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Does it mean that every power user could replace their MacBook or Windows laptop with an iPad? I don’t think so. There are plenty of scenarios where power would find iPads too limited their workflow.
It depends upon the functionality that is required while mobile. When I first switched to the iPad, the idea was to remotely access my Mac mini for any of the required functionality that I could not perform directly from on the iPad. Over the last fourteen years I determined that I do not need to remote into my desktop Macintosh and I do not need to have a MacBook. The limitations are the minds of the users and the minds of the developers as to what is possible with the iPad. There were many that said notebook computers would never replace desktops, now the notebooks do replace desktops for most people. The same will be true for iPads.
 
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Many would say the same when Windows replaced DOS in 1995. Things progress while older systems die. I do not see Apple replacing macOS with iPadOS. macOS and iPadOS serve two different systems. As Microsoft would tell you have the experience with Windows 8, you cannot shoehorn a traditional desktop operating system into a tablet computer. They compliment each other. iPadOS becoming more functional is a great thing.
Situation is different. DOS at the end of the day was and still is a desktop operating system, only far more primitive compared to Windows in terms of functionality, features, support etc. iPadOS and macOS represents a different paradigm for computing: one is more or less stationary but powerful and versatile vs limited in power but highly flexible and mobile. Windows 8 saw the dawn of mobile computing, but Microsoft didn’t follow what Apple was doing: start with separated devices with different interfaces, and wait until the trend was clear before merging. Now, with people having phones more than computers, desktop OS has seen less and less of a use outside of people who knows what they are doing. I believe Apple will eventually replace macOS with iPadOS by porting all the critical macOS features into iPadOS. We have fanless M4 MacBook Air btw, and iPad is also fanless.
 
It depends upon the functionality that is required while mobile. When I first switched to the iPad, the idea was to remotely access my Mac mini for any of the required functionality that I could not perform directly from on the iPad. Over the last fourteen years I determined that I do not need to remote into my desktop Macintosh and I do not need to have a MacBook. The limitations are the minds of the users and the minds of the developers as to what is possible with the iPad. There were many that said notebook computers would never replace desktops, now the notebooks do replace desktops for most people. The same will be true for iPads.
i hope so
not right now
but in future … perhaps
 
It depends upon the functionality that is required while mobile. When I first switched to the iPad, the idea was to remotely access my Mac mini for any of the required functionality that I could not perform directly from on the iPad. Over the last fourteen years I determined that I do not need to remote into my desktop Macintosh and I do not need to have a MacBook. The limitations are the minds of the users and the minds of the developers as to what is possible with the iPad. There were many that said notebook computers would never replace desktops, now the notebooks do replace desktops for most people. The same will be true for iPads.
Exactly! I replaced my MBP with my M1 iPad Pro in November 2021 for my mobile solution, mainly taking care of my real estate and property management business, and have never looked back. I like iPad OS...a lot! It is imho, the best tablet computer OS available, making the iPad Pro the most versatile device Apple has ever made, giving me the perfect tablet computer to take care of my mobile needs. The OS has been getting better every year, and with iPad OS 26...only the sky's my limit. I have the 11" M1 iPad Pro, and now that I have proven to myself that it could replace my MBP, I will be upgrading to a 13" M4, or maybe waiting to see what the new one brings later this year.
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I believe that the limitations is Microsoft’s policy decisions as Pages is a much better word processor than Microsoft Word on the iPad. There are limitations on what subscription level you subscribe to Microsoft 365. Thankfully I have two subscriptions that I do not pay for, so I have evaluated both applications. I still do not use Microsoft Word even with the subscriptions because Pages is better and I have increased my productivity since upgrading to Pages. I have used Microsoft Word from version 2.0 though 2007 exclusivity and I have the current versions installed either in a virtual machine or on a supplied computer.
There are no limitations with MS 365 apss when you have an active subscription, and this include iPadOS versions. They simply operate within different ecosystems—one for consumers and the other within the MS business/enterprise.

I tried both apps, and honestly, the iWork suite just doesn’t compare to the desktop version of Microsoft Office. Microsoft also built a much stronger business ecosystem, and the way Office integrates into that ecosystem is seamless. Apple doesn’t really have anything that comes close. For my workflow, MS Office is clearly the better choice.

Perhaps your needs are different from mine.
 
I’ve been using this with external screen, mouse and keyboard, and it really is a lot more usable now than before. The bugs are surprisingly few and survivable, too, for a developer beta 👀

Only thing we need now is all the general keyboard shortcuts like Cmd+N, Cmd+Q etc. I’m sure they will be there in RC.
 
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It depends upon the functionality that is required while mobile. When I first switched to the iPad, the idea was to remotely access my Mac mini for any of the required functionality that I could not perform directly from on the iPad. Over the last fourteen years I determined that I do not need to remote into my desktop Macintosh and I do not need to have a MacBook. The limitations are the minds of the users and the minds of the developers as to what is possible with the iPad. There were many that said notebook computers would never replace desktops, now the notebooks do replace desktops for most people. The same will be true for iPads.
In many cases, notebooks have replaced desktops because their performance matches that of desktops, and they run the same operating systems. However, this wasn’t initially the case with iPads. They were originally designed as touch-first devices, making challenging to replicate desktop workflows. Recently, Apple has introduced many desktop-like features, making iPads more similar to notebooks or desktops. In my opinion, this is why will see more instances of iPads replacing laptops for certain tasks. The limitations for users and developers you mentioned were real, which is why Apple has made so many changes to iPadOS.
 
I’ve been using this with external screen, mouse and keyboard, and it really is a lot more usable now than before. The bugs are surprisingly few and survivable, too, for a developer beta 👀

Only thing we need now is all the general keyboard shortcuts like Cmd+N, Cmd+Q etc. I’m sure they will be there in RC.
Could do with exposé expanding to be able to use and manipulate spaces like Mission Control too
 
I’ve been using this with external screen, mouse and keyboard, and it really is a lot more usable now than before. The bugs are surprisingly few and survivable, too, for a developer beta 👀

Only thing we need now is all the general keyboard shortcuts like Cmd+N, Cmd+Q etc. I’m sure they will be there in RC.
On iPad mini external screen is still not supported at native resolution, regardless of selecting Stage Manager or Windowed.

Fun fact: I can run Windows Remote Desktop App and enjoy full native display resolution. So, in a nutshell, I can have a better Windows 11 experience on my iPad mini than native OS when hoolked up to an external screen. 🤪

I seriously hope someone in Cupertino realizes that and fixes it before the final release...
 
1) Stop running around the pot! Just put a real macOS on the iPad!!

2) still no multiuser account on iPadOS. The one feature that almost everyone wants to have…
I don’t want macOS on iPad. It will ruin either experience like Windows 8 which was great for tablet horrible for standard PC, or Windows 10/11 where I have trouble to this day tapping stuff due to small interact-able elements that are suited for mouse.
 
In many cases, notebooks have replaced desktops because their performance matches that of desktops, and they run the same operating systems. However, this wasn’t initially the case with iPads. They were originally designed as touch-first devices, making challenging to replicate desktop workflows. Recently, Apple has introduced many desktop-like features, making iPads more similar to notebooks or desktops. In my opinion, this is why will see more instances of iPads replacing laptops for certain tasks. The limitations for users and developers you mentioned were real, which is why Apple has made so many changes to iPadOS.
I have always seen this as good thing as Apple is sandboxing each of the functions to improve security as they open them up for iPadOS. Thereby fixing many of the problems from macOS. There is an axiom in Cybersecurity, it is easier to grant permissions than it is to take away permissions. In this case, it is better to fix things as you open them up rather than opening them up and then securing them. Kind of like building your house and then realizing that you need plumbing in the house.
 
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There are no limitations with MS 365 apss when you have an active subscription, and this include iPadOS versions. They simply operate within different ecosystems—one for consumers and the other within the MS business/enterprise.

I tried both apps, and honestly, the iWork suite just doesn’t compare to the desktop version of Microsoft Office. Microsoft also built a much stronger business ecosystem, and the way Office integrates into that ecosystem is seamless. Apple doesn’t really have anything that comes close. For my workflow, MS Office is clearly the better choice.

Perhaps your needs are different from mine.
So when you insert an equation you get a textbox to type the equation without clear process of how to write the equation and it does not accept latex. There is also not an option for mail merge. There are other features that I do not remember off the top of my head. As I have mentioned, I have access to two Microsoft subscriptions. Microsoft forced me to learn to use Apple iWork because Office did not exist for iOS at that point in time. I have used Pages on the iPad to write all of my papers for my first doctoral degree along with both dissertations for my current doctoral degree. I am very familiar with Microsoft Office on all platforms, but I now have found greater productivity using Apple iWork than using Microsoft Office, so much so that I will never subscribe to Microsoft 365. The school supplies access to Microsoft 365, but I prefer to not use the software.
Every business that I have worked at, three since Microsoft 365 was released, never integrated Microsoft Office into their processes, only downgrading business applications to some websites, so we have never taken advantage of any of the ecosystem around Microsoft Office. I developed a VBA macro in Microsoft Excel once to plot AutoCAD Maps with stars inserted on certain elements identified in the Excel Workbook. If the business would do something that would absolutely require Microsoft Office, I would use it. My preference is to use Apple iWork to be more efficient and effective than using Microsoft Office. It is not because I do not have experience with Microsoft Office, as I have used Microsoft Office since Word 2.0 and Excel 4.0.
 
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Situation is different. DOS at the end of the day was and still is a desktop operating system, only far more primitive compared to Windows in terms of functionality, features, support etc. iPadOS and macOS represents a different paradigm for computing: one is more or less stationary but powerful and versatile vs limited in power but highly flexible and mobile. Windows 8 saw the dawn of mobile computing, but Microsoft didn’t follow what Apple was doing: start with separated devices with different interfaces, and wait until the trend was clear before merging. Now, with people having phones more than computers, desktop OS has seen less and less of a use outside of people who knows what they are doing. I believe Apple will eventually replace macOS with iPadOS by porting all the critical macOS features into iPadOS. We have fanless M4 MacBook Air btw, and iPad is also fanless.
Actually I do not agree with that aspect. I believe that Macintosh computers will stay in the realm of business computing for the desktop whereas consumers will use the iPad as their primary large screen computer. So I really do not see any future where Apple would put iPadOS on a Macintosh. I do prefer to use the iPad as my primary computer while teaching and most of my daily tasks. There are only a few legacy applications that I still need to use the Macintosh for and that is why I use a Desktop Macintosh instead of a MacBook. If the company issued me a Windows computer, it would sit at the desk never being used.
 
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i hope so
not right now
but in future … perhaps
Well I would suggest that you give it a try. I figured that out with a first generation iPad over a weekend almost fourteen years ago. I looked at what I needed while I was mobile and determined that I really did not need as much as I had originally thought.
 
Well I would suggest that you give it a try. I figured that out with a first generation iPad over a weekend almost fourteen years ago. I looked at what I needed while I was mobile and determined that I really did not need as much as I had originally thought.
i’ll wait to see …
I need to run standalone matlab, texpoint, latexit, lyx on ipad for me.
 
Many workflows will only really work out on a full blown laptop. And that's a good thing. Luckily we can still choose to own a macbook instead.

No, it's not. It's more like iOS optimized for a bigger screen. And no, iOS is not macOS.

If you don't see the limitations of ipadOS, you can't call yourself a power user.
Not really as many businesses have downgraded from real applications to websites where the client operating system does not matter.
You only believe that iPadOS is an optimized iOS because the iPad ran iOS in the beginning, and completely ignoring the fact that iOS and iPadOS are derived from macOS.
And yet I am more than a power user and I know how to optimize my usage depending on my needs. I am only limited by my ability to get work done in the most efficient and effective way possible and I am not limited by iPadOS in any way shape, fashion, or form. I am smart enough to know that because you are limited by a specific mindset, that you just do not see the benefit of being as effective using iPadOS as macOS. Sure there are differences between the two operating systems, but thankfully not enough to hinder daily productivity in any manor.
 
i’ll wait to see …
I need to run standalone matlab, texpoint, latexit, lyx on ipad for me.
If the developers would write those applications for the iPad or make them universal applications, then it would be possible. I have no need of texpoint, latexit, or lyx. I can use Latex in Pages on the iPad to typeset equations, or if I really wanted to spend more time getting things done, I could use Textastic to write markdown documents and be less effective or efficient in getting things done.
 
Yes, App Store is beautiful and awesome. We all should worship this dimension where all credit cards are safe and free.

No, it’s just that if you think the app store is the reason why iPads don’t run macOS, then you’re oversimplifying things at an expert level.
 
So, just finished listening to The Vergecast's WWDC 2025 episode and at the very end, Nilay Patel mentioned that he talked to some Apple devs and off the record they told him that the reason why the macOS-like multi-tasking and multi-window support wasn't implemented on iPadOS until now is because they didn't want to trade away the zero lag responsiveness of the touchscreen on iPadOS.

Nilay puts it best in TheVergecast - https://pca.st/voxehuv0?t=4126,4228?t=1h8m46s
 
So when you insert an equation you get a textbox to type the equation without clear process of how to write the equation and it does not accept latex. There is also not an option for mail merge. There are other features that I do not remember off the top of my head. As I have mentioned, I have access to two Microsoft subscriptions. Microsoft forced me to learn to use Apple iWork because Office did not exist for iOS at that point in time. I have used Pages on the iPad to write all of my papers for my first doctoral degree along with both dissertations for my current doctoral degree. I am very familiar with Microsoft Office on all platforms, but I now have found greater productivity using Apple iWork than using Microsoft Office, so much so that I will never subscribe to Microsoft 365. The school supplies access to Microsoft 365, but I prefer to not use the software.
Every business that I have worked at, three since Microsoft 365 was released, never integrated Microsoft Office into their processes, only downgrading business applications to some websites, so we have never taken advantage of any of the ecosystem around Microsoft Office. I developed a VBA macro in Microsoft Excel once to plot AutoCAD Maps with stars inserted on certain elements identified in the Excel Workbook. If the business would do something that would absolutely require Microsoft Office, I would use it. My preference is to use Apple iWork to be more efficient and effective than using Microsoft Office. It is not because I do not have experience with Microsoft Office, as I have used Microsoft Office since Word 2.0 and Excel 4.0.
Are you comparing the desktop and iPad versions of Microsoft Word? They’re definitely different. When I said there are no limitations, I meant that none of the features are locked. The iPad version was built with the device’s original limitations in mind, so it’s not quite the same. Since Office is now a Universal app, I wonder if Microsoft could eventually bring the full desktop experience to iPad. I hope so.

Maybe your workplace doesn’t use the Microsoft ecosystem, and that’s totally fine. But that doesn’t mean other businesses or enterprises don’t rely on it. There are actually a lot of benefits to working within that ecosystem that Apple just doesn’t offer. Pages might work well for you, but for me, it feels too limited, especially since my workflow is deeply integrated with Microsoft tools. Apple just doesn’t have anything comparable in that space.
 
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