Gadget Wrap: Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, Fortis Foldable Walking Pad
Tech giant Samsung is laying down the gauntlet to its rivals with a spectacular new device, while a new type of treadmill craze begins.
Welcome to this week’s Gadget Wrap.
This week Korean tech giant Samsung has unleashed an absolutely massive new tablet and a new walking pad craze is underway in Australia.
Let’s get stuck in shall we?
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
Samsung is laying down the gauntlet to its rivals with a spectacular new tablet that feels ready to challenge Apple’s iPad Pro.
I’ve always been a bit ambivalent when it comes tablets. I feel like I can get most of my screentime fix from a phone, laptop or TV. I also feel they’ve been use as a brainwashing tool for young kids by lazy parents, so our family iPad is collecting dust in the spare room.
However, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, which retails from around $2000, is certainly not a kids’ toy. With a massive OLED display, major performance upgrades and better multi-tasking tools, this is easily Samsung’s biggest and boldest tablet yet.
The 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is like having a TV screen you can take with you anywhere.
That is a lot bigger than the standard 11-inch screen tablets most of us are used to and it’s both a good and a bad thing.
The good news is that the screen is awesome for entertainment. Colours are punchy, blacks are inky, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling silky smooth whether you’re sketching with the pen that comes provided, watching YouTube or editing photos.
Beyond the huge screen, Samsung’s latest Snapdragon X Elite chip delivers serious power. Apps open instantly, multi-tasking is effortless, and creative work feels fluid. If you attach a keyboard cover — which you would have to buy separately.for around $400 — it makes a powerful alternative to a laptop.
Samsung’s DeX mode, which turns the tablet interface into a desktop-like workspace, is now smoother and more intuitive. You can run multiple windows, drag and drop between apps, and even hook up a monitor for a near-PC experience. The massive screen makes all this easy to do too.
The downsides
The main issue I have with this tablet is the main thing that makes it stand out, its size. I feel like if you want to work on a laptop, you can just buy one for a similar price or even cheaper, considering you have to buy the keyboard separately.
It’s also too big and bulky to carry around comfortably in one hand which means it’s not as handy to lug around as a standard-sized tablet.
I feel like one of the main selling points of a tablet is portability so this for me is a big drawback of the Ultra model. The standard Tab S11 might be a better fit if you want something you and easily hold onto and move from room-to-room.
It really comes down to what you want the tablet for. If you want something big and bold to watch movies on while your better half is watching TV, as well as something that doubles as a powerful laptop — this is a pretty neat device, but it’s perhaps too big for most peoples’ tablet needs.
Fortis Foldable Walking Pad Treadmill
The next device is something a bit different and it allows you to get more steps in while working from home — the Fortis Foldable Walking Pad.
It’s basically a treadmill that is compact and folds flat enough to slide under a bed or couch. It retails from about $380.
I’ve always liked the idea of having a treadmill in my home office so I can burn some calories while working — and this is not as big or cumbersome as a standard machine.
It’s pretty easy to set up too — just unfold, plug in and go.
I really like this device because it’s super simple too. The LED display tracks time, distance and calories, while a small remote lets you control speed up to 6km/h — which is fast enough for a brisk walk while answering emails or watching TV.
It’s pretty light too. At around 25kg, it’s light enough to move but sturdy enough to feel stable. It also runs quietly and has cushioning to keep your joints happy, which is good for ageing men like this author.
Fitness freaks beware, it is specifically designed for steady, low-impact walking rather than running. So if you want to become the WFH Usain Bolt, this is not for you. There are also no handles or incline options.
At under $500, it’s a fraction of the cost of most smart treadmills, and still feels sturdy enough to last. I will say that, even though it’s compact, you will still need a fair bit of space so you can move your arms around while walking.
They say that men can’t multitask but I found this a decent way to get s**t done while keeping fit at home.
The walking pad is available on Kogan.
Originally published as Gadget Wrap: Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, Fortis Foldable Walking Pad
