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MagyarDell Venue 8 Pro (Model 3845) Tablet Review Update
For the original German review, see here.
In January of this year (2014), we reviewed Dell's 8-inch Venue 8 Pro 5830 Windows tablet. At the time, the tablet cost about 270 Euros (~$336) and made a good impression on us. Our current test device, the Venue 8 Pro 3845, is a slimmed-down version with more modest hardware: The tablet only has 1 GB of working memory, and the hard drive space was cut in half (64 GB to 32 GB). But the price was nearly cut in half too. Dell is only charging around 160 Euros (~$199) for the new tablet. Is it possible to get a decent device at such a low price?
The Venue 8 Pro's competitors include all the 8-inch Windows tablets built by other manufacturers. Examples include the Toshiba Encore 2 WT8-B-102, the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 8 and the Point of View Mobii WinTab 800W.
Because the two Venue 8 Pro models are structurally identical, we won't cover the case, connectivity, display or speakers in detail. Further information on these subjects can be gleaned from our review of the Venue 8 Pro 5830.
Case
The Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 is housed in the same case as the Venue 8 Pro 5830 we reviewed in January. But Dell did make two little adjustments: Firstly, the 3845's control buttons are black (5830: silver), and secondly, the power button and the Windows key switched places.
Connectivity
In terms of connections, nothing has changed: Like the earlier model, the Venue 8 Pro 3845 is equipped with just a memory-card reader (MicroSD) and a micro USB 2.0 port. The tablet's battery also charges through this port, which means it's not possible to use a USB device and charge the battery at the same time.
Dell sent us a few optional accessories to try out with their Venue. At extra cost, these accessories compensate a little for the device's dearth of connections. One of these items is a USB adapter that makes it possible to charge the battery and use a USB device simultaneously. The adapter also enables the user to run a USB-based hard drive without an external power supply, though this only works when the tablet's power supply is connected. The adapter is listed at about 30 Euros (~$37) on the English version of Dell's website. This accessory is a very sensible supplement to the tablet, and we certainly wouldn't want to go without it.
The other accessory Dell sent us was a "Dell Cast" HDMI streaming stick. This device enables the user to wirelessly connect a monitor/television to the Venue 8 Pro. The stick slides into the display's HDMI port and gets the energy it needs to run through the display's USB port. This not only gives the user the ability to display the tablet's screen content on the external panel ("screen mirroring") -- it also makes it possible to use the desktop "normally" on the big screen. The device works very well, but we'd prefer a simple cable connection here. The stick is available in the US for about $80 (~64 Euros).
Display
Dell outfitted their Venue 8 Pro 3845 with the same display they chose for the Venue 8 Pro 5830. The two devices offer an IPS display with stable viewing angles, as well as very good brightness and contrast. Even though the two panels are the same model, our measurements differ slightly. This is normal. The results from two identical panels are never 100% alike.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 87 %
Center on Battery: 382 cd/m²
Contrast: 1091:1 (Black: 0.35 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.97 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5.1
ΔE Greyscale 4.44 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
50.6% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
57.7% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
77.5% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
55.7% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.37
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Dell Venue 8 Pro HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3740D, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Toshiba WT8-B-102 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Lenovo ThinkPad 8 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3770, SanDisk SEM64G | Point of View WinTab 800W HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 16 GB eMMC Flash | Acer Iconia W4-820-2466 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3740, 64 GB eMMC Flash | Asus Memo Pad 8 ME181CX HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3745, 16 GB eMMC Flash | LG G Pad 8.0 V480 Adreno 305, 400 MSM8226, 16 GB eMMC Flash | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 10% | -9% | 13% | -16% | ||||
| Display P3 Coverage | 55.7 | 65.8 18% | 51.3 -8% | 65.1 17% | 45.85 -18% | |||
| sRGB Coverage | 77.5 | 80.4 4% | 71.6 -8% | 85.9 11% | 68.9 -11% | |||
| AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 57.7 | 61.7 7% | 52 -10% | 63.3 10% | 47.39 -18% | |||
| Screen | -9% | -26% | -11% | -19% | -17% | -23% | -18% | |
| Brightness middle | 382 | 380.2 0% | 295 -23% | 333.3 -13% | 220 -42% | 417 9% | 362 -5% | 333 -13% |
| Brightness | 365 | 365 0% | 278 -24% | 304 -17% | 214 -41% | 395 8% | 352 -4% | 311 -15% |
| Brightness Distribution | 87 | 86 -1% | 84 -3% | 83 -5% | 88 1% | 90 3% | 86 -1% | 85 -2% |
| Black Level * | 0.35 | 0.312 11% | 0.38 -9% | 0.463 -32% | 0.303 13% | 0.46 -31% | 0.44 -26% | 0.54 -54% |
| Contrast | 1091 | 1219 12% | 776 -29% | 720 -34% | 726 -33% | 907 -17% | 823 -25% | 617 -43% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.97 | 7.03 -41% | 8.01 -61% | 4.98 -0% | 5.08 -2% | 6.59 -33% | 6.78 -36% | 4.64 7% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 4.44 | 7.12 -60% | 6.58 -48% | 4.47 -1% | 5.85 -32% | 6.96 -57% | 7.26 -64% | 4.78 -8% |
| Gamma | 2.37 93% | 1.59 138% | 1.72 128% | 1.83 120% | 2.43 91% | 2.79 79% | 2.94 75% | 2.63 84% |
| CCT | 6090 107% | 6988 93% | 6001 108% | 6102 107% | 7667 85% | 7414 88% | 6355 102% | 6458 101% |
| Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 50.6 | 53.88 6% | 46.68 -8% | 57.17 13% | 44 -13% | |||
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | 1% /
-4% | -18% /
-21% | 1% /
-5% | -18% /
-18% | -17% /
-17% | -23% /
-23% | -18% /
-18% |
* ... smaller is better
Performance
The Dell Venue 8 Pro is a very inexpensive 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablet. The device's performance is adequate for running office and Internet applications. On the Dell website, the tablet is listed at 199 Euros (~$247). As we were writing this review, we found the tablet for just 159 Euros (~$197) from a major online vendor. Dell also offers versions with different hardware, including models with a UMTS modem.
Processor
The little tablet runs on an Atom Z3735G quad-core processor. The processor's TDP of less than 4 Watts makes it possible for the device to be passively cooled. The CPU runs at a base clock speed of 1.33 GHz. Using turbo, the speed can be increased to up to 1.83 GHz. These numbers are identical to those we recorded during our testing session with the Venue 8 Pro 5830 and its Atom Z3740D processor. There is one difference between the two CPUs, however: The Z3740D supports up to 2 GB of working memory, whereas the Z3735G only supports a maximum of 1 GB. Both CPUs' performances rate toward the low end of the scale, between the AMD APUs from the E and A series.
The Z3735G's full performance capabilities aren't accessible. The machine completed the Cinebench benchmark's single-thread tests at 1.58 to 1.83 GHz. The processor ran the multi-thread tests at a constant 1.58 GHz. These numbers are the same in both AC power mode and idle mode.
| Geekbench 3 | |
| 32 Bit Single-Core Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Asus Memo Pad 8 ME181CX | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| 32 Bit Multi-Core Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Asus Memo Pad 8 ME181CX | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Toshiba WT8-B-102 | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad 8 | |
| Point of View WinTab 800W | |
| Point of View WinTab 800W | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Point of View WinTab 800W | |
| Asus Memo Pad 8 ME181CX | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Asus Memo Pad 8 ME181CX | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| WebXPRT 2013 - Overall Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Asus Memo Pad 8 ME181CX | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
| HP Stream 14-z050ng | |
| Browsermark - 2.1 (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Toshiba WT8-B-102 | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
Although the Venue 8 Pro's processor is 64-bit capable, Dell installed the 32-bit version of Windows 8.1 on their tablet. The reason: The 32-bit version saves resources. Because this device only has 1 GB of RAM, conservation of resources is especially important. In general, the tablet runs fluidly -- especially in "RT" mode. If the desktop is in use, the scant working memory does have an effect on the speed from time to time; for instance, occasionally windows only load after a delay. The results in the PCMark benchmark are on the low end and correspond with the performance capabilities of the tablet's Atom processor.
| PCMark 7 Score | 2131 points | |
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 1062 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 893 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 1150 points | |
Help | ||
Storage Devices
The Venue 8 Pro's mass storage device is an eMMC module with a capacity of 32 GB. The recovery partition occupies about 9 GB. Subtracting the storage space required for installing Windows, the user is left with about 12 GB. A little more space can be freed by removing the additional software provided by Dell. The storage space can be expanded via MicroSD card. The eMMC storage doesn't run particularly quickly, but the reason for that is easily identified: The Venue 8 Pro comes with activated encryption. If this feature is turned off, the transfer rates increase significantly. With the encryption deactivated, this storage module is actually one of the faster of its kind. We included the results in CrystalDiskMark with deactivated encryption in the table below.
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Dell Venue 8 Pro HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3740D, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Toshiba WT8-B-102 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Lenovo ThinkPad 8 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3770, SanDisk SEM64G | Point of View WinTab 800W HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 16 GB eMMC Flash | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrystalDiskMark 3.0 | 37% | -16% | 48% | -18% | -2% | |
| Read Seq | 88.7 | 164.3 85% | 53.8 -39% | 166 87% 116 31% | 123.4 39% | 134.1 51% |
| Write Seq | 50.7 | 81.6 61% | 40.15 -21% | 75.7 49% 48.56 -4% | 42.83 -16% | 44.8 -12% |
| Read 512 | 80.6 | 141.2 75% | 51.7 -36% | 157.2 95% 119.4 48% | 115.5 43% | 136.3 69% |
| Write 512 | 43.57 | 63.4 46% | 32.57 -25% | 59.7 37% 42.53 -2% | 25.83 -41% | 12.07 -72% |
| Read 4k | 10.66 | 12.24 15% | 8.043 -25% | 19.04 79% 16.32 53% | 9.666 -9% | 13.06 23% |
| Write 4k | 8.261 | 9.341 13% | 8.888 8% | 17.43 111% 12.86 56% | 4.149 -50% | 5.92 -28% |
| Read 4k QD32 | 25.95 | 24.58 -5% | 28.75 11% | 25.75 -1% 24.45 -6% | 11.86 -54% | 23.67 -9% |
| Write 4k QD32 | 10.77 | 11.27 5% | 10.65 -1% | 19.27 79% 16.23 51% | 4.74 -56% | 7.07 -34% |
Graphics Card
Intel's HD Graphics graphics core is responsible for the tablet's graphics output. The GPU supports DirectX 11 and runs at a frequency of up to 646 MHz. Of all the graphics cores that are currently available, this chip is the weakest model. As to be expected, the results in the 3DMark benchmark come in toward the very bottom of our performance table. The Venue 8 Pro model we already reviewed is equipped with the same GPU, but because the earlier model's graphics core runs at a somewhat higher speed and has more RAM at its command, it achieved better results in our tests. AMD offers much more powerful GPUs in this low price range -- specifically the Radeon R3 (Mullins/Beema) and Radeon R4 (Beema) cores.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 200 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 13071 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 998 points | |
Help | ||
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad 8 | |
| 3DMark | |
| 1280x720 Ice Storm Standard Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad 8 | |
| LG G Pad 8.0 V480 | |
| 1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad 8 | |
| 1280x720 Sky Diver Score (sort by value) | |
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 | |
Gaming Performance
For modern 3D games, the hardware built into our test device is simply too weak. Only a few titles run fluidly at reduced resolution and image quality. It is true, however, that there isn't enough storage space available for most games anyway. Games from the Windows Store are perfectly playable on the tablet.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| Trackmania Nations Forever (2008) | 72 | 18 | ||
| Resident Evil 5 (2009) | 26.3 | |||
| Dirt 3 (2011) | 24.1 | 12.9 |
Emissions
System Noise
The device runs silently, due to the fact that it has neither a fan nor a conventional hard drive.
Temperature
The tablet completed the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark running simultaneously for at least an hour) in the same way in both AC power mode and battery mode. The processor goes about its work at 1.58 GHz, while the graphics core runs at 620 MHz. During the stress test, the device didn't heat up excessively. Only in one spot on the back side of the device did the temperature measure a somewhat warm 48 °C (118.4 °F).
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 40.4 °C / 105 F, compared to the average of 34.1 °C / 93 F, ranging from 21.2 to 53.2 °C for the class Tablet.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 48 °C / 118 F, compared to the average of 33.5 °C / 92 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 26.8 °C / 80 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
Energy Management
The processor's TDP lies under 4 Watts. As a result, the whole device doesn't require much energy. Nevertheless, at 4 to 6.6 Watts in idle mode, the tablet proves to be relatively thirsty. The Point of View Mobii WinTab 800W, which is outfitted with the same amount of working memory and the same CPU, is satisfied with half that wattage. The Venue 8 Pro's high energy consumption rates when turned off (3.7 Watts) and in standby mode (1.7 Watts) are particularly striking. We continued to measure these same rates 10 minutes after we activated standby mode / shut the device off.
Update December 08 2014: With the battery fully charged, we left the tablet on our desk in standby mode for two days. After 24 hours, the battery had drained about 13% of its charge; after another 24 hours, altogether it had lost 22% of its charge. With these numbers in mind, we estimate the tablet has a maximum standby-life of just under 10 days.
| Off / Standby |   3.7 / 1.7 Watt |
| Idle |  4 / 6.4 / 6.6 Watt |
| Load |
8.6 / 8.1 Watt |
    
| |
Battery Life
In idle mode, the Venue 8 Pro's battery lasts 11:51 h. With that time, the tablet positions itself between the Toshiba Encore 2 WT8-B-102 (15:00 h) and the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 8 (10:07 h). We determine a device's battery life in idle mode with the Battery Eater Reader's test. In this test, the screen brightness is set to minimum and the wireless modules are turned off. Under load, the Dell tablet peters out after 2:10 h. We determine battery runtime under load using the Battery Eater Classic test. Here the screen brightness is set to maximum and the wireless modules are activated.
The Venue 8 Pro ran out of steam after 6:42 h in our WLAN test. This test is designed to simulate practical, everyday use. A script automatically loads a new webpage every 40 seconds, and the display brightness is set to about 150 cd/m². The Encore 2 (6:30 h) and the ThinkPad tablet (5:45 h) come in behind our tablet here. To determine a device's battery runtime during video playback, we run the short film Big Buck Bunny in a loop. The wireless modules are deactivated and the display brightness is set to about 150 cd/m². The Venue 8 Pro chugged along for 6:07 h here. The Encore 2 (5:20 h) gave up the ghost earlier.
Overall, the Venue 8 Pro offers good battery life. The device's battery runtimes are more or less on par with its sister model's. Note: The Venue 8 Pro only offers two energy profiles -- "Balanced" and "Dell." We ran all our battery life tests with the "Balanced" profile activated.
| Dell Venue 8 Pro 3845 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Dell Venue 8 Pro HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3740D, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Toshiba WT8-B-102 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 32 GB eMMC Flash | Lenovo ThinkPad 8 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3770, SanDisk SEM64G | Point of View WinTab 800W HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3735G, 16 GB eMMC Flash | Acer Iconia W4-820-2466 HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3740, 64 GB eMMC Flash | Asus Memo Pad 8 ME181CX HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Z3745, 16 GB eMMC Flash | LG G Pad 8.0 V480 Adreno 305, 400 MSM8226, 16 GB eMMC Flash | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | 7% | 4% | 4% | -42% | 32% | 24% | 116% | |
| Reader / Idle | 711 | 782 10% | 900 27% | 607 -15% | 321 -55% | 942 32% | 753 6% | 1801 153% |
| H.264 | 367 | 320 -13% | 200 -46% | 501 37% | 729 99% | |||
| WiFi | 402 | 373 -7% | 390 -3% | 345 -14% | 300 -25% | 484 20% | 442 10% | 653 62% |
| Load | 130 | 153 18% | 183 41% | 187 44% | 183 41% | 326 151% |
Verdict
On the whole, the Dell Venue 8 Pro made a good impression on us. This is a simple Windows 8.1 tablet designed primarily for Internet and media-related applications, on the market for just 160 to 180 Euros (~$199 to ~$224). In order to put such a low price tag on their device, Dell economized with inexpensive hardware and the Bing version of Windows 8.1. Even so, the tablet doesn't have a cheap aura about it. Anyone who wants to accomplish work-related tasks on the device will appreciate the one-year Office 365 Personal license -- though the system can't handle several Office windows at a time. The limited amount of working memory (1 GB) makes itself apparent in such situations. We were very happy to discover that Dell installed the same bright, high-contrast IPS panel in their 3845 model as in the Venue 8 Pro 5830. Both Venue 8 Pro models are rather penniless when it comes to connections. For instance, neither device has an HDMI port. In order to connect the tablet to a bigger display or a TV, the user will have to purchase a solution like the "Dell Cast" stick.
Just a few days ago, we published our review of the Point of View Mobii WinTab 800W 8-inch Windows tablet. The device is equipped with the same processor and the same amount of working memory, but it costs 50 Euros less (~$62 less) than the Venue 8 Pro. In a direct comparison, the Dell tablet is the clear winner: It offers longer battery life, more storage space and a brighter display with higher contrast.
