Has Apple finally nailed the iPad?
Until recently, we heard lots of complaints about the software being the iPad’s key weakness.
People loved the hardware, but iPadOS let the tablets down. The iPad can’t do proper multitasking, critics said. It has poor file management. Apps aren’t desktop-class.
But since last year’s iPadOS 26, which made iPad much more like a Mac — with a flexible windowing system, Mac-like menus, mouse controls and more — the critics seem to have gone mum. Or they are much quieter, anyway.
Lately, I haven’t heard much bleating about the iPad’s software holding it back.
These days, the iPad’s weakness seems to be hardware again.
Take the basic iPad, which doesn’t have the oomph to run Apple Intelligence, which is increasingly going to become a core part of how we use our devices.
That’s going to change soon, as Apple refreshes the entire iPad lineup.
That’s right, later this year and in 2027, every iPad model will receive some kind of upgrade. Here’s what’s coming and when.
Also in today’s newsletter:
The reasoning behind this new Hide My Email lawsuit seems completely spurious: It’s probably going to be wildly successful.
Wow: This Kickstarter keychain charger will pack some serious wallop with 30W of power. Why’s it so ugly though?
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: These smart light bulbs are compatible with Apple HomeKit and a bunch of other platforms. They’re a really quick and easy way to add smart lighting to your home. #affiliate
I wanted the 17-inch sunflower iMac so bad when it came out. It seemed so futuristic, with its crazy design and massive screen. It’s horribly dated now, but there’s still something really special about it.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
Cult of Mac’s buyback program
A message from Porkbun
Domain Names + Web and Email Hosting For Less
Still paying GoDaddy or Namecheap prices? Porkbun sells most domains at cost for low, transparent registration and renewal pricing with no nonsense. Get free features like WHOIS privacy and SSL certificates, plus real human support 24/7, 365 days a year. Save $1 on your next domain name now.
Tweets of the day
Wallpaper of the day
One more thing ...
We had the classic Marxian profit-realization crisis, in that our profit wasn’t in a liquid currency, our profit was in 50 computers sitting in the corner. So then, all of a sudden, we had to think, “Wow! How are we going to realize our profit?” And so we started thinking about distribution: “Are there any other computer stores?” And we started calling the other computer stores that we’d heard of across the country, and we just eased into business that way.
Today’s poll
Has Apple indeed finally nailed iPad?
Results from yesterday’s poll:
Best reader comments
Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.