5 Powerful Galaxy Tablets That Can Replace Your Chromebook

Since their introduction, Chromebooks have been a convenient alternative to traditional laptops, primarily because they provide users with an easy way to access the Internet, edit documents, and perform other tasks without investing in a laptop. This is largely due to ChromeOS, which offers a simple interface to users. However, these devices are not always ideal for people wanting to perform more complex tasks.

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

Even with these drawbacks, many Galaxy tablets have enough processing power and features to serve as an alternative to Chromebooks, especially for everyday tasks. With this in mind, we’ve 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 display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing enough space to work with multiple 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 allows users to use the device with an interface similar to that of a traditional computer. So if you have a mouse and keyboard, you can organize your applications in windows, create different workspaces or even connect to an external monitor. DeX has several uses for Galaxy owners, including turning the tablet into a laptop.

But the price of the Tab S11 Ultra poses a barrier. You can find the 256GB version for around $1,299 with no discount, while the Chromebooks Plus cost less than $500. You also usually have to purchase a keyboard and mouse separately, which increases the total cost. But in terms of performance, the Galaxy has the edge.

Another option, if you want to save money and get a smaller tablet than the S11 Ultra, is the regular S11, which remains a viable alternative. Although it’s priced higher than an $899 Chromebook, it has additional features that make it more flexible. This tablet also has the same MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset as the Ultra, but with 12GB of RAM.

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

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

Like several Samsung tablets, it comes with an S Pen, allowing you to better use its touchscreen without relying solely on your finger. This way you will be able to better use the 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 2960 x 1848.

Although it launched at $1,200, it can already be found 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 save a little compared to an S11 Ultra, this model is a good alternative.

With a starting price of $1,099.99, the Galaxy Tab S10+ isn’t really an affordable alternative to Chromebooks, especially since for a little more you can pick up one from the S11 line. However, at promotional prices, you can still find it at a good price, since the tablet is already sold for less than $800. So, at this price range, it makes a lot more sense for anyone who wants a portable device.

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

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

For anyone who wants a more affordable model that rivals a Chromebook, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is another option. More modest than other devices in the S10 and even S11 ranges, it sells for $699, but some promotions have already brought it down to around $450. Additionally, 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’re using a keyboard or mouse. Still, replacing a laptop has limitations, especially if you want to run more complex programs or handle multiple tasks at once. However, for anyone who needs to rely on 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 that can competently handle tasks that many users also usually do on a Chromebook. So we first considered basic usage, like editing documents, participating in video calls, and watching videos. We also considered the specifications of each tablet, choosing those with at least 8GB of RAM, large screens, and features focused on user productivity.

We’ve also taken price variations into account for this listing. Many of Samsung’s high-end models cost significantly more than a Chromebook, but promotional pricing makes the comparison fairer. For this reason, we also considered some older models, like the S10 FE, which can still work 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, including the S Pen, which makes touchscreen navigation easier.