All iPads Analysis - Why iPadOS 26 is a step backwards UX-wise

[Ctrlos]

I use my iPad Pro for all sorts of work tasks but very rarely do I ever even need more than one app on display at a time. I prefer the 11” chassis because I associate anything bigger as a desktop size.

Ironically the only time I really need it is when I have Safari open next to Meet or Zoom so I can casually browse the net when somebody is rambling during a large video call!

 

[maflynn]

I use my iPad Pro for all sorts of work tasks but very rarely do I ever even need more than one app on display at a time

That's my take as well

 

[throAU]

I wonder how many iPad users hook up to an external display? Doesn’t that kinda negate the portability of iPad?

(Although I use my M2 Air with our TV to watch subscription services. Our sole TV is old and kinda dumb, and our homes are Starlink only.)

Probably not many in the past but iOS 26 makes it a lot more useful when hooked up to a display, particularly with the M series equipped ipads.

It opens up a lot more viable workflows.

If you're not using an external display - windowing is pretty pointless (and i generally turn stage manager OFF in that situation).

Maybe the 13" ipads make it more viable on the built in display, but as above i go for 11" ipads, as my 14" macbook pro already covers the larger form factor work.

 

[AlanMarron]

Probably not many in the past but iOS 26 makes it a lot more useful when hooked up to a display, particularly with the M series equipped ipads.

It opens up a lot more viable workflows.

If you're not using an external display - windowing is pretty pointless (and i generally turn stage manager OFF in that situation).

Maybe the 13" ipads make it more viable on the built in display, but as above i go for 11" ipads, as my 14" macbook pro already covers the larger form factor work.

IMHO, the windowing system’s utility is proportional to the size of the screen. It’s marginally useful on an 11” and completely useless without a pencil on a mini. YMMV

 

[Royal Gala]

However, bringing this comparison to the extreme: an Apple Watch Ultra is more expensive than a Mac mini. There are many things a Mac can do that an Apple Watch can’t or does worse, but also the other way around! It’s the same with the iPad.

This annalogy doesn’t work as these are two totes different products: a smart watch vs a computer. In contrast, the iPad is explicitly marketed as a computer “what’s a computer”

 

[snipr125]

This annalogy doesn’t work as these are two totes different products: a smart watch vs a computer. In contrast, the iPad is explicitly marketed as a computer “what’s a computer”

Imo a computer is any device with a motherboard, cpu, gpu, internal storage, ram, I/O ports and OS. Built in screen is optional.