Apple’s walled garden is the iPad’s biggest roadblock to becoming a Mac

iPads are 26 Appletablet More like MacOS. Better filled? To check. Menu bar? Yup. In advance, it is a more delicate-adjusted file application along with document editing. It was as if Apple’s long-term power is a list of user desires and they all performed. It is enough that the application store can be the last remaining cause to cling to the wall garden Mac.

For me, the iPad’s productivity changes were the most interesting part Apple’s WWDC 2025 Kneynot. Years ago, Apple first tried to replace the MacBook with the iPad Pro, while the first time IFADADADO. After viewing several times Microsoft surfacesI wanted an apple equivalent, dammit. Thus, despite the open limits of the iPad, I hit.

I did, for a lot, … It was beautiful. But there were always responsibilities that slow me down. Apple Open-free lookIt was firmly placed side by side of the two applications. Scenic manager added more nuance. However, it was not the same as the manual setup of the windows. What I needed to do was returned to a Mac and the work was clear: there was nowhere where the iPad was not ready for work flow. I was trying to match a square pole round hole.

Changes in IPados 26 will eventually bring the tablet closer to something that can replace a Mac. For many, I suspect that it will be enough. You can place Windows everywhere and change them. The menu bar will make it easier to enter the subtle control of applications. Can be seen in a network by expanding tile windows and all. The application takes the application with Mac’s finder. The new preview application document must edit a breeze. You can easily return to the simplicity of the Full-screen iPad.

This raises the question: Where does the macos still fall still? The lock is a fool.

Mac grew up in a period when you can install applications anywhere. The first was the discs. Then the internet. Of course, Apple has made changes to the macos a little more in the last decade. The system integrity protection (SIP) comes to mind. Gateertoo. However, as a whole, remains a relatively open environment. Getting your applications everywhere often means more extensive options, faster updates and less restrictions.

On the other hand, the iPad developed from the iPhone. (Old ones can remember “this is just a great iPod Touch”.EU exceptions Nevertheless). It remains in 26 on the iPad.

The tablet program also prevents the security of applications and canceling confidentiality restrictions. While this is not able to look like a good idea, you can have a killer feature for reliable Mac apps.

For example, the keyboard on MacOS can automate almost everything you can do with a keyboard and mouse. BetterTouchTool also offers an endless list of customizations, including window controls. (My favorite, yellow “traffic light” changes the button instead of minimizing them.) Karabiner-elements allow you to reset any key. A clipboard manager, with a mascara stroke, can show everything you copied.

Then there are Mac apps that allow Apple’s versions to use alternative. Third party launchers like Raynast and Alfred are in the focus of steroids. (Their extension libraries are so wide, there are their own shops.) Rectangular and moom applications such as Moom gives Apple’s window management alternatives. Many Mac apps offer more flexible text compensation than Apple’s internal solution.

He draws a line between two types of power users. As before, Mac power users will use the combination of above samples. Meanwhile, a new class of iPad users will enjoy the ability of a tablet to desktop. However, the latter will still be limited to the version of the Apple, everything. Now the power is stronger; But it is not an openness.

For this reason, I will probably remain a Mac-first guy for the near future. However, iPads will definitely test 26.