iPadOS 26 Multitasking FIX! Is the New iPad Pro Finally Better Than MacBook Air

Apple has finally fixed multitasking on the iPad with iPadOS 26 multitasking, making the iPad a real laptop replacement for the first time. The new update makes the iPad’s interface feel more like a MacBook. But there is a big question: is it better to buy the new iPad Pro or the new M4 MacBook Air?

Right now, the new M4 MacBook Air is available for just $850 on Amazon. It has 16GB RAM and the fastest performance ever seen in a MacBook Air thanks to the M4 chip. On the other hand, the new M4 iPad Pro, especially the 13-inch model, costs $1,179 but only comes with 8GB RAM. If you want to use it like a laptop, you’ll also need the Magic Keyboard case, which costs another $270. So the total cost for the iPad Pro setup is around $1,449 much more than the MacBook Air.

For just $850, the MacBook Air gives you a full macOS experience with great specs, which is hard to beat. But before you decide, let’s look at six big reasons why you might still pick the iPad Pro instead of the MacBook Air.

 6 Reasons to Pick iPadOS 26 Multitasking with iPad Pro

Better Display:

The new iPad Pro has an Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED tech. It’s one of the best displays ever made, with bright colors and deep blacks, unlike the MacBook Air’s LCD display which shows grey instead of true black in the dark. The iPad Pro has up to 1,000 nits of normal brightness (and up to 1,600 nits for HDR) while the MacBook Air only has 500 nits. The iPad Pro also has a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, while the Air stays at 60Hz. So, the iPad Pro’s screen is clearly better.

Touchscreen and Pencil:

The iPad Pro is a touchscreen device. MacBooks have never had touchscreens. With the iPad, you also get Apple Pencil support, which is great for artists and note-takers.

2-in-1 Device:

The iPad Pro works as both a tablet and a laptop. Just remove it from the Magic Keyboard and use it like a normal iPad. You can relax on your couch, watch movies, or read. The MacBook Air cannot do that.

Better for Gaming:

If you play games, the iPad Pro has a huge game library and good performance. Games run better on the iPad with touch controls compared to playing iOS games with a trackpad on the MacBook Air.

Back Camera and LiDAR:

The iPad Pro has a rear camera for photos, videos, or scanning documents. It also has a LiDAR sensor for AR (augmented reality) apps. The MacBook Air does not have this.

True Multitasking:

Thanks to iPadOS 26 multitasking, you finally get real multitasking like a Mac. No more clunky Stage Manager. Now you can resize windows, stack them, and use a proper menu bar. This gives you more control and makes the iPad feel like a real laptop.

H2: 7 Reasons to Pick the M4 MacBook Air

But the M4 MacBook Air also has big advantages:

More Ports:

The MacBook Air has more ports. You get MagSafe 3 for charging, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a headphone jack. The iPad Pro only has one Thunderbolt port, but the Magic Keyboard gives you a pass-through charging port. The MacBook also works with better docks and hubs, like the Mokin 7-in-1 HDMI dock which has USB-A, USB-C, wireless phone charging, and supports 4K 60Hz displays all at a good price.

Better for Work:

If you do video editing or use plugins, the MacBook Air is better. You get full desktop apps, better browser extensions, and more file format support. Many apps on iPadOS are limited versions.

Better for Watching Movies:

The MacBook Air’s 16:10 screen is better for watching movies and shows. The iPad Pro’s screen is more square, which leaves black bars when watching videos.

Better CPU:

The base MacBook Air has a full 10-core CPU. The iPad Pro has only 9 cores unless you pay extra for the 1TB version, which costs more but adds the extra core and more RAM.

Better External Display Support:

The MacBook Air can run two 6K external displays at once and supports high refresh rate monitors like 144Hz or 240Hz. The iPad Pro supports only one 6K monitor at 60Hz.

Better File Management:

The Mac’s Finder is much better than the Files app on iPad. You can open many tabs, drag files, and stay organized. MacOS also lets you run as many apps as you want. iPadOS 26 multitasking is better now but still limited to about 12 apps at once.

More App Options:

On the Mac, you can install any app from the web with .DMG files. The iPad Pro is locked to the App Store only. No sideloading.

 So, Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the best multitasking and full productivity, the M4 MacBook Air is the clear winner. It’s cheaper, faster, and more flexible with more ports, better displays, and no limits on apps or files.

But if you love the idea of a tablet and laptop in one, enjoy using the Apple Pencil, play games, or want a top display, then the iPad Pro with iPadOS 26 multitasking is worth it. It’s perfect for casual use and light work when needed.

What do you think? Which one would you choose? Let me know in the comments!