If the internet hype is to be believed iPadOS 26 will solve most of the problems that caused your iPad to not become your computer of choice. If you believe the hype that is.

I’ve been using iPadOS 26 for a few days and while it does improve the window management issues in Stage Manager, it doesn’t revolutionize the function of the iPad. If the software didn’t exist before iPadOS 26 it doesn’t exist now that Apple has improved windowing.

I can’t run local servers or use NeoVim for my work. There is no proper terminal application. Some websites still suck in Safari, looking at you WordPress block editor. All my automation has to go through shortcuts, so my decade of scripts that run in my terminal won’t work.

YouTube works with a touch interface, but is 99% frustrating if you’re trying to use it on a secondary screen.

I can’t build iPad apps on an iPad unless I’m very selective about the features. I can’t build an app for any other desktop platform on an iPad, which I can do on macOS. You can do web programming on an iPad, but it’s a bunch of hacks to make things work and you’re still going to be slower than you would be working on a local machine.

In many ways I get the hype, I want to use my iPad. It’s a great form factor and it’s fast. I’ve tried other tablets, but they’re not even close to an iPad.

If the only problem you had making the iPad your main computer was it’s windowing support, then this might make a difference. If you’re a podcaster you might be able to use the iPad without hacks now.

If you had any other issues with the iPad and it’s software, you’re still going to be disappointed by the iPad. It’s still going to feel like a device with so much promise, and so many limitations.

I’ll still use it to watch YouTube videos and do some writing. I’ll use it with my indoor bike trainer to do workouts. It’s not going to become my main computer any time soon though.