With laptops a standard issue for most large workplaces and the first thing most people think about when setting up their own home office setup, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the vast range of tablets that sit on retail shelves just begging to be considered for a job they are well, if not overqualified for.

You’re thinking, mate, I need a laptop so I can use all the software I need for my job.  OK, sure.

You’re also thinking I need a laptop because when I’m at the office I have a nice big monitor along with a keyboard and mouse to make work a breeze.

But what if you could do all that, and more?

I’ve long thought it was an area many businesses and their IT departments overlook; the work-issued laptop could easily be replaced by a work-issued tablet.  Likewise, people who contact me saying their laptop is getting old or isn’t working, so which one should they buy, are shocked when I suggest considering a tablet.

So let’s return to school debate class, and let me make the case for the humble tablet.

Underpinning the tablet’s versatility is, of course, portability – lightweight, super thin, and just so easy to put in your bag or backpack to be able to grab your tablet, press a single power button, and get straight into your emails is something still remarkable.

Then add to that the multimodal AI1 we now have on a Samsung Galaxy devices like the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra that I’ve been trying lately, and you have the world at your fingertips or voice at any time.  Play into that AI world by tapping into everything that Google’s Gemini2 AI offers, and you can simply point the tablet camera at something like a full-page document and ask it to “Summarise this and save to Samsung Notes,” where you can then take your own action and additional notes.

OK, sure, your laptop can also do some great AI stuff, but the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra’s camera and portability make the tablet a touch more powerful in many situations.

Next, throw in the Samsung S Pen, which on compatible tablets allows you to make your own easy notes and perhaps more powerfully markup and annotate any documents you’re working on with your team.

On the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, the newly redesigned S Pen has a familiar hexagonal design with a new cone-shaped tip for increased tilt angles for a more natural writing and drawing style.

However, the true power of a tablet as a laptop replacement comes from one of Samsung’s best but least known features – DeX.3  Short for “Desktop Experience”, DeX converts the Samsung One UI Android experience into a workspace more familiar to those using a desktop computer.

Apps are windowed on the screen, can overlap, be easily switched between, as well as interacted with together for simple tasks like dragging and dropping through to copy and paste.

When you have a full-sized monitor on your desk, either at the office or at home, DeX really comes into its own.

I tested this with the stunning new Samsung Smart Monitor M9 – a 32-inch smart screen which, frankly, is the perfect home-office monitor thanks to its integrated operating system familiar to those who have used a Samsung TV – all your streaming apps accessible via a remote, but also, a simple USB-C to USB-C cable connection between your Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and the M9 monitor and you’re in desktop mode thanks to DeX.4

Pair a keyboard and mouse with your tablet and I’d challenge anyone to show me something a laptop can do that this tablet can’t.  I’ve got YouTube open in one window to keep me entertained while I work on a document with my emails also open in a window so I can keep an eye on them.

Just like I would on any desktop or laptop computer, you can use both the tablet and the monitor screen and move items and apps between them with ease.

Think about it for a moment.  You’ve got a workplace with monitors and keyboards on every desk, most people turn up with their laptop and plug in.  Now use the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra in the exact same scenario and there’s no difference to your workday.

When you finish though, your tablet is thin and light to carry home, and when you get home you’ve got a 14.6-inch screen to enjoy your favourite streaming shows on while you relax!

While the Smart Monitor M9 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra are the perfect pairing, another option is the affordable Galaxy Tab A11+, which still offers a fantastic 11-inch screen and the latest DeX compatibility for a similar desktop experience (although it doesn’t have the dual-screen setup) with a price tag starting from $379!

If you have kids, you can get the Kids Edition (currently available on Samsung.com only), which comes with a standard Galaxy Tab A11+ plus additional kid-centric accessories including a colourful puffy case for the Galaxy Tab A11+, a kids touch pen with tether so they won’t lose it, a key ring, and some fun stickers. You can easily switch the tablet (or any recent Samsung Galaxy device) to Kids mode,5 so they can play and learn in a protected and fun environment with curated kids apps. They won’t have won’t have access to your other apps, contacts content, with all access managed via parental controls.

There’s no excuse not to consider consolidating your device life with a tablet as your primary workplace machine.

This article was written with the support of Samsung Australia.  Supported Editorial not only helps us pay the bills and feed our families, it helps us write articles about things we’d love to share but perhaps otherwise couldn’t prioritise the time for!

1 Requires internet connection. May not work on all visual or audio elements.

2 Gemini is a trademark of Google LLC. Requires internet connection and Google Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model. Works on compatible apps. Features may differ depending on subscription and results may vary. Set up may be required for certain functions or apps. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

3 Samsung DeX supported on selected Galaxy, Note, and Tab devices only. Samsung DeX app only downloadable on PC and Mac. Requires compatible monitor PC or Mac computer. Keyboard, mouse and USB-C to HDMI cable sold separately. Requires download of app and internet connection.

4 Samsung DeX wireless connection is supported with TVs that support Android smart phone screen mirroring(Miracast) only. There may be a difference in performance depending on TV’s specifications and WiFi environment. Recommended to use Samsung Smart TVs launched after ’19.

5 Samsing Kids mode requires Google Family Centre on both devices. To use Google Family Link, download the App from the Google Play Store. Google Family Link feature requires internet connection and Google account login.