Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000 series vs Surface Pro 3

We look at a spec by spec comparison between Dell’s New Venue 11 Pro vs Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3. Dell’s new Venue 11 Pro with Core M processor is pitched against Microsoft’s latest tablet, the Surface Pro 3 but how do they compare.

Surface Pro 3 or Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000 Series

Dell is taking on the Surface Pro 3 with its new Venue 11 Pro 7000 series. With different accessories from keyboard to docking station, the Venue 11 Pro already has an upper hand giving users the versatility and freedom of using the device as a tablet, a laptop or as a desktop. As a new comer, it is also able to integrate the 5th generation Intel Core M processor code named Broadwell instead of the 4th Generation Haswell chips seen in the Surface Pro 3 for better power management. But let’s look at each of the specs in comparison.

Processor Options

The Surface Pro 3 does have an upper hand here in terms of choice of processors. You have the 4th generation entry level Intel Core i3 processor for everyday computing, the Intel Core i5 for power user and the chart topping Intel Core i7 for the ultimate in peThrformance. In terms of speed, the entry level tablet uses Intel Core i3 4020Y with Intel HD Graphics 4200 clocking at 1.5GHz (with no Turbo Boost frequency). The likely tablet that most people will go for is the mid level Intel Core i5-4300U processor with Intel HD Graphics 4400. This processor has a based frequency of 1.6GHz with Turbo Boost speed of up to 2.9GHz. Finally, the high end model based on  the Intel Core i7-4650U with Intel HD Graphics 5000 has a base frequency of 1.7GHz with Turbo Boost speed up to a blistering 3.3GHz

• Intel Core i3 4020Y processor with Intel HD Graphics 4200 at 1.5GHz with TPM Chip for enterprise security
• Intel Core i5-4300U processor with Intel HD Graphics 4400 at 1.6GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz with TPM Chip for enterprise security
• Intel Core i7-4650U processor with Intel HD Graphics 5000 at 1.7GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz with TPM Chip for enterprise security

The Venue 11 Pro on the other hand is available only with the new Broadwell Intel Core M processors (5th generation), starting with the entry level Intel® Core™ M-5Y10C, a Dual Core, Quad Thread processor with a base frequency of 800Mhz and a maximum Turbo Frequency of 2GHz. A versions is also available using the Intel® Core™ M-5Y71 vPro™ processor with a base frequency of 1.2GHz and capable of a maximum Turbo Frequency of 2.9GHz. The Core M-5Y71 is also a Dual Core, Quad Thread power efficient 4.5 watt processor. Compared to the Haswell processor which consumes from 10-15 watt for the same performance, the Core M is super efficient and requires no cooling fan allowing devices to be super thin.

• Intel® Core™ M-5Y10C processor with Intel HD Graphics 5300 at 800Mhz with Turbo Boost up to 2GHz
• Intel® Core™ M-5Y71 vPro™ processor with Intel HD Graphics 5300 at 1.2GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz

Note: Intel vPro Technology is a set of security and manageability capabilities built into the processor

We like to think that a mix of performance and efficiency is important in a tablet and as such the use of the 5th generation mobile processor in the New Venue 11 Pro is an advantage but offering a variety of different processors in the case of the Surface Pro 3 at different price points from entry to mid to high end give users the options to choose from. The reality is it really depends on the type of demands users place on these devices, how well they cope and how this affects its useful battery life between charge.

Winner: Venue 11 Pro

Display

The Surface Pro 3 is a clear winner here with a 12-inch Full HD Plus display compared to the 10.8-inch Full HD display on the Venue 11 Pro. Still both displays have jammed enough pixels in there to make everything super crisp and sharp. In order to be the tablet that can replace your laptop, Microsoft has taken to increasing the size of the screen from 10.6-inch on the Surface Pro 2 to the new 12-inch screen on the Surface Pro 3.

This has cemented a new direction for other tablet makers to follow with Toshiba announcing their Surface Pro 3 challenger, the Toshiba Portege Z20t with a 12.5-inch screen and HP’s detachable laptops, the HP Pavilion 13 x2, HP Split x2 and HP ENVY 13 x2 all with 13.3-inch screens. HP also has an even bigger tablet at 15.6″ on their ENVY 15 x2, that might be taking the idea of a big tablet a little too far.

Venue 11 Pro: 10.8 inch IPS Display with FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution with 10-pt capacitive touch

Surface Pro 3: 12 inch ClearType Full HD Plus, 2160 x 1440 resolution with 3:2 aspect ratio and multi-touch

Winner: Surface Pro 3

Memory

You can never have enough memory. The more memory there is the better the tablet is in handling large files and multitasking. Both Surface 3 and Venue 11 Pro 7000 series starting memory is 4GB which is pretty standard these days. You can upgrade to 8GB of RAM if you do a lot of video editing and image manipulation.

Venue 11 Pro: 4GB DDR3L at 1600MHz and 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz

Surface Pro 3: 4GB dual-channel LPDDR3 and 8GB dual-channel LPDDR3

Winner: Draw

Storage

The Surface Pro 3 a bigger storage options topping at 512GB. The Venue 11 Pro has only 3 storage option topping at 256GB. But given the premium on Surface Pro 3 for extra storage, it may be cheaper to consider a micro SD memory card, an external portable storage or wireless portable hard drive.

Venue 11 Pro: 64GB, 128GB or 256GB solid state storage

Surface Pro 3: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB or 512GB solid state storage

Winner: Surface Pro 3

Cameras

Not considering the actual captured image and lighting, but comparing solely on the specs at hand, we can safely say that the Venue 11 Pro does have an advantage with an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera compared to the 5.0 megapixel on the Surface Pro 3. But if anybody out there with a sample or photos taken with either tablets, please share them below.

Venue 11 Pro: 8 megapixel rear-facing camera and 2 megapixel front-facing camera

Surface Pro 3: 5.0 megapixel rear-facing camera, 5.0 megapixel front-facing camera

Winner: Venue 11 Pro

Battery Life

Venue 11 Pro shines here with the use of the energy efficient Intel Core M mobile processor. The tablet not only breaks the 7 hours mark compared to its predecessor but goes on par with Surface Pro 3 with an all day battery life of 9 hours. Attached an optional powered keyboard and you double the useful battery life to 18 hours. It is worth noting while the previous version has a user removable back plate allowing for the battery to be swapped out if need be, the new Venue 11 Pro doesn’t let you access the battery.

Venue 11 Pro: Primary 2-cell 38WHr Battery swappable, up to 10 Hours of battery life. Extend this to 18 hours with optional powered Dell Tablet Keyboard

Surface Pro 3: Non-swappable, up to 9 Hours of battery life

Winner: Venue 11 Pro

Price & Value

The Dell Venue 11 Pro presents better value for money. For the price of an entry level Surface Pro 3 you can already afford the Dell Venue 11 Pro with the high end mobile processor Intel Core M-5Y71 2.9GHz Dual Core. Compared to the Surface Pro 3, you will only get the entry level Intel i3 processor. See below for models available

Venue 11 Pro:

• Intel Core M-5Y10 2.0GHz Dual Core, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD + Slim Keyboard
• Intel Core M-5Y10 2.0GHz Dual Core, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD
• Intel Core M-5Y10 2.0GHz Dual Core, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD + Cellular Model (4G)
• Intel Core M-5Y71 2.9GHz Dual Core, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD
• Intel Core M-5Y71 2.9GHz Dual Core, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD + Cellular Model (4G)
• Intel Core M-5Y71 2.9GHz Dual Core, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
• Intel Core M-5Y71 2.9GHz Dual Core, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD + Cellular Model (4G)

Surface Pro 3:

• Intel i3, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD
• Intel i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD
• Intel i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
• Intel i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
• Intel i7, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD

Winner: Venue 11 Pro

Connectivity and Ports

Dell Venue 11 Pro does have more flexibility in terms of connectivity and ports. Instead of just a Mini DisplayPort on the Surface Pro 3, it comes with a micro HDMI port and supports Intel WiDi or Intel Wireless Display as well as Miracast that lets you share your screen to the big screen at High Definition. This is definitely a plus when you wish to share your video, movies, TV shows or photos on the big screen. Or, if you are at a business meeting and wishes to share your presentation securely to the conference room display over wireless.

Venue 11 Pro: Full-size USB 3.0, microSD™ card slot, micro HDMI, Dual band Wi-Fi: 2×2 11ac, Bluetooth^® 4.0 Low Energy technology, Intel WiDi, Miracast, Sensor Hub (Gyro, G-sensor, Proximity),

Surface Pro 3: Full-size USB 3.0, microSD™ card reader, Headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, Cover port, Wi-Fi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth^® 4.0 Low Energy technology, Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer)

Winner: Venue 11 Pro

Input Device and Stand

Venue 11 Pro: Dell Active Stylus is optional, Dell Tablet Folio cover allows multiple viewing angles. Dell is offering the entry level model with the slim keyboard cover.

Surface Pro 3: Surface Pro 3 has built-in kick stand that supports multiple positions. Their version of the stylus called the Surface Pen is also included as standard. You can buy the slim keyboard cover separately and connect this to the cover port.

Winner: Surface Pro 3

Dimensions and Weight

Evidently with a smaller screen, the Venue 11 Pro is smaller is size but not thinner, It is actually around 2mm thicker than the Surface Pro 3 but lighter at 757.3 grams. The Surface Pro 3 weighs 800 grams.

Venue 11 Pro: 11.01 x 6.95 x .42 inches (279.80 x 176.40 x 10.75mm) 1.6lbs (757.3 grams)

Surface Pro 3: 11.5” x 7.93” x 0.36” (292.1mm x 201.4mm x 9.1mm), 1.76lbs (800 grams)

Winner: Venue 11 Pro

Summary

So here is the result from our spec by spec comparison above. Surface Pro 3 aced in 4 out of 11 categories compared. Venue 11 Pro on the other hand came first in 6 out of 11 categories compared. Both Surface Pro 3 and Venue 11 Pro drew in the memory category as both offer the same memory sizes in their range. Venue 11 Pro is better in CPU, Camera, Battery Life, Price & Value, Connectivity Ports and Dimensions & Weight. Surface Pro 3 won the Display, Storage (options), Input Device & Stand and Customer Rating categories.

• CPU: Venue 11 Pro (with 5th Generation Intel Core Mobile processor)
• Display: Surface Pro 3
• Memory: Draw
• Storage: Surface Pro 3
• Camera: Venue 11 Pro
• Battery Life: Venue 11 Pro
• Price & Value: Venue 11 Pro
• Connectivity and Ports: Venue 11 Pro
• Input Device & Stand: Surface Pro 3
• Dimensions & Weight: Venue 11 Pro
• Customer Rating: Surface Pro 3 (by a small margin)

We hope this spec by spec comparison between the two tablets offers you an insight into what is on the table from the two tech giants. If you have either one of these devices, we would love to hear your experience. Drop your comments below.