How iPadOS 26 convinced me to switch from Mac to iPad full-time – and why I don’t regret it

My greatest takeaway from WWDC 2025 is that I can lastly use my iPad Air to its full potential. 

For the longest time, the iPad has been a product that I’ve wished so as to add to my workflow however could not as a consequence of its inflexible working system — one that does not essentially complement the iPad’s versatile {hardware}. However iPadOS 26 is lastly bridging the hole between the Apple pill and a pc.  

Additionally: Your iPad is getting 4 big upgrades for free. Here are the top features in iPadOS 26

I lately put in the primary developer beta on my 13-inch M3 iPad Air to see if I may use it for my typical productiveness workflow. The brand new multitasking system, higher help for mouse or trackpad, an improved file administration system, and refined additions to the UI inform me sure. And inside hours of utilization, I may sense that iPadOS 26 is the replace I’ve waited years for. 

(Observe: Since I am testing on the developer beta of iPadOS, that is extra of a first-hand demonstration of its newest options, and never a evaluation or testimonial. The expertise utilizing the software program will possible endure a number of extra modifications earlier than it is prepared for the general public.)

Multitasking on the iPad will get a significant increase

The brand new Windowed multitasking system is near what you’d anticipate from any Home windows or MacOS laptop. It’s simpler to handle and, not like Stage Manager, it makes use of the complete display screen. When you open an app, you’ll be able to resize it from the little curve on the backside proper nook or use the mouse pointer to carry and drag from the perimeters.

An app could be resized to any dimension you need, so long as the developer helps it. You too can seize the highest of an in-use app and toss it to both aspect to robotically fill half the display screen. I am nonetheless getting used to it, however I really like this gesture. 

Nonetheless, if you open one other app, on this case, it opens to full-screen view. I imagine it would be extra helpful if a brand new app robotically opened to fill the opposite half of the display screen. That mentioned, it is a developer beta, and issues may change within the ultimate construct.

Additionally: Every iPad model that supports iPadOS 26 (and which ones won’t be compatible)

As soon as resized, you’ll be able to add a number of apps to your iPad’s display screen. I used to be working two home windows of Chrome, Preview, Pictures, Adobe Specific, and the App Retailer (I will name it an app group). When you can see a number of apps without delay, iPadOS 26 permits you to actively work together with one. You may nonetheless hover the mouse pointer on an app within the background and scroll in it, however it is advisable to faucet on it to convey it ahead, like on MacOS. 

When working an app group, in case you swipe up from the underside of the display screen, the group is split into two halves and pushed to the 2 sides. Faucet on a brand new app, and it involves the forefront with all the opposite app group apps within the background. When you go to a different app from the App Supervisor (swipe up and maintain), it opens in full display screen. However in case you resize it, it turns into a part of the app group. Principally, there is a slew of recent gestures that can require some familiarizing, however they’re all pretty intuitive.

Notably, you’ll be able to’t create a number of app teams within the Windowed Apps structure. However it’s potential to take action in Stage Supervisor, which is lastly extra intuitive and helpful than earlier than. It permits you to prepare lively app home windows throughout a number of teams whereas using the complete display screen. 

For instance, I take advantage of my iPad primarily for photograph enhancing and writing/analysis. It is good to have the ability to membership Lightroom, Specific, and Preview in a single group, Chrome, Acrobat Reader, and Information in one other, and Slack, Asana, and WhatsApp in a 3rd. 

Additionally: Every iPad model that supports iPadOS 26 (and which ones won’t be compatible)

Whereas the brand new fluid resizing system performs a giant half in smoother multitasking, Apple has additionally borrowed some macOS parts to ship a computer-like expertise. Now, apps have a stoplight menu with Shut, Reduce, and Develop buttons on the top-left nook. 

There is a new menu bar on high, which reveals settings and choices based mostly on the app you are utilizing. And the Magic Keyboard (or a Bluetooth keyboard + mouse combo) works higher, due to a brand new pointer and CMD-Tab app-switch capabilities whereas multitasking.

You may go to Settings > Multitasking & Gestures to change between Full-Display Apps, Windowed Apps, and the Stage Supervisor. 

Is the iPad lastly a MacBook substitute?

The reply depends upon what you do in your iPad. It won’t be a real MacBook substitute in case your work includes working desktop apps, but it surely will get rattling shut. The cellular app scenario is a unique story, however Mac-like multitasking capabilities give it a brand new life.

Additionally: Apple just gave me a compelling reason to ditch my MacBook for an iPad. Here’s why

After 24 hours of utilizing the iPadOS 26 developer beta, I can confidently say that my iPad Air is a extra dependable journey companion now. Its working system not feels inflexible and lets me do what I need with out pushing again. That friction in multitasking is gone. The Magic Keyboard seems like a extra succesful accent — one which I might be comfy spending $300 on. 

With iPadOS 26, my iPad Air lastly feels able to be a real 2-in-1 laptop. This is to hoping the general public beta and eventual ultimate model are simply as, if no more, promising than the developer beta.