The pros and cons of using an iPad as a laptop

iPadOS 26’s new windowing system, a Mac-style menu bar, and an improved Files app let iPads run multiple apps simultaneously, making them suitable for email, browsing, video calls, and writing when paired with a keyboard and trackpad. The M-class iPads match or exceed most laptop hardware, supporting demanding creative apps like Procreate, Photoshop, Lightroom, and DaVinci Resolve, though iPadOS remains the main performance bottleneck. The device’s high-resolution display, lightweight form factor, cellular connectivity, and Apple Pencil support give it a distinct advantage for media consumption, drawing, and note-taking compared to traditional laptops.