iPados 26 is turning my ipad air into ultraopeportable laptop

I was curious and curious to try iPados 26 when Apple first announced this in WWDC 2025 last month. For the longest time, iPad is something that I wanted to add to my workflow, but cannot be caused by its rigid operating system – one that is not necessarily complementing the flexible hardware of the iPad.

It seems that Apple was aware of this, as the iPados 26 tries to bridge the long interval between the Apple Tablet and a computer. I would like to use my M3 iPad air for my full potential in the end.

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I have recently installed the first developer beta on my 13 -inch M3 iPad Air, to see if I can use it for my general productivity workflow. Let me tell you the new multitasking system, better support for mouse or trackpad, a better file management system, and UI subtle additions to me. And within a few hours of use, I can understand that iPados 26 is the update I am waiting for for years.

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Multitasking on iPad gets a meaningful boost

The new window multitasking system is close to what you will expect from any windows or MacoS computer. It is easy to manage and, unlike the stage manager, uses full screen. Once you open an app, you can shape it with a small curve on the lower right corner or use the mouse pointer to catch and drag from the sides.

As long as the developer supports it, an app can be shaped for any dimension. You can also catch the top of the in-use app and toss it on both sides to automatically fill half the screen. I still have a habit of this, but I like this gesture very much.

However, when you open another app, in this case, it opens to a full-screen view. I believe it would be more useful if a new app was automatically opened to fill the other half of the screen. He said, it is a developer beta, and things can turn into the final build.

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Once you change the shape, you can add several apps to your iPad screen. I was running two windows of chrome, preview, photo, Adobe Express and App Store (I would call it app group). When you can see several apps at once, the iPados 26 allows you to actively interact with one. You can still hover the mouse pointer on an app in the background and scroll in it, but you need to tap it on it to bring it forward, such as on the McOS.

When running the app group, if you swipe from under the screen, it is divided into two parts and pushed to both sides. Tap on a new app, and it comes at the forefront. If you go to another app from the app manager (swipe up and hold), it opens throughout the screen. But if you shape it, this app becomes part of the group. Originally, these new gestures may require some practice, but they are all quite comfortable.

In particular, you cannot create several app groups in the Window Apps layout. But it is possible to do this in the stage manager, which is eventually more comfortable and useful than before. This allows you to arrange the active app window in many groups when using a full screen.

For example, I use my iPad mainly for photo editing and writing/research. A group, chrome, acrobat reader, and in the other files in the files, it is good to be able to do literoom, express and preview, and slack, asanas, and WhatsApp in a third.

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While the new fluid -shaped system makes multitasking very smooth, Apple has also borrowed some elements from Macos for experiences like computer. Now, the apps have a stoplight menu with the top-left corner close to the buttons at the corner, at least, and expansion.

There is a new menu bar at the top, which shows settings and options based on the app you are being used. In addition, the magic keyboard (or a Bluetooth keyboard + mouse combo) works better, while thanks to a new pointer and CMD-tab app-switch abilities while doing multitasking. It all makes it feel too much like Mac.

You can go to Settings> Multitasking and gestures to switch between full-screen apps, window apps and stage manager.

Is the iPad finally a MacBook replacement?

The answer depends on what you do on your iPad. This may not be a true MacBook replacement if your work involves driving desktop apps, but it becomes very close. The position of the mobile app is a different story, but multitasking abilities like Mac give it a new life.

Too: Each iPad model that supports iPados 26 (and which will not be compatible)

After 24 hours of using iPados 26 developer beta, I can confidently say that my iPad Air is now a more reliable journey partner. Its operating system no longer seems restrained, and I think I can do more than what I want. With that friction in multitasking, the magic keyboard looks like a more competent accessory – one that I will be comfortable to spend $ 300.

With iPados 26, my iPad Air finally feels ready to be a true 2 -in -1 computer. Public beta and final version is expected here, such as not more, not more than the developer beta.