes need now, and that easily makes it better for me since I'm generally on the go. If I could just get proper file management on ipad, then I wouldn't need the Mac at all. I'd go to an 11" iPad Air so I'd still have an M-Series chip and be done with it . Keyboard and mouse work pretty well with the iPad when needed.

 

[Andy_2341]

one thing that no one mentions is how tough they are for everyday use.. MacBook screens pick up too many micro scratches versus iPad.

On that note, water resistance like on iphones would be a nice addition.

 

[Kal Madda]

I use a split setup already, and the iPadOS26 update has encouraged me to use my iPad mini 6 for more again. I was using it less because multitasking for assignments was easier on my M4 Mac Mini. I was even looking at getting a portable display for the mac, but with the update that's not necessary. The iPad mini 6 has the cell connectivity I want and the ability to multitask like i sometimes need now, and that easily makes it better for me since I'm generally on the go. If I could just get proper file management on ipad, then I wouldn't need the Mac at all. I'd go to an 11" iPad Air so I'd still have an M-Series chip and be done with it . Keyboard and mouse work pretty well with the iPad when needed.

What file management features would you want that aren’t in iPadOS 26, out of curiosity? I don’t know if you heard that iPadOS 26 is bringing several big features to Files. 👍🏻

 

[JamesMay82]

The other thing i want is the ability to add music directly from files app to the music app and to change meta data in the app and rename tracks and albums etc

Can that be done in the beta?

I just want it to be fully independent of the Mac.

 

[QCassidy352]

Very confusing and overlapping poll options. In polls, less is usually more.

But no, I won’t be replacing my MacBook Air with an iPad. For starters, an iPad actually costs quite a bit more—$1650 for an iPad Pro 13” (256 GB) + Magic Keyboard (Or $1218 for a 13” iPad Air + Magic Keyboard) vs $999 for a 13” MacBook Air with the same storage. Of course you can find deals on all of the above to bring the prices down, but that’s MSRP.

The other thing is that macOS is still way more flexible and powerful than iPad OS, even with the (very welcome) improvements to multitasking in iPad OS 26. iPad of course shines in other ways too, but for me, the advantages of macOS win out.

 

[Andy_2341]

What file management features would you want that aren’t in iPadOS 26, out of curiosity? I don’t know if you heard that iPadOS 26 is bringing several big features to Files. 👍🏻

The features being brought are great, but I didn’t phrase that in the best way. What I meant was the ability to mount and eject drives safely. A nice eject button would be perfect.

 

[AlanMarron]

Just bought an M4 iPad Pro 13”, plan to sell my MacBook within the next two weeks after testing out my workflow. I don’t expect any issues, I need basic Google Suite (I use the browser for this, so far no issues), Zoom, and use of several iPad applications tailored to my profession. I love the idea of having one ultraportable device with cellular data for work and travel, journaling/ note taking, and a beautiful OLED display. I’m dangerously using the iPad OS 26 beta currently, and so far it has been stable for my needs.

It’s only been 24 hours so far, but my immediate impression is that iPad OS 26 + M4 Pro/ Magic Keyboard hardware makes this the best computer experience I’ve had yet.

I use my M2 iPad Air for most routine activities, however, changing an even moderately complex Google Sheet has me using my M1 MacBook Air. If not for that, the addition of Preview in OS26 would allow me to park my MacBook for all but one day a month.

I really like the flexibility of moving an iPad to where it’s best with my aging eyes. (Which is why I switched from an iMac to a MacBook a decade ago.)

 

[Kal Madda]

The features being brought are great, but I didn’t phrase that in the best way. What I meant was the ability to mount and eject drives safely. A nice eject button would be perfect.

Ok, that makes sense. 👍🏻 On a positive note, it looks like they might add an option for that in iPadOS 26, there’s an “Eject” option in the Menu Bar under the “File” category in the Files app. It currently works on servers added into Files, so may also work for external drives as well down the line. 👍🏻. And it currently adds a little eject button on a server in the sidebar as well, just like drives on macOS. It seems like it may be a work in progress, so hopefully they incorporate it for external drives in a future beta! 👍🏻

 

[Kal Madda]

I use my M2 iPad Air for most routine activities, however, changing an even moderately complex Google Sheet has me using my M1 MacBook Air. If not for that, the addition of Preview in OS26 would allow me to park my MacBook for all but one day a month.

I really like the flexibility of moving an iPad to where it’s best with my aging eyes. (Which is why I switched from an iMac to a MacBook a decade ago.)

That makes sense. Are you trying the web version of Google Sheets in Safari on the iPad, or the native App Store version? Because the App Store version is significantly different from the web version, and Google has removed a number of features out of that version. But the web version is identical to the one on the Mac. Note that if the App Store version is installed, Google will reroute you to that instead of the web version, so I generally recommend people ignore the native version of most of the Google suite and use the web versions like on a Mac. And with using the web versions, you can even set up a tab group for them, which is very handy. 👍🏻

Also the web versions fully support cursor and Apple Pencil input, so for things where fingers aren’t precise enough, those can really help. And with the new pointer in iPadOS 26, the experience should be even more Mac-like. 👍🏻

I hope that info might be helpful for you. 👍🏻🙂

 

[Shirasaki]

while my iPad can never replace either my Mac or my PC as the main device, it surely does a lot to help me completing simple tasks on the go, or give me the ability to remote to my Mac or PC to get job done there. It is a very powerful support device for me.

With that being said, iPadOS 26 shows some promises but deep underneath it is still iOS. Since Apple has no intention to replace iPadOS with macOS, iPadOS can only be main device by so many people, even though the number of people able to get away with their lives using only iPadOS might be growing. I certainly won’t be one of them but I could very well be the minority in the next few years.

 

[Allyance]

I have a newer iMac but my iPhone is a 12Pro which is getting on in age. I thought of getting an iPad on a deal would take a big load off the iPhone for another year. Larger screen would make a lot of site easier to read. The new OS would also make it more versatile.