Apple CEO John Ternus ruled out merging Mac and iPad, confirming that the two platforms will stay separate even as the new touchscreen MacBook Pro arrives.
On Monday during a call with analysts after Apple's latest earnings report, the analyst asked whether the touchscreen MacBook signaled a move toward a unified operating system.
Ternus explained that Apple designs each product to be its best version, echoing the "spork" analogy that combining a spoon and fork makes both worse, a point software chief Craig Federighi highlighted in 2025.
While macOS, iPadOS, and iOS will remain distinct, Apple continues to share features across devices, such as bringing iPad's touchscreen and iPhone's Dynamic Island to the new MacBook Pro.
The decision reflects Apple's strategy of keeping separate ecosystems for optimal performance while still borrowing select features, suggesting users can expect more cross-device enhancements but not a single unified OS.