Dell Refreshes Atom-powered Venue 7 and Venue 8 Tablets

[JMcEntegart]

Dell is joining the Computex bonanza with updates to its Venue line of tablets. The Dell Venue 7 and Venue 8 are both getting refreshed interiors as well as exteriors this summer.

Dell Refreshes Atom-powered Venue 7 and Venue 8 Tablets : Read more

 

[ldogg1981]

They are dropping the amount of RAM from 2GB (current generation) to 1GB (next generation)? That doesn't make sense.

 

[nvllsvm]

They are dropping the amount of RAM from 2GB (current generation) to 1GB (next generation)? That doesn't make sense.

$ure it doe$

 

[ikaz]

I think these are the andriod versions I thought only the Venue pro's running window 8.1 had 2 Gigs of memory but I could be wrong.

 

[alextheblue]

They are dropping the amount of RAM from 2GB (current generation) to 1GB (next generation)? That doesn't make sense.

Did you look at the pricing? These have upgraded CPUs and displays over previous models, and they're really cheap. I suppose something had to give. I think they discovered that with the smaller (and cheaper) tablets, people don't generally take heavy advantage of multitasking. So most users only really need RAM dedicated to whatever is on the screen, and when the OS runs out of memory it can suspend background apps.

With that being said, if I personally was to get a device like this, I'd want 2GB of memory. So I think if they're smart they'll at least have a slightly more expensive upgraded model with more memory. Of course, I'd rather have a 10"+ model, myself. If you demand more performance and plan on multitasking, you might be in the market for a bigger unit, so maybe this makes sense.

Anyway, these could even run Windows 8.1 decently with the new compressed builds. But more internal storage and memory would be better, hence the Pro models. Hopefully they'll upgrade their Pro lineup with the new displays too!

Oh, I just looked and Dell is listing the previous gen Venue 8 with a 32GB option for $30 more than the base 16GB model. So hopefully they'll have a similar upgraded model with 32GB for ~$229. Although the mSD support helps a lot, the internal memory will likely be faster for loading big apps.

 

[nnorton44]

Odd they would drop the RAM to 1GB; I'm sure because KitKat only "needs" 512MB...

 

[Pyree]

This is not the Pro line of the Dell Venue series tablet!

 

[ldogg1981]

I own the first generation venue 8 with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage and I paid $200. They are upgrading the cpu and downgrading everything else and charging the same price.

 

[ldogg1981]

I think these are the andriod versions I thought only the Venue pro's running window 8.1 had 2 Gigs of memory but I could be wrong.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834300173

 

[Chris Droste]

the Venue 8 1st gen was 1280x800, older Atom chip, and 2GB ram. i got a refurb one for like $120 and it's awesome at that price with stock Jellybean. Kitkat kinda screwed it up :/
the new one, I was very interested in...until i saw the ram drop and with the slimmer design I'm actually worried they made the battery smaller too.

 

[vider]

I purchased originally the Dell Venue 7 (Android edition) at base price of 159 CAD, a week later got it back to the store and priced matched it to 129 CAD. Now, the older generation Intel Atom that was slapped into this unit (makes the OS feel smooth as silk, no lags, immediate response, super smooth transition effects) is more than enough for the average joe. The 2GB's of RAM are of a big help. Playing 3D intensive games on the other hand, is not so great (A dual Power VR 543GX is just not enough for tablet gaming).

On the other hand, if on these ones the included GFX, should be much better for 3D intensive games. But the 1 GB of RAM will hinder that, effectively DELL just shot them selves in the foot (having 1.5 GB of Ram, should of somewhat helped with that)