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iPadOS 27 might finally be the update that turns the iPad into a true computer replacement. After years of incredibly powerful iPad hardware being held back by software, Apple has refined the experience with mature free-flowing window management, a persistent menu bar, smarter multitasking, improved keyboard workflows, faster performance, a more powerful Files app, Lock Screen customization, and much more.
In this video, I break down the iPadOS 27 features and refinements I’ve been loving on my M4 iPad Pro, including the new desktop-class windowing experience, Magic Keyboard automations, CMD + Space with Spotlight and Siri AI, customizable Files app, faster AirDrop and file transfers, and the smaller quality-of-life improvements that make the entire OS feel dramatically more polished.
The bigger question is whether Apple has finally pushed iPadOS close enough to macOS that an iPad can legitimately replace a MacBook for most people — while still keeping the iPad and Mac distinct enough to complement each other.
Do you use your iPad as your main computer, or is it still primarily a tablet for you? Let me know down below!
Big thanks to Paperlike for sponsoring this video! I’ve been using Paperlike products since 2018, and the new Paperlike 3 continues to be one of my favorite additions to my iPad setup.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Can the iPad Finally Replace Your Computer?
01:34 – The Desktop Experience Finally Feels Mature
02:03 – True Free-Flowing Windows
03:19 – The Mac-Like Menu Bar
05:16 – Paperlike 3
07:02 – Magic Keyboard Automations
07:47 – CMD + Space, Spotlight & Siri AI
09:16 – Lock Screen Refinements
10:10 – New Wallpaper Customization
10:55 – Apple Intelligence Wallpaper Extend
12:07 – iPadOS 27 Feels MUCH Faster
12:44 – Faster AirDrop & File Transfers
13:03 – The Files App Gets More Mac-Like
13:45 – How Close Is iPadOS to macOS?
14:23 – Can the iPad Actually Replace a Mac?
#Apple #HomePad #HomePod #AppleHome #HomeKit #AppleLeaks #homeOS #siri
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Until websites stop treating it as a mobile device, itll never replace a laptop – websites literally forcing you into horrible apps that suck and have less features..
I never wanted the iPad to replace a Mac. Why would I? Can a refrigerator replace your iPhone?
How is tha windowing stuff different from IpadOS 26? Clickbait?
No matter what, you have a "screen" that's 10x as heavy as the keyboard, which will never be comfortable.
Until the iPad can be backed up to an external SSD at useful speeds it will not be a " true computer replacement". Currently you must either have another Mac or a huge iCloud account. That is a complete failure by Apple. Understand that they are keeping the iPad crippled so they can sell either iCloud or another Mac for lots more $$$.
I really appreciate the effort that you put into this, but your entire video focused on why iPadOS now “LOOKS LIKE” MacOS, but then you proceeded to show features that have nothing to do with your video title, all to promote the same overpriced screen protector that, ironically, is designed to make the iPad work as a tablet rather than a computer replacement. Try running any local AI tool that uses computer or file system, including Apple’s own Siri Intelligence, and you will see how iPadOS is, and will always remain, a mobile operating system. And if that’s not your use case, try editing a text file on the iPad using native tools.
Do not use the iPad as a MacBook Pro replacement but sure I do use it as a generic laptop replacement with moderate limitations. Nor do I want fully replace a MacBook. This premise of replacing a Macbook with an iPad is ridiculous.
I love my iPad (I’m using it right now) and it’s my main “computer” since I use it the most but since it cannot run my Photography printers with their specific drivers, etc. and the software is still quite buggy when using a large external display, I’ve had to give up my idea of my iPads being my only “computer”.
I think Jobs was right: the tablet aka the iPad is a great in between the smartphone and the desktop/laptop. They’re “real” computers, surely. But I think someone still needs a macOS and iPhone to really bring out the best of the iPad.
This is the year the iPad becomes a computer. It's also the year of the Linux desktop.
In other words, how many times does Lucy need to hold the football before someone stops kicking it.
Widescreen support? And if no widescreen support, why blow up the UX and make any screen viewable from 5 miles away only?
My iPad Pro will never fully replace my MacBook Pro until the iPad gets desktop class Word Processors, PowerPoint, etc!
holy waffle😭🙏🥀
I just have a honor x9a tablet and magicos is really, nice especially magic os 10, very smooth on my 120hz 11.5 inch 2.5k screen. Best part is that I got it for only 136 pounds. Snapdragon 685 with 6gb of ram is ok for web browsing, and light games, not really much else.
The biggest issue for me is only 1 active audio source (from only 1 active window).. that one feels very not-desktop like
Please clarify a question I have. The Safari browser takes up the entire screen when extending the display to monitor?
iPad Pro and Mac mini has replaced my laptop which is probably a quirky combination. If I need my Mac, I can just use screens or terminal to connect to it. 90% can be done on my iPad in my work flow.
It doesnt have good splitview. Its horrible. 0:33
Its a touch device. I Absolutely do not use it as a computer.
You want a computer? Use the ipad as a monitor with a mac mini
my iPad has become my Jeep's 2nd off road map screen.
Battery life when under moderate to heavy use it something that is lacking.
Great video! Finally replaced my Gen 3 (2018) iPad Pro 13 with the new M5 iPad Pro 13… and the new iOS 26 versions with the custom windows and file features convinced me that my search for a McBook Pro is over. This was also nailed down with the addition of Final Cut Pro for editing my YouTube videos for work (and my personal channel that is mostly moto based here). The days of “must view on PC” are over… that is unless you need to open an MRI imaging App from my radiologist, damn! We are almost there and now that I have my new M5 iPad, I am pretty sure I will hit 10 years with no “computer” in 2028. Cheers! PS… did I mention as a photographer how amazing iPad Light Room is for editing pics with the Apple Pencil? I don’t know how to function without a touch screen any more.
The only way to turn an iPad into a real computer as of now is to sell it and get a Mac instead.
You still can really minimize apps and Microsoft office scuks balls on ipad
just install macos on the ipads gng✌️
It still doesn't have a dedicated terminal and doesn't have a true file explorer
Are there any iPad videos not sponsored by Paperlike? 😂
why they are not using the MacOS on it it will kill both macbook and iPad lineup