I wrote a year ago that I hardly use an iPad any more. With one small exception, that remains the case – but iPadOS 26 did have me revisit the question.
That’s because this transforms the device so much that, for the first time, I considered it impossible to argue that the iPad isn’t now a (proper) computer …
Why I (almost) stopped using my iPads
I said there were five reasons, four of which were that Apple Silicon MacBooks effectively closed the gap between the two device types, and for me the MacBook won out.
The instant on/off nature of an iPad has essentially been replicated by the Mac. Mobile hotspot on the iPhone is now super–quick and reliable. MacBooks are way lighter than they used to be. Battery life is now close enough that the difference isn’t significant for my usage.
The fifth reason was that Viture One XR glasses effectively replaced my iPad mini as a personal entertainment device. The small exception I mentioned is because Libby isn’t supported by Kindle in the UK, I did end up holding onto that as a dedicated ebook reader for books borrowed from the library.
iPadOS 26 is a massive improvement
I said last year that my 12.9–inch iPad Pro still sits in a drawer. That isn’t quite true any more – but only on a technicality! It is currently serving as a piece of home decor …
I grew up with a typewriter before home computers were a thing, and I’ve never lost my love of the devices. Sure, it would be wildly impractical to actually use one these days, but it’s why the Qwerkywriter appealed so much. I even considered getting a typewriter as a piece of home decor, and the iPad with Qwerkywriter is currently serving in that role.
But yeah, that’s not qualitatively different to sitting in a drawer.
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