In the realm of iPad enthusiasts, opinions often diverge: some cherish the tablet’s current features, while others yearn for a Mac equipped with a touchscreen. Although macOS may not find its way onto the iPad anytime soon, there are indicators suggesting that Apple is working to narrow the divide between the tablet and its desktop counterpart.

Is iPadOS 19 Set to Enhance Multitasking on the iPad?

As reported by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, significant changes are anticipated in the upcoming iPadOS 19, focusing on enhancing productivity, multitasking, and the management of application windows. The intention appears to be to align the iPad’s functionality more closely with that of the Mac.

This development could be a game-changer for those who find iPadOS somewhat limited in its current form. While the iPad serves well for specific tasks, in practice, it often feels more suited for simple activities like web browsing, messaging, or media consumption, leading many users to revert to their MacBook for more complex use cases. Despite having evolved over 15 years, the iPad still operates within a digital landscape that generally favors desktop experiences.

Nevertheless, Apple has made notable strides over the years to provide a more desktop-like experience on the iPad. For instance, multitasking has undergone various enhancements, currently allowing two options: a basic setup featuring “Split View” for side-by-side app usage and a “Slide Over” for additional iOS-like window functionalities.

Alternatively, the introduction of Stage Manager with iPadOS 16.1 offers a more advanced multitasking approach, supporting up to four floating, resizable windows or even an external display for added flexibility. While this function mimics macOS more closely than previous versions, it still leaves users wishing for a more robust experience—persistent bugs and suboptimal window resizing detract from its usability. Initially, this feature appeared promising, but extensive use led to a preference for single-app functionality.

macOS Won’t be Coming to the iPad

While Gurman shares insights on Apple’s ambitions to align iPadOS more with macOS, he emphasizes a crucial point: Apple is unlikely to transfer the Mac operating system to the iPad. Each device will retain its respective OS, with the iPad continuing to operate on iPadOS. Although a macOS variant tailored specifically for iPads might seem appealing, Apple’s reluctance is likely driven by concerns over impacting Mac sales.

From Apple’s perspective, the ideal situation is to position the iPad as a competent device that encourages users to also invest in a Mac for tasks that the iPad isn’t equipped to handle. This model somewhat mirrors popular grocery stores: while customers value them for particular products, they often need to visit another store for items that aren’t available.

The upcoming enhancements for the iPad are still unclear, but improvements in multitasking and window management seem likely. Without fully converting to macOS, future versions of iPadOS might introduce window behaviors more akin to those found on desktops—new features could include multi-window support and a smoother app-switching experience without the frustrating unpredictability of window movement.

Any of these possibilities would significantly improve the current situation. A full-fledged Mac tablet would be a dream come true; however, if iPadOS 19 can enhance the iPad’s usability for computing tasks, that may well suffice.