Dell Launches Two New Venue Tablets
On Wednesday, Dell made available its two new Venue 7 and Venue 8 tablets, costing customers a starting price of $149.99 and $179.99, respectively. The Venue 7 is based on Google's Android 4.4 "KitKat," whereas the Venue 8 model uses Android 4.3 "Jellybean."
According to the specs, the Venue 7 features a 7-inch IPS display with a 1280 x 800 resolution and multi-touch input. The tablet is powered by a dual-core Intel Atom Z3460 "Merrifield" processor with speeds up to 1.6 GHz, 1 GB of LPDDR3 memory and Intel HD graphics.
Other hardware features include 16 GB of internal storage, Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, and a 3FF microSIM card slot for the LTE version. The tablet ships in black but customers can get a red model for $20 more.
The specs of the larger Venue 8 tablet are slightly different. The device features an 8-inch IPS screen with a 1280 x 800 resolution and multi-touch input. Under the hood, Dell uses a dual-core Intel Atom Z2580 "Merrifield" processor with speeds up to 2.0 GHz, 2 GB of DDR2 memory, and Intel HD graphics.
Unlike the smaller version, the Dell Venue 8 features Wireless N and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. There is also 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot for up to 32 GB of extra storage. There doesn't appear to be a 4G LTE model, but Dell also offers a version with a clear case, a folio case, and a folio case with stylus.
The Dell Venue 7 weighs around 0.64 pounds, whereas the Dell Venue 8 weighs about 0.82 pounds before adding the folio case.
"The new Android-based tablets feature a thinner, lighter design with an attractive, easy-grip textured back, ideal for carrying on planes, trains and automobiles," states Dell's blog. "While in transit, you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows on the brilliant HD and Full HD displays, optimized for brighter, better viewing angles."
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
The Dell Venue 7 can be purchased here, whereas the Dell Venue 8 can be acquired from the company here. Dell also offers Windows 8.1-based models as well, including the Dell Venue 8 Pro and the Dell Venue 11 Pro.
Follow Kevin Parrish @exfileme. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
-
army_ant7 Aw... I was hoping Dell was putting out newer Windows 8(.1) tablets, especially after seeing Don's gaming review on the Windows Venue.Reply -
Treynolds416 "While in transit, you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows on the brilliant HD and Full HD displays, optimized for brighter, better viewing angles."Reply
The Venue 8 carries a resolution of 1920 x 1200, not 1280 x 800 like you've written. -
ldogg1981 The previous Venue 8 had 2 GB of RAM. Why would they upgrade the display and processor while reducing the RAM?Reply -
Downhuman Got the pricing wrong, too -- it's $159.99 for the 7 and $199.99 for the 8. Shouldn't copy and paste old articles. The 1 GB RAM is not a major thing, BTW. It will run just fine but your apps may take a few seconds longer to load. Dell made some pretty major upgrades for what is essentially a budget tablet -- they had to cut corners somewhere to make their price point.Reply -
icemunk ReplyOnly if they ran Windows 8 instead...
Try reading the whole article, dude!
I did, I'm not talking about the $250 Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet, I'm talking about the $159 for the 7". Microsoft offered OEMs free Windows 8.1 on tablets under 8", so they "could" install Windows on a $159 one -
Downhuman ReplyOnly if they ran Windows 8 instead...
Try reading the whole article, dude!
I did, I'm not talking about the $250 Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet, I'm talking about the $159 for the 7". Microsoft offered OEMs free Windows 8.1 on tablets under 8", so they "could" install Windows on a $159 one
Oh, I see. Sorry.