Do you apply a Mac or an iPad ? Huge numbers of people use both , yet there are develop calls for Apple tomerge the two devicesinto some kind of all - in - one super ware . I ’m not one of those people — in fact I think it would be a terrible theme — and I ’m find out to manoeuver clear of any hypothetical iPad that run macOS .

Over the past few years , Apple’sbest iPadshave grown nearer to the Mac . We ’ve realize the devices get equip with Mac - level chip like theM4 , hit macOS - like software features such asStage Manager , and gain increased compatibility with black eye and keyboards .

This has go a lot of people to wonder whether Apple project to one 24-hour interval unite iPadOS andmacOS , admit parts from each operating system and building something that can figure out on any Apple tablet or computer .

Universal control iPad Mac

Apple

While this should bring a whole host of benefit , I imagine we should be careful not to go further and demand that Apple brings the full - fatty version of macOS to the iPad . at last , there are a few reasons why this could be a high-risk estimation .

Key areas for improvement

Gurman ’s theme claims that Apple plans to improve iPadOS in three main areas : “ productiveness , multitasking and app window management . ” Gurman provides few details on how this will in reality recreate out , but the idea that Apple is concentrating on these areas will be welcome tidings to iPad world power users who have been crying out for more able cock .

Apple is veracious to be focalize its efforts here . Currently , more advanced iPad features like Stage Manager are half - hearted and frustrating . They were introduced with much flash but have received few upgrades and improvements over the old age , allow for them feel stunt and half - forget .

Really , I ca n’t help but opine that the state of Stage Manager is symbolic of the iPad as a whole . In some ways , the iPad — particularly high - death random variable like theiPad Pro — currently sits somewhere between a figurer and tablet . There ’s not really enough for either iPad power users or Mac user who are thinking of ditch their laptops , leaving both mathematical group unsatisfied .

An iPad using Stage Manager in iPadOS 16.

Hey Apple, in what universe does this icon theming look even half-good?Apple

So for Apple to be pour attention on the areas that will give these user what they want is encouraging . While I ’m try not to get too far forwards of myself here — there are wanted few details in Gurman ’s report , after all — it ’s still good to hear .

The right call

Reports like this will plausibly also give succor to those people who have long called for Apple to meld iPadOS and macOS into a individual operating system of rules . After all , if the two systems keep getting closer , will it one day be simple for Apple to just blend them into one ?

This is an area where I have to take issue , and I powerfully feel that Apple must keep the iPad and the Mac distinct . Combining them together will only create more problems than it will solve .

One reason is that iPadOS and macOS are designed for two unlike way of working : the iPad pore on touch while the Mac is in the main run through a keyboard and shiner or trackpad . Sure , increasing numbers of people are using an iPad with the same peripherals as a Mac , but I powerfully surmise that they are the minority of Apple tablet users .

Writing in Arabic script using the ESR Geo Digital Pencil on the M4 iPad Pro.

Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

That means that although there is some overlap between iPadOS and macOS , there are enough differences to justify ingest two freestanding operating system .

As well as that , the risks of commingle the two system are too great . Apple would have to make too many compromises and would stop up with none of the distinct strength of either scheme — a headache that Apple itself has voiced on multiple occasions . In this particular case , one size of it fit all does n’t work for anyone .

Like my colleagueNadeem Sarwar , I ’m looking forward to view what these upgrade to iPadOS 19 will entail . Many of the iPad features intended for top executive substance abuser have a long way to go before reaching their potential , and I ’m hoping that Apple ’s upcoming tweak will help them get there .

But rent ’s not get too carried off — Gurman says that Apple is n’t unify iPadOS and macOS right now , and I ca n’t see it happening any time in the near future either . At the closing of the day , that really feel like it ’s the right call .