The latest updates on macOS 26 and iPadOS 26 got me excited. And barely 24 hours after the BETA release, posts were flooding that the iPad could finally replace a MacBook.
I must admit, it’s quite similar to a MacBook. However, I couldn’t convince myself that my iPad Pro M4 would be the only device I’d need.
Even though this is use-case dependent, here’s my scenario:
- I mainly blog and create content
- My toolkit and productivity stack is 80% Apple native apps
- I work 6 hours per day, 4 of them are writing & editing
It sounds like a dream, because I prefer to write on an iPad Pro anyway. I found typing with the Magic Keyboard incredibly soothing and inviting.
The short version? No, I still can’t fully replace a laptop with an iPad Pro.
The Main Reason Why I Can’t Replace My MacBook
Editing and spell check. As a non-native English speaker, I make a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes. The Grammarly App for iPad is one of the most horrible applications out there.
It’s extremely slow, lags, and instead of improving my workflow, it just shuts down my workflow.
I could use the browser-based version of Grammarly, copy and paste my text into and go for a spell check, but it’s not working.
Notion is notorious for these issues, but I made a compromise because I prefer writing my blog drafts in Notion before finalizing them in Apple Pages.
That means I still rely on a desktop or laptop for my final edits, and I’m perfectly okay with that. It’s more efficient, faster, and I prefer to publish my content on WordPress using my MacBook.
iPadOS 26 For The Average User
I consider myself an average user because my toolkit is limited, and as a blogger/content creator, there’s no requirement for heavy applications or intense processing of files.
But I do think that the iPad with the new iPadOS 26 is more than enough to replace a laptop. Especially with improved features like file management and preview, there’s almost no reason to have another device.
The question is: Should you?
The MacBook Airs are undoubtedly the best laptops in their price range.
You would save a significant amount of money by purchasing a MacBook Air instead of an iPad Pro, and you would be able to complete 100% of your tasks, unlike me who can only complete 90% of them.
It makes me question why Apple would roll out such a great iPadOS version that is damn close to MacOS.
And I think it’s more about mobility, better screen display on iPads, and having a device that is now better for travel instead of taking both with you.
Before iPadOS 26, I was always torn if I should travel with both devices.
But now, I don’t need to even think anymore. I can just go for the iPad Pro. Even if I need spell checks or to publish content, there are still slower ways to achieve that.
Final Word
As much as I try, there’s no replacement for me. Both devices serve a different purpose for me, but I have to admit that my MacBook or Mac has become a secondary device for 2 years now, and with the new iPadOS 26, the iPad Pro has become an even bigger workhorse for me.
Embracing all the native apps and making the switch from third-party apps like Google Mail to iCloud Mail made my decision even easier. Native Apple apps work smoothly on iPads.
The new M chips last longer, and the remaining tasks I need to perform on a different device don’t require constant upgrades or the latest models.
I found myself more productive working on an iPad Pro, and it’s probably the best device I’ve ever bought.