Yep, it's a new era in tablets. I still cannot believe I actually have a full desktop in a tablet, I never thought that would ever be possible.
I like the DVP11, but I'm holding out for the Thinkpad Tablet 3.
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Dell Venue 8 Pro, thoughts?
- Thread starter Rodster
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Yep, it's a new era in tablets. I still cannot believe I actually have a full desktop in a tablet, I never thought that would ever be possible.
I like the DVP11, but I'm holding out for the Thinkpad Tablet 3.
Can someone tell me if the text, screen is any sharper than the DV8 Android version? How does it compare to the rmini?
I find the DV8 text to be a bit fuzzy. So if the Pro version looks the exact same, i wont bother trying it. Seeing that the Pro is the exact same res, I would think this to be the case.
I find the DV8 text to be a bit fuzzy. So if the Pro version looks the exact same, i wont bother trying it. Seeing that the Pro is the exact same res, I would think this to be the case.
I can't compare the two, but I know the text on the DV8 Pro is VERY clear, even when you zoom in max. Microsoft uses their clear type technology and it works extremely well IMO, it kind of puts into perspective just how much marketing the whole retina screen crap is.
Still, I'd highly recommend you go to a store and see for yourself just to make sure you are happy with it.
Thanks. I went to the store and they didnt have it on demo so I just bought one. 10 mins after playing with it, its going back.
I cant believe the screen brightness on this thing. I have it on max, and its barely bright enough to see it. I dont know if mine is just defective or what, but this is just ridiculous if its normal across all units. Even adjusting from min to max on the brightness its barely noticable to the naked eye.
Also, not a fan of the keyboard layout. Maybe im just not used to it, but cant stand how the main keys are all shifted more to the left and not dead center.
Otherwise as far as text sharpness goes, this unit is MUCH sharper than the DV8 Android version.
turn off auto brightness/adaptive brightness in settings
Charms - Change Settings - PC Devices - Power and Sleep - brightness toggle off
Change PC Settings -> PC and devices -> Typing -> Add the standard keyboard layout as a touch keyboard option
Thanks peeps, that fixed it! Was getting a bit antzy.
Played around with it some more and have to say, even though I havent used windows 8 or even 7 before, Im liking this device alot for the most part!
I still find the keyboard layout not nearly as good as ipad. It just doesnt seem dead centre and the placement of some of the secondary keys are oddly placed.
But the screen I think is very very good, very very close to retina. i could live with it. Only thing is, the web browser fonts are so small compared to ipad. And is there no way to have the keyboard automatically popup each time? Having to manually press the keyboard button and the X to close each time is a bit tedious.
Im liking the multitasking on here a lot, just swipe the left thumb inwards from the border and top to bottom to close an app.
The UI actually reminds me a lot of the playbook when I had one years ago. That had an incredibly sleek multitasking UI.
Cant find the snap feature. But I opened MS word and typed a few words and sent it to print off my home printer. Have to say i was impressed. First time ever any tablet could do anything like that.
For those of you who have had this for awhile to play with, do you think tis a keeper? Though i still would prefer Android OS over windows on my tab simply so I can stick to the Android ecosystem and less complex with so many jazillion OSs to learn. But if anything, it probably is more beneficial to have your devices in different OSs than just one.
$250 for this 32GB vs $400 for my 16GB rmini. Hmmm.
Played around with it some more and have to say, even though I havent used windows 8 or even 7 before, Im liking this device alot for the most part!
I still find the keyboard layout not nearly as good as ipad. It just doesnt seem dead centre and the placement of some of the secondary keys are oddly placed.
But the screen I think is very very good, very very close to retina. i could live with it. Only thing is, the web browser fonts are so small compared to ipad. And is there no way to have the keyboard automatically popup each time? Having to manually press the keyboard button and the X to close each time is a bit tedious.
Im liking the multitasking on here a lot, just swipe the left thumb inwards from the border and top to bottom to close an app.
The UI actually reminds me a lot of the playbook when I had one years ago. That had an incredibly sleek multitasking UI.
Cant find the snap feature. But I opened MS word and typed a few words and sent it to print off my home printer. Have to say i was impressed. First time ever any tablet could do anything like that.
For those of you who have had this for awhile to play with, do you think tis a keeper? Though i still would prefer Android OS over windows on my tab simply so I can stick to the Android ecosystem and less complex with so many jazillion OSs to learn. But if anything, it probably is more beneficial to have your devices in different OSs than just one.
$250 for this 32GB vs $400 for my 16GB rmini. Hmmm.
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First thing you need to do is change the DPI to 125%, makes a HUGE difference. Desktop is still not great, but it helps a lot.
If you use IE11 in Metro mode the keyboard pops up automatically and all the functions are much more finger friendly, it's really a very nice browser. But for desktop stuff yeah you are stuck for now. The keyboard needs work IMO, it also needs a voice input like both Android and iOS have, but otherwise it's not bad at all.
Last, I have a nice surprise for you since you are vacillating between keeping Android or windows. Go to http://www.bluestacks.com and check that out, it's an emulator which runs full blown android on your windows tablet. You have to tweak it a bit, there is a registry edit to make it work full screen. I've found it to work quite well and in full screen mode you will be on a full android device. It runs every Android program I've thrown at it, including light games like fruit ninja, angry birds, etc.
It's really an amazing little machine, especially for the price.
I still dont recommend bluestacks. Way too slow to be worth it on the dell venue. Candy crush takes like 5 mins to load lol
Try living in the metro (start screen) experience as much as possible. Keep IE as your default browser so you can use the metro IE without having to manually push up the keyboard. The desktop is the legacy environment and does not have support for keyboard focus - because most devs never made apps for touch screens in the desktop.
In desktop go to
Control Panel --> appearance and Personalization --> Display
select make items bigger (scaling)
Select medium 125%
Also you can always adjust the zoom level in IE itself for bigger fonts.
Try living in the metro (start screen) experience as much as possible. Keep IE as your default browser so you can use the metro IE without having to manually push up the keyboard. The desktop is the legacy environment and does not have support for keyboard focus - because most devs never made apps for touch screens in the desktop.
In desktop go to
Control Panel --> appearance and Personalization --> Display
select make items bigger (scaling)
Select medium 125%
Also you can always adjust the zoom level in IE itself for bigger fonts.
Hmm didn't try Candy Crush, I hate that game lol. Other games I tried ran fine, but I didn't try any heavily specced games.
Thanks will try those out. My biggest gripe is still the keyboard layout, its too cluttered and the layout of some keys make no sense. I know a couple other reviews that ive read mentioned this too. Its very frustrating typing on this. Ipad keyboard is near perfect cause of how simplistic it is and everything is not shifted over to the left a bit.
So that micro usb on the Dell can actually work with more than just thumb drives/mice/keyboard? That would actually make it a killer device.......a little bigger than a nexus, but a quasi full computer.
I actually wish it has a bit more usb ports in that case, this would be an ideal device for someone with basic computing needs. Use it like a tablet on the go, when you get home dock it to a screen, charge it, and have a basic desktop computer.
Tempting
Apparently two caveats.
- It's also the chrging port. So you can't connect anything to it while powering/charging the device.
- You need a micro USB to USB adapter for most uses.
I agree with you that it would have been better if they had managed to fit a second port in.
EDIT: I wonder if one of these Y cables might work... http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Cable-Power-Nexus-Galaxy/dp/B00CXAC1ZW
B
That may work, and confirmed with a youtube video syncing an iPhone to the DV8P works. This is getting more tempting, i just wish metro had more apps considering at 8" it would be better served with apps made for the metro ui.
Apple mail also seems to sync with the default mail app (at least on a windows phone) so I assume the same should apply with the tablet.
With a 64GB micro sd card, this could be a killer traveling device. Might be something i give up the iPad for....maybe haha.
Just started researching these 8.1 tablets today, and I'm really impressed with the power/size ratio. But I came across the Lenovo Miix 2 8, and in terms of looks, I think it beats the Venue 8 Pro. Has anyone here owned the Miix 2 and has any further info on it?
Basically, Venue 8 Pro vs. Lenovo Miix 2 8.
Thanks.
Basically, Venue 8 Pro vs. Lenovo Miix 2 8.
Thanks.
I'm what my friends call an Apple Fanboy (I consider myself someone who tries everything and keeps the best), but I absolutely *love* my Venue 8 Pro. Full disclosure: I work for Dell. However we are a software company that they bought back in May, so we haven't been fully borged yet.
I was totally surprised that I liked this device. I try lots of tech, but I don't usually keep it around after playing with it for 2-3 weeks. However, in November, we got an employee discount for the 32GB Venue 8 for $199. This is the first thing Dell has made that has excited me since I snapped out of my Dell Inspiron Mini fever around the time the iPad came out. The Venue is *just* different enough from the iPad that I find it useful to have both.
Like I said, the people in my office are Mac folks. We still use Macs for most of our everyday work, but since I'm in a customer facing role, I have been highly encouraged to use a Dell laptop. Before I got the Venue 8 Pro, I had to carry my Macbook Air, Dell Inspiron Laptop, and my Retina iPad mini whenever I traveled for work. That was about 10 pounds worth of tech and chargers in my carry-on bag. Now, I've replaced the corporate laptop with the Venue. I'm considering even dumping the MBA and going with just the 2 tablets. I've used the Venue a couple of times in meetings to run the projector (using a USB video adapter from Plugable), and it always gets a lot of attention, especially when people find out it's full Windows 8 and not RT.
I was totally surprised that I liked this device. I try lots of tech, but I don't usually keep it around after playing with it for 2-3 weeks. However, in November, we got an employee discount for the 32GB Venue 8 for $199. This is the first thing Dell has made that has excited me since I snapped out of my Dell Inspiron Mini fever around the time the iPad came out. The Venue is *just* different enough from the iPad that I find it useful to have both.
Like I said, the people in my office are Mac folks. We still use Macs for most of our everyday work, but since I'm in a customer facing role, I have been highly encouraged to use a Dell laptop. Before I got the Venue 8 Pro, I had to carry my Macbook Air, Dell Inspiron Laptop, and my Retina iPad mini whenever I traveled for work. That was about 10 pounds worth of tech and chargers in my carry-on bag. Now, I've replaced the corporate laptop with the Venue. I'm considering even dumping the MBA and going with just the 2 tablets. I've used the Venue a couple of times in meetings to run the projector (using a USB video adapter from Plugable), and it always gets a lot of attention, especially when people find out it's full Windows 8 and not RT.
I'd take the Dell. The Lenovo is advertised wrong. You have to pay for Office and the Dell on sale is the better tablet IMHO with Office inclusive anyway.
Just to chime in here. I just got mine. I like it a lot. It runs well and I enjoy the full browser. My cousin picked it up for me and gave me it for 165. I wanted a cheap tablet to always have with me when at school and I think this will complement my iphone well. I have installed a bunch of programs and all run well. The desktop client of plex works very well as well instead of having to pay for the metro app.
http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/tablets/lenovo-miix-2.aspx
The Miix2 comes with Office installed. Thanks for your help though.
I want to know this too. I mean the glowing reports are good, but if the touchscreen is a bit "off" on a touchscreen tablet, why bother?