Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsJust Shy of Being the Perfect Tablet
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2016
Pros
+ High Quality Build
+ Gorgeous Display
+ Great Performance
+ MicroSD Slot
+ Stock Android 5.0.2
+ Strong Speakers
Cons
+ Glass is a Fingerprint Magnet
+ Questionable Design
+ TERRIBLE Camera
Should You Buy: Yes
Actual Value: $300
When you think of Android tablets, I’m sure many names come to mind. Samsung, ASUS, LG. But does Dell ever come to mind? Probably not. The computer giant thinks it can build the best tablet available and it made a valiant effort with this: the Dell Venue 8 7840. Weird name aside, Dell has proven that they are capable of making a great tablet. There are only a few issues with it, but it is far and away one of the best tablets you can buy.
-Design-
Let’s start by getting one thing out of the way; this has one of the best build qualities that can easily compete with Apple’s offerings. The combination of aluminum and glass feels premium in the hand and the design makes it stand out in a crowded marked. The glass is great, but it is a fingerprint magnet when held there. There is some plastic at the bottom of the tablet that houses the speaker and the selfie camera. It is a bit of a concern thinking that it could probably crack if it lands there. But all the components had to be somewhere, which is most likely here. The design is also somewhat weird. The screen takes up the top of the device with very slim bezels and a giant chin where the speaker is. It is weird but easy to hold with one hand since it is relatively light. Overall it is a very unique design and one that I can get used to.
-Screen-
Speaking of design, Dell also went for a really great choice for screen technology. It is a 8.4 inch OLED panel with 2560 by 1600 resolution. The result is one of the most beautiful screens that I’ve seen on a tablet. Colors are very vibrant and punchy with high contrast and excellent viewing angles. However, although it produces the best images on a tablet, it doesn’t necessarily have the brightest screen, making it a bit difficult to see in direct sunlight. Nevertheless, it is a very good screen that should keep everyone happy.
- Software-
Dell has also made wise choices when it comes to software. It has listen to something that I’ve been constantly saying: Leave Android Alone! The tablet runs pure Android with no overlay or icon changes. There are a few special features that work to differentiate the tablet from others on the market. First of all, there is some Dell related bloatware, which makes it look like they really had no say in it. Second there is an effect with the wallpaper that makes it feel like it is a 3D panel. In this area, it succeeds with the UI feeling more immersive with this effect. Most of these apps were kind of useless for me since I’m not heavily invested in Dell. But it is inoffensive and mostly stays out of your way. Everything works just like stock Android and that leads to a very fluid and good looking experience. There is some room for improvement when it comes to bloatware, but it is very good for something that isn’t a Nexus product.
-Performance-
Intel keeps on fighting for it’s spot on the mobile space and it has proven to be able to produce capable mobile chips. Case in point, the Intel® Atom Z358 produces more than enough power to compete with the best other chipmakers have to offer. In benckmarks, it leads the pack, passing the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and the ASUS ZenPad S 8.0. In practice, it does feel quick and powerful. Games run smoothly and apps load fast with no stuttering that I could see. It’s 2GB of RAM may seem limiting for multitasking, but it is enough to keep a couple of apps open and the sheer power of the chip keeps apps loading very fast. When it comes to performance, there is no need to worry. It has plenty of power to keep you going.
-Camera-
If you aim to use your tablet as a camera, you should stop right here and look towards other tablets. The cameras on these tablets are terrible. The 8MP sensor is paired with 2 720p sensors for depth perception. Interesting concept, but it simply doesn’t work. Daytime shots are okay with decent color reproduction and clear images. But dim the lights and the quality takes a huge fall. Indoor shots are terrible with lots of noise and dull colors. When I tried to use the depth perception feature on the tablet, it was cumbersome to use the software and the shots taken with it are so slow; taking anywhere from 6 seconds to a full 30 seconds to process. Even after taking the shot well, the effect is weak and never worked as advertising. I appreciate Dell’s effort to distinguish itself with new and interesting features. However, it should have perfected the technology before releasing it or completely abandoned it when they realize that the effect would be hard to replicate. Honestly, I would love this tablet even more if it had kept a conventional single camera with good or even decent quality.
-Conclusion-
The Venue 8 is one of the best tablets that I’ve seen and one that I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a high quality tablet. The design is great and the screen is simply beautiful. The camera definitely needs work and some ergonomic decisions should be reconsidered. But I at least appreciate Dell’s intentions to innovate where it can and improving aspects of the tablet that people want. Great performance, pure Android, a great screen, and a glass and metal build makes this a must buy. Simply put, it is worth every penny.