5 Powerful Galaxy Tablets That Can Replace Your Chromebook

Since their launch, Chromebooks have been a practical alternative to traditional laptops, mainly because they offer an easy way for users to access the internet, edit documents, and do other tasks without investing in a laptop. Much of this is thanks to ChromeOS, which offers a simple interface for users. However, these devices aren’t always ideal for people who want to do more complex tasks.

Samsung’s Galaxy tablets take a different approach, combining portability with productivity-focused features. You can also attach keyboards and mice, and they support DeX, so they can do things just like a Chromebook or even better. But a tablet can’t replace a traditional laptop without its limitations, especially in app compatibility.

Even with these drawbacks, many Galaxy tablets have enough processing power and features to serve as alternatives to Chromebooks, especially for everyday tasks. With that in mind, we selected five Samsung models as options for users, depending on what they want to do with the device.

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is one of the most powerful devices Samsung has ever made, equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ and up to 16GB of RAM. It also comes with a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing enough space to work with several apps at the same time. Compared to entry-level Chromebooks, the device also offers advantages for image editing and other activities that benefit from a touchscreen.

Samsung’s tablet lineup also includes DeX, a tool that lets users use the device with an interface similar to a traditional computer. So, if you have a mouse and keyboard, you can organize your apps into windows, create different workspaces, or even connect to an external monitor. DeX has several uses for Galaxy owners, especially for turning the tablet into a laptop.

But the Tab S11 Ultra’s price is an obstacle. You can find the 256GB version for around $1299 without discounts, while Chromebooks Plus cost less than $500. You also usually need to buy a keyboard and mouse separately, which increases the total cost. But in terms of performance, the Galaxy has the advantage.

Another option, if you want to save money and get a smaller tablet than the S11 Ultra, is the regular S11, which is still a viable alternative. Though its price is higher than that of a Chromebook at $899, it has additional capabilities that make it more flexible. This tablet also has the same MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset as the Ultra one, but with 12GB of RAM.

Moreover, it offers more portability than the S11 Ultra, since this model comes with an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen instead of the 14.6-inch on the flagship, while still running at 120 Hz. You’ll be able to edit documents, watch videos, and surf the internet through the smaller display, without having to lose out on portability. With the right accessories, you can also turn the tablet into a more traditional workstation. The other good thing about the device is that it has the same weight of 469 grams as its predecessor, with the inclusion of the S Pen.

Samsung’s previous-generation tablets still deliver good performance, even if they do not have the latest chips. The Tab S10 Ultra, with a Dimensity 9300+ chipset and up to 16GB of RAM, is still enough for the device to work with several tools at the same time. It also includes a USB-C port for connecting to external monitors.

As with several Samsung tablets, it comes with an S Pen, so you can make better use of its touchscreen without relying only on your finger. This way, you can make better use of the 14,6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2960 x 1848. 

Although it launched at $1,200, you can already find it at lower prices on the second-hand market. On Best Buy, for example, you can find open-box models starting at $951. So, for anyone who wants a large screen and to save a little compared to an S11 Ultra, this model is a good alternative.

With a starter price of $1099,99, the Galaxy Tab S10+ is not exactly an affordable alternative to Chromebooks, especially considering that for a little more, you can buy one from the S11 lineup. However, at promotional prices, you can still find it at a good discount, since the tablet already sold for less than $800. So, in this price range, it makes much more sense for anyone who wants a portable device.

It doesn’t fall behind other models in the same lineup, or even the S11, in terms of performance, since it comes with a Dimensity 9300+ and 12GB of RAM.You can keep several apps open at the same time without feeling like the device is freezing. In terms of processing power, you will get much better performance than many entry-level Chromebooks.

Its screen also strikes a balance between being too large or too small for the user. It keeps the Dynamic AMOLED technology that Samsung uses in its devices, but measures 12.4 inches, with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Like other devices in the lineup, you can also get it with an S Pen, although you need to buy the keyboard and mouse separately.

For anyone who wants a more affordable model that competes with a Chromebook, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is another option. More modest than the other devices in the S10 and even S11 lineups, it sells for $699, but some promotions have already brought it down to around $450. In addition, the hardware is more mid-range, with the Exynos 1580 and options with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, which is enough for moderate use.

You can still work with more than two windows on this device’s 13.1-inch screen, especially if you use a keyboard or mouse. Still, replacing a laptop has limitations, especially if you want to run more complex programs or manage several tasks at once. However, for anyone who needs to rely on the cloud and portability, the S10 FE+ balances these features better than Samsung’s Premium models and several Chromebooks.

To put together this list, we prioritized Galaxy tablets capable of competently handling the tasks that many users also usually perform on a Chromebook. So, we first considered basic use, such as editing documents, participating in video calls, and watching videos. We also considered each tablet’s specs, choosing those with at least 8 GB of RAM, large screens, and features focused on user productivity.

We also considered price variation for this list. Many Samsung premium models cost considerably more than a Chromebook, but promotional prices make a comparison fairer. For that reason, we also considered some older models, such as the S10 FE, which can still perform well for intermediate tasks but have a more affordable price range for users and might be cheaper on the second-hand market. Another factor was portability, screen quality, and included accessories, especially the S Pen, which helps with touchscreen navigation.