Introduction
Laptops remain a popular type of mobile personal computer, but tablet computers have always promised a slimmer alternative. If you have an Android tablet, can you replace your laptop with it? If you’re the right kind of user, yes!
Who This Isn’t Suitable For
Before you continue reading, you should be aware that if you need to run software designed for desktop computers on your laptop, utilizing an Android tablet as a substitute is unlikely to work.
Users who aren’t restricted to certain software for their jobs are the ideal candidates for a laptop-ectomy. So, as long as you can locate an Android app that accomplishes the same thing as the program you were using on your laptop, you’ll be OK. If you can’t locate one, there are workarounds.
Use an Android Tablet to Run a Remote Desktop App
We just said that you cannot run software designed for Windows, Linux, macOS, and other desktop operating systems on an Android tablet, but that may not be an issue if you have access to a reliable internet connection.
Instead of carrying a laptop, you may access your home or work computer using a remote desktop program on your Android tablet. If you don’t have a desktop computer, you may rent a virtual Windows, Linux, or macOS machine in the cloud and access it via tablet. It’s not a great solution since it relies on an internet connection.
However, if the programs you need anything other than Android for don’t need your continual attention to function (e.g., a datamining software or 3D renderer), you may come up with a suitable solution this way.
Seek for Desktop App Equivalents
To guarantee a smooth transition to utilizing a tablet as a laptop replacement, you should examine how you now use your laptop. What are the most common activities, what programs do you use, what features of those applications do you employ, and how much computer horsepower do you truly need on a daily basis?
Many desktop apps have excellent mobile versions. If you use Microsoft Word, Excel, or Powerpoint, for example, you’ll discover mobile versions of these programs that accomplish all most users need them to do. The same is true for picture and video editing, as well as other popular computer chores.
Accept the Dongle Life
The majority of new Android tablets have a USB-C connector as well as compatibility for OTG (On-The-Go) USB connections. This implies that the tablet may function as a USB host and interact with accessories like as USB docks, keyboards, and mouse.
You’ll probably want to connect these sorts of gadgets to your Android tablet if you want to use it as a laptop replacement. Simply conduct your research before purchasing any Android tablet. It is not a guarantee that the tablet’s USB ports will support OTG or provide enough power to operate anything like a dock.
Connect a Mouse and Keyboard
Android allows you to utilize a mouse and keyboard. You may connect them through Bluetooth in the same manner that you would attach any other Bluetooth peripheral. Simply set your mouse or keyboard into pairing mode (according to the instructions) and search for them in the list of accessible devices in Android’s Bluetooth menu. Simply slide down the Android shade from the top of the screen, then tap and hold the Bluetooth icon to access that list. The devices that are available should show in the following list.
Some tablets have a proprietary keyboard connection that may be paired with a clip-on keyboard offered by the same firm or one of its partners. In certain circumstances, this keyboard essentially transforms the tablet into something like the form factor of a laptop.
There are cases with an integrated keyboard and, on occasion, a touchpad. It may be ideal for you to opt for a case that enables you to modify the tilt of your laptop without having to set it up on a level surface.
Discover Android Multitasking
The ability to split your screen and master the art of Android multitasking is the most critical skill you need if you want to utilize your Android tablet as a laptop replacement. Different companies’ Android tablets will have their own unique launchers and multitasking capabilities, however standard Android has its own natural split-screen capability.
We can’t supply universal instructions since they are so varied, but the information should be in your user manual or a short Google search away.
Use the Desktop Mode (If Available)
Tablets with “desktop mode” provide an alternate user interface that resembles macOS or Windows and is simpler to use with a mouse and keyboard. This is a wonderful feature to look for if you want a more laptop-like experience.
For a long time, there have been whispers about a “desktop mode” in standard Android, with a beta version of the functionality concealed in both the Android 10 and 11 developer modes. While not every Android tablet has a native desktop mode, several manufacturers have created their own.
The most well-known example is Samsung’s DeX software, which turns a Samsung Android phone or tablet into something like a full-fledged desktop PC. Lenovo features a feature dubbed “productivity mode,” which is a basic desktop model without window management.
If you have an Android tablet that doesn’t have a desktop mode option, you may go to the Google Play store and download one of the applications that do. They’re not all ideal, but they’re all worth a shot.
Consider a 2-in-1 computer
Is it necessary to have an Android (or iOS) smartphone if you like the tablet form factor? Many 2-in-1 laptops on the market run the same software as a laptop but enable you to easily switch between laptop and tablet mode. They do this by converting or removing the keyboard. Learn more about these adaptable computers by reading our explanation.
