Screen and Cameras
The Screen
I've already raved about the quality of the 10.5-inch OLED display, which really must be seen in person to fully appreciate. I can tell you that everyone here at the site who has seen it in person has been really impressed, and though it is very saturated (perhaps to an unnatural degree) it is an intoxicating experience. So how does the more-real-than-real look of this 2560×1440 OLED screen fare when measured for color accuracy?
Not surprisingly (considering the PenTile RGBG pattern of the AMOLED display) the display has a decidedly green cast when measured with my Spyder4Pro colorimeter, though in use the human eye does a remarkable job of interpreting the display with more natural color. Still, compared to an IPS display in a tablet like the iPad (which is extremely close to a perfect CIE triangle) the result is technically far less accurate. This is why I insist that the Venue 10's screen must be seen in person to be appreciated. Other than contrast it simply won't measure well – but it looks amazing.
Camera
Ryan covered the Intel RealSense functionality with our review of the smaller Dell Venue 8 tablet, and there are certainly some cool features such as measuring objects in photos (should you ever need to do this).
I took a few snapshots to illustrate the quality of the camera(s) on the back of the Venue 10 7000. The results from the 8MP rear shooter were pretty bad, actually, with washed-out color and a lack of overall detail.
The images below have not been edited in any way, and may be viewed at full resolution if you'd like a better look at what to expect (at least on a sunny afternoon).
While these are decidedly average tablet photos the front-facing webcam was far worse, with a dim and extemely noisy image during my testing with Skype.
Next we'll have a look at performance benchmarks to see how the Atom SoC stacks up.
This really needs a storage
This really needs a storage slot such as a microsd. I think if they sold this with Windows 10, this would make a killer mini laptop.
It has a MicroSD slot.
It has a MicroSD slot.
It does, and I completely
It does, and I completely forgot about that!
spyware
spyware
That price is bananas, you
That price is bananas, you would need to be on some good drugs to choose this android tablet over a Surface 3.
64GB Surface 3 and keyboard: $629
This crazy thing and keyboard:$838
Got that right !
Got that right !
The screen is the big
The screen is the big difference there.
OMG let’s strip down the
OMG let’s strip down the performance to sub-netbook levels and charge dearly for the chance to own such a gimped down SKU. No it’s a jack of all trades and an expert at none! What about getting one with Linux Mint, and as Carrizo APU. I’ll wait for the K12/Carrizo equlivent, and maybe a Steam OS based gaming tablet! Can this be any more overpriced!
How is this overpriced
How is this overpriced Android tablet given a silver award? Battery life is terrible, yet seems to be ok considering it’s a convertible Android tablet with an OLED screen? Throw Windows 10 on there and you’ll have a decent option. And in the conclusion, I like how you throw in the awkward kickstand reference… Is that to say the Surface series has such a kickstand? The only instance in which that would be true is if you’re trying to use the Surface in your lap. How often is that done? Especially when you’re trying to be productive? Please, don’t try to tell me you, as a responder to my comment, always do productive work using your lap. I don’t think that the work you are doing is that productive at all, if that’s the case.
My main beef is the inability of a reviewer to not rate a product bad just because a company sent them it. Have the guts to actually say what you think, which you sort of did in the beginning of your conclusion. That was until you salvaged the attempt by photoshoping your statement to make this tablet look better than it actually does.
Why not? I always use my
Why not? I always use my laptop in my lap, as I have a desktop for more serious work (photo editing, etc.). Why is that an unusual case? Sitting back in the sofa or sitting up in bed writing? There are tons of people who use laptops on tables (at the coffee shop, at home on a table or desk) and are fine with a kickstand, but I’ve never been this way. You clearly disagree but I don’t consider a device to be truly portable it if needs a table to function. For this reason I find the Surface kickstand to be inadequate.
It’s easier to accuse a writer of bias than it is to objectively review a product on its own merit. Is the Venue 10 too expensive? Yes. I would expect an Android tablet to cost $100 or so less than Surface/iPad. I mentioned in the review that I wished it ran Windows, that I wanted to use the device running Windows, and made the Android OS my biggest complaint throughout. I called it a flawed product but pointed out the incredible hardware design, which really is first rate and if I could get a Surface with this hinge I’d do it today.
I also urged readers to try it out before buying as the Android OS on a tablet isn’t for everyone. If you read through the conclusion I explained my position. Disagree as you do, but blithely calling me prejudiced is uninformed at best. You have the same need to pander to Dell as I, as long as that is zero.
These are the things that
These are the things that need to be included in the review. Perspective, along with the reviewer’s opinion make for a better overall picture. While I do agree that people use laptopsconvertibles in their laps, being productive with it is another thing. Even if you can type while in your lap, is that a preferred method for extended sessions? Have you done a multipage review while holding a laptop in just your lap? I have, and it’s certainly no fun. Which brings us back to the surface and it’s kickstand. The stand makes it a productive machine while not in your lap, but the ability to use the touch interface makes it portable and easy enough to use for quick lap jobs. And none of that makes the Surface a truly portable device…? In your opinion. What is, then? A MacBook? MacBook Air? Any other traditional laptop? The MacBook and Air have no touchscreens available… In my opinion that makes them not truly portable devices.
Maybe an idea for a review for you to cover, is one where you try to find the prime device to fit in this ‘truly portable’ category. I think you’ll find that such a device doesn’t exist, since arguments can be made about any product to the contrary of what you are set out to prove.
While this Dell Android tablet is of very high quality in build, it’s more of a proof of concept product. Will it sell well? I don’t think so, do you? If it won’t sell well, why would you make it other than to say you can?
Sebastian, how clean was the
Sebastian, how clean was the headphone jack? I saw complaints about noise in the Venue 8 7000, and this kind of thing is a deal breaker for me. Was there any noise, especially with low impedance IEMs.
PS. There’s a typo on the last page: “through”.