My ageing 2011 desktop called it a day last year while the new one still doesn’t have a webcam. The workhorse around the house is a shared — but iffy — laptop while the other devices currently in action are smartphones of different screen sizes. Discussing the topic over dinner brought up a relevant question from a nine-year-old: “Papa, why don’t you use my computer?” No, she didn’t mean the desktop. She meant a tablet, which has proved to be a master entertainer in the last couple of months. More specifically, it’s the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6. Can the tablet actually replace the laptop?

Productivity dream machine

Tablets and iPads keep flowing in but the last time I tried using a tablet as a replacement for laptop was three years ago and it proved beneficial for surfing and watching movies. That mindset needs to change because the Tab S6 proves to be a productivity dream machine. The big question is to switch or not to switch. First, laptops and tablets excel in different ways. Looking beyond hardware, an Android tablet is about apps while the laptop has a keyboard, supporting powerful programmes with more features.

Here’s the deal. I type a lot but don’t disregard the amount of typing a nine-year-old needs to do. Keeping the Tab S6 company is a keyboard folio case (needs to be bought separately) and the S Pen stylus. There are English compositions that need to be keyed in, maths homework is in plenty and there is second language, geography, history, science… a lot of keying in. The keyboard is amazingly good.

It attaches via magnets and a pogo pin connector while the back cover comes with a kickstand and attaches separately to the tablet. Agreed that the keyboard has a smaller layout but that doesn’t come in the way of typing comfort and there is support for functions keys. We are not done. A bonus on the keyboard is a small trackpad which is superb.

Flip to the other end of the age spectrum. For a kid there is all that typing while for grown-ups, there is the productivity tool called DeX, which basically lets you run desktop-like versions of mobile apps, complete with multiple windows. Spreadsheets, multiple browser windows, typing comfort… it’s not a bad place to be in.

Take your pick

The tablet runs on Android while my laptop on Windows. For a grown-up the jump from a laptop to a tablet can be a difficult one but for a nine-year-old this is, well, a computer. If a person spends a lot of time with Google’s apps and services, frankly, an Android tablet works great. There are many users who like to populate the screen with an insane number of widgets, which works for them. We are doing plenty of videoconferencing, a lot of work involves around spreadsheets, there’s much in way of taking notes and then there are unending streaming sessions. The Tab S6 can handle all of this with any hiccup.

The Tab S6 scores big on a number of fronts. First, it’s portable and easy to maintain. Second, there is emphasis on full-screen apps, which means switching less between programmes, which happens often while using a traditional desktop. Third, and most importantly, once the user has found all his or her favourite apps and has completed transferring data, it’s time to crash on a sofa without a bulky keyboard.

What the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 has shown when #WFH is a reality is that ditching the laptop doesn’t mean making big compromises. This one is bigger than a phone. And yes, it’s a cuddly introduction to computers for many kids.

Pre-booking offers

Samsung has made arrangements across its retail and distribution channel to help pre-book consumer electronics products (televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines and smart ovens). Once you have booked the product on Samsung Shop online, express deliveries will be done from the nearest Samsung authorised retailer. Pre-booked orders till May 8 will get up to 15 per cent cashback, and avail no-cost EMIs with long-term finance options of up to 18 months. On the smartphone side, the company has announced a limited period e-voucher offer worth Rs 4,000 for customers who have pre-booked Samsung’s Galaxy S20 flagship devices. Those who purchase and activate their S20 devices till May 20, are eligible and these vouchers can be used to purchase any other Galaxy product available on Samsung.com