For a month, I used tablets in place of my perform computer. I tested both laptop and desktop modes with an external monitor, and investigated whether they could replace laptops in 2026.
The first iPad was introduced in 2010, and immediately after its debut, discussion began about whether it could replace laptops. The possibility of tablets fulfilling this role has been frequently predicted, with annual articles questioning whether tablets had finally matured enough to supplant computers.
Fifteen years after the iPad’s introduction, that hasn’t happened, but that didn’t stop me from setting an iPad Pro and a Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra side-by-side and using them as a computer replacement for a month. And right from the start, I can say that tablets are closer to computers than ever before. But is that enough?
The Tab S11 Ultra and iPad Pro, top-of-the-line tablets with Android and iPadOS.
Hardware is No Longer a Barrier
I tested the iPad Pro in its highest configuration, with a nanotexture display, the Apple Pencil Pro, and the Magic Keyboard. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra 5G was also tested in its highest configuration, paired with the Book Cover Keyboard Slim.
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Both devices represent the pinnacle of tablet offerings from Apple and Samsung. There’s no need to discuss build quality or performance – they represent the most refined hardware currently available in the tablet category.
Both tablets feature remarkably thin designs, giving them a futuristic aesthetic. Imagine the display of your laptop, remove the base, and you have a modern tablet, like the two models I tested. Manufacturers have managed to pack incredibly powerful hardware into these slim form factors.
The iPad Pro is equipped with the Apple M5 chip, featuring a 9-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. Combined with a 16-core Neural Engine for AI and machine learning tasks, it’s a more powerful machine than many mid-range laptops. The Samsung features the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, which is comparatively less powerful on paper, but both tablets are significantly over-equipped for most tasks. The potential for demanding use as a laptop replacement is certainly there.
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