[Samsung Galaxy Tab S8] roirraW "edor" ehT:
Prepare yourself. WoT (Wall of Text) incoming.

First, Happy Birthday, whether it's late or soon.

Not bad at all. Awesome!

Root for me, always.

Yes. Click the yellow "How To Guide" quick filter at the top of the list of threads in this section and you'll find a thread with directions on how to root in the first place and how to update while rooted. TL;DR: From memory, the process is nearly identical - one of the differences between first-time root of the device versus updating is flashing one particular file instead of another particular file.

See above answer for guide(s). It all depends on what you want out of root. I like full backups of every single app and app data including system apps. There are other things but I can't remember off the top of my head regarding root of Samsung devices - on my Pixel 6 Pro there are six or a dozen things I definitely like root for.

Edit: Just remember something else I like root for, but I'll cover that below (two questions down) in my answer to your accessories/hub question.

I think I saw one also here you'd likely find in this section with either the "How To Guide" or "General" quick filter. I rarely debloat anymore, but my main mobile device being a Pixel I don't have any reason to want to debloat, and on my Samsung, I'd rather not micro-manage and take the chance I'll hinder some capability that I would normally have, and now I would have to troubleshoot what I debloated that I shouldn't have. Plus firmware/system apps change, and what's safe or not safe may change. It's just too much. I used to debloat like crazy, but I just don't anymore.

No. If they're all USB-C or you have reliable adapters to use them with USB-C, then you're set. The only possible reason I could think is if you want a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) compatible hub that handles at least 45 watts so that you can externally power your hub and have the hub in turn charge your tablet at full power. I like the capability plus I wanted to be very minorly future-proof (no such thing) so I got a 100-watt GAN generation 3 three-port PD compatible charger, and a 100-watt USB-C hub where the hub's cable is a regular detachable USB-C <-> USB-C cable.

There's only one USB-C port on the tablet, so if you need to use a hub and charge the tablet at the same time, a PD-compatible charger and hub that support at least 45 watts would be ideal. Your mileage may vary with lower wattage of either.

Note that I treat my batteries relatively carefully. For all my devices, I try to not let go below 25%, I don't fast charge unless I really need to (so very rarely for my usage), and I only charge the device up to 75%.

Now for how this is related to root. I use something called ACC along with a GUI-front end app called AccA that allows you, using root, to turn off charging the device automatically when it reaches a top % you configure, and not charge the device until it's a low % you configure - more or less.

See above. Tablet handles up to 45-watt, but you can use lower. I don't quick/fast charge my devices at all unless I really have a particular need to.

As you probably know, the tablet does not come with a charger. I don't even know if the USB-C cable it comes with handles 45-watt, or if it supports data speeds faster than USB 2.0. I have a surplus of previous plus new OEM and third-party cables.

Hmmmm. I don't have a great amount of experience with this. For heavy-duty (great quantity and/or size) transfers I only use cable. I've used X-plore File Manager's Wi-Fi mode to transfer wirelessly but only small files normally, and it's done fine. Maybe someone else has more experience.

Heck no. Nova Launcher (Prime) FTW and forever as far as I'm concerned. I used to try new devices' OEM launchers and other third-party ones, but I don't even bother anymore. I actually restored my phone's Nova Launcher (built-in app) backup to my tablet and will tweak from there when I have time. I like having the same things available at the same places on every device I use, and from old devices to new devices.

I haven't had any successful experience with DEX period, so I can't speak to that.

This is my first Samsung tablet, and only the second Android tablet I've ever bought for myself (and my wife). The other was back in 2014-2015 - the LG G-Pad 8.3.

You're welcome! Hope this helps and you enjoy whichever decision you make. Good luck!

WrT