Tablets replacing laptops for real work has been promised for close to a decade without quite delivering. After a full week using only the Slate Air paired with its keyboard case for work — writing, email, video calls, and light photo editing — it’s the closest that promise has come to actually holding up.
What changed: trackpad and file management
Proper trackpad cursor support with the same precision as a laptop, combined with a genuine hierarchical file manager (rather than an app-siloed file system), removed the two biggest friction points that made previous tablets frustrating for real work. Dragging files between apps, managing downloads, and connecting to network drives all worked the way they would on a laptop.
Display and design
The 11-inch OLED display’s 120Hz refresh rate makes both scrolling and Apple Pencil-style stylus input feel notably smoother than the LCD panel on the previous generation, and at 460 grams it remains comfortable to hold one-handed for reading, unlike most laptops in the same performance class.
Performance
The chipset handles multitasking with several split-screen apps open, light photo editing, and video calls without slowdown. Video export and more demanding creative work is noticeably slower than a comparable laptop, a reasonable limitation given the form factor and thermal constraints of a fanless design.
Battery life
A full workday of writing, email, video calls, and web browsing used roughly 55% of a full charge, comfortably lasting a full day without needing a midday top-up — a genuine advantage over most laptops in the same class.
Where it still falls short of a laptop
Software that requires desktop-class applications (full video editing suites, some professional creative tools) either isn’t available or runs in a limited mobile version. For anyone whose work depends on specific desktop software, the Slate Air can supplement but not fully replace a laptop.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Trackpad and file management finally close the laptop-replacement gap for most everyday work, excellent battery life, bright and smooth display
- Cons: Desktop-class creative software still unavailable or limited, slower than a laptop for demanding export tasks
Verdict
For writing-, communication-, and browsing-heavy work, the Slate Air genuinely can replace a laptop for extended stretches, something that wasn’t really true of tablets even two or three years ago. Whether it works for you specifically depends heavily on whether your job requires desktop-only software.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy the keyboard case separately?
Yes, the keyboard case is sold separately from the tablet itself, and it’s effectively required for the laptop-replacement use case described in this review — the on-screen keyboard alone isn’t a substitute for extended typing.