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I gave iPadOS 26 a full summer trial - my verdict on using it as a MacBook alternative

This software upgrade feels like the one a lot of iPad enthusiasts have been waiting for.

Jason Hiner/ZDNET In iPadOS 26, the addition of a Mac-like windowing system, a menu bar, a real cursor, and a much-improved Files app makes the iPad a lot better for getting work done. While iPadOS 26 makes the iPad a much more complete device, power users shouldn't expect to get productivity benefits versus using a Mac. I was thrilled to see that iPadOS 26 replaced the dot with a triangular arrow that looks and feels much more like a real mouse and is a lot more precise for working with the new windowing system and digging through the new menu bar.

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