AllYouCanTech

Converting Your iPad into a MacBook Option

the sole Apple laptop worth purchasing). Although it can be done, utilizing an iPad as a computer simply lacks the same experience. You can’t resize windows, conveniently save and access folders, nor employ a precise mouse cursor, which feels incredibly intuitive when operating a laptop. That was the situation until Apple unveiled the latest iPadOS 26 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. While it isn’t available for download just yet, iPadOS 26 Beta 8 can now be accessed.

The updated iPadOS introduces desktop functionalities to the iPad — at last. The most prominent enhancement is the ability to have multiple windows open at once, with the capability to resize them like on a desktop. A menu bar is also now accessible by swiping down from the screen’s top. If you intend to utilize the iPad for work tasks, the freshly overhauled Files app may pique your interest. You can now assign color codes to your files and use emojis to simplify their identification, plus folders feature an enhanced list view. Moreover, you can designate default applications for each file type, which can save you considerable time when working with particular files regularly. And indeed, there is now a precise mouse cursor.

All in all, the new iPadOS 26 makes it increasingly feasible to adopt it as a laptop alternative. Although the update includes other features, like the Liquid Glass UI that Apple has teased for over a year, the desktop-oriented functionalities are the real highlight. Here’s how to transform your iPad into a substitute for a MacBook.