iPadOS 26 Transforms iPad into Mac-Like Device, Fulfilling Long-Awaited Vision

With the recent installation of iPadOS 26, Apple has fundamentally reshaped the iPad experience, moving it closer than ever to a touchscreen Mac. This significant evolution marks a departure from Steve Jobs’ original, more focused vision for the device, and the consensus is: it’s a welcome change.

For years, the concept of a multi-windowed, desktop-like interface on the iPad was considered almost sacrilege, clashing with Jobs’ initial pitch of a ‘third category’ device. When the iPad was unveiled in 2010, it was presented as an intimate, consumption-first tool, ideal for browsing, email, media, and reading. Jobs emphasized its simplicity and the unique experience of ‘holding the internet in your hands,’ distinct from both phones and laptops.

However, even from the outset, there were hints of the tension to come. Developers like Steve Sprang of Brushes and Apple’s own iWork suite suggested a more productive future. But the initial limitations—such as the lack of stylus support (famously scorned by Jobs) and a system-wide file manager—made serious productivity a chore. Users quickly demanded more than basic consumption, leading to a plateau in sales after an initial boom as the device struggled to fully replace either a smartphone or a laptop.

Apple responded by gradually evolving the iPad, introducing features like multitasking, Apple Pencil support, and more robust external keyboard integration. This incremental shift, culminating in iPadOS 26, has finally brought robust windowing and a more desktop-like file management system, effectively turning the iPad into a highly capable, portable workstation. This transformation, while diverging from the iPad’s minimalist origins, addresses years of user demand and unlocks the device’s full potential as a versatile computing tool.

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