The iPadOS 27 Ultimate Wishlist - Why the iPad Still Can't Replace Your Mac in 2025

A comprehensive analysis of the features and capabilities Apple continues to withhold from iPadOS

Ten years ago, Apple asked us "What's a computer?" in that infamous memorable iPad Pro commercial. Today, as we navigate iPadOS 26, that question feels more like a taunt than a promise. Despite incremental improvements year after year, the iPad remains tantalizingly close to being a true laptop replacement, yet frustratingly far from achieving that goal for power users and professionals.

After spending considerable time with iPadOS 26, I've compiled what I'm calling the "Ultimate Wishlist" – a comprehensive list of features that would finally bridge the gap between the iPad's incredible hardware and its artificially limited software. This isn't just another complaint about the Files app (though we could certainly have that conversation). This is about fundamental capabilities that Apple continues to withhold, turning what should be a productivity powerhouse into an expensive content consumption device for many users.