Dell Venue 8 Pro and Venue 8 Do Windows and Android

Dell has something for everyone with its Venue 8 tablets, which come in both Android and Windows 8.1 flavors. The Venue 8 is the Android-based model, while the Venue 8 Pro runs the full version of Windows 8.1. Dell isn’t the first to put Windows 8.1 in an 8-inch form factor, but the field is still relatively new and small, so the Venue 8 Pro has been getting a fair share of attention. We checked out both models to see how they compare to each other and their competition.

Side-by-side, the tablets look similar, but the two are very different beasts, as you’d guess from the price tags: the Venue 8 (Android) sells for $179.99, while the Venue 8 Pro (Windows 8.1) rings in at $299.99, not including the optional stylus or case. Let’s take a look at the hardware that sets them apart.

Dell Venue 8 & Dell Venue 8 Pro Specifications & Features

	Dell Venue 8	Dell Venue 8 Pro
OS:	Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)	Windows 8.1 32-bit
Processor:	Intel Atom Z2580 @2.0GHz dual-core	Intel Atom Z3740D @1.8GHz quad-core
Memory:	2GB	2GB
Storage:	16GB or 32GB	32GB or 64GB
Display:	8-inch IPS, 10-point Touch Display WXGA 1280 x 800	8-inch IPS, 10-point Touch Display WXGA 1280 x 800
Camera:	2MP front, 5MP back	1.2MP front, 5MP back
Ports:	Micro-SD, supporting SDHC, Headphone/Mic Jack, Micro-AB USB 2.0 Port For Power Connector	Micro-SD, supporting SDHC, Headphone/Mic Jack, Micro-AB USB 2.0 Port For Power Connector
Connectivity:	802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0	Dell Wireless 1538 Dual-Band 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0
Battery:	Integrated, 7.9 hours (Dell estimate), 10-Watt AC Adapter	Integrated, 9.9 hours (Dell estimate), 10-Watt AC Adapter
Size:	8.35 x 5.11 x 0.384 inches	8.5 x 5.12 x 0.35 inches
Weight:	0.82 pounds	0.87 pounds
Extras:	Red Color Option	Red Color Option
Warranty:	1-Year Limited Hardware	1-Year Rapid Return with Remote Diagnosis
Price:	$179.99 - 16GB, $199 - 32GB	$299.99 - 32GB, $319 - 64GB

---

The Dell Venue 8 has an Intel Atom Z2580 dual-core processor running at 2.0GHz, whereas the Venue 8 Pro has a quad-core Intel Atom Z3740D running at 1.8GHz. Both tablets have 2MB of memory, but they differ on storage. The Venue 8 has up to 32GB of storage and the Venue 8 Pro boasts up to 64GB. Both of the models we tested came with 32GB of storage included. Each tablet also includes a micro SD card slot.

The tablets share the same 8-inch, WXGA 1280 x 800 display. That’s an HD resolution, and the Venue isn’t the only tablet in town sporting it (the Lenovo Miix 2 has the same resolution, for example), but there are other small tablets that offer full 1080p (like the Nexus 7) or even higher resolutions. The iPad mini boasts Apple’s Retina display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 on a 7.9-inch screen.  Of course, the iPad min with Retina display will set you back $399, fully $100 more than even the Venue 8 Pro. Both Venues have IPS panels though, which makes the tablets easy to see from almost any angle. That’s an important feature for any mobile device, but tablets in particular.

Both tablets have 5MP rear cameras, but the Venue 8 has a 2MP front camera and the Venue 8 Pro has a 1.2MP front camera. On the connectivity side of things, the tablets have Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11n, but the Venue 8 Pro has a dual-band Dell Wireless 1538 controller that makes it a little more versatile.


Dell estimates battery life under normal use to be about 7.9 hours for the Venue 8 and 9.9 hours for the Venue 8 Pro. Both tablets have a one-year warranty, but the Venue 8 has only a limited hardware warranty. The Venue 8 Pro, on the other hand, has a one-year Rapid Return warranty: once the tablet’s problem is diagnosed over the phone, Dell pays to have the tablet sent in via 3-5 business-day shipping for repair. These are base warranties, though – you can upgrade them during your purchase if you like.