The iPad is increasingly bridging the gap with the Mac, yet it remains a distinct device with important differences. Apple has long promoted the idea of using both iPads and Macs, but insisted the platforms would remain separate. Recent developments suggest that line is blurring.
With the upcoming iPadOS 16, Apple has introduced several Mac-like features in the developer beta. These include improved multi-window support, a refined arrow pointer, menu bars, a Preview app for file viewing, and more flexible folder organization. When paired with a keyboard and trackpad, the iPad Pro gains enhanced multitasking capabilities, moving closer to meeting serious work needs.
Despite these advances, the iPad still falls short of fully replicating the Mac experience. There remain subtle but significant differences that could disrupt productivity for users accustomed to MacOS. The similarity is close enough to highlight the remaining gaps.
Both the latest iPads and Macs share M-series processors and similar accessories, making a full software convergence technically feasible. Apple has previously transitioned Mac hardware architectures, showing capability for significant change. However, the different app goals and workflows pose challenges to merging the platforms entirely.
Apple’s product designs and interfaces are aligning across devices, but the iPad and MacBook lines specifically continue to have overlapping features aimed at portability and productivity. The company aims to maintain the iPad’s simplicity for casual use while enabling a more advanced multitasking mode suitable for professional workflows.
This convergence may become more important as Apple expands into augmented reality wearables like Vision headsets. Streamlining hardware lines could ease user transition between devices and create clearer roles for each product.
While waiting for a complete merge between iPad and Mac devices has been a long-standing hope, the current advances signal progress. For now, users may still need to rely on both devices, but Apple appears to be steadily closing the gap with each software update.