The new Dell Venue 8 Pro is one of the latest devices from the PC maker that features a full Windows 8.1. Plus, it comes with a price tag of only $199(holiday price), making it a steal for anyone. You just might see this device popping up on a lot of Christmas lists this holiday season and there are several reasons why.

An Eye-Popping Opening Price

This fabulous, unheard-of price is only for one day and only for the first 20 customers in a Microsoft store. On Monday December 8th, the tablet can be purchased for that price if you are one of the first people to get to the location. It will then sell at $199 as long as supplies last. Originally priced at $299, this is a steal. But even if you are too late to grab it at those prices, it's still a great value for what you get. And if you compare it to other similar gadgets, many of them are priced higher even than the regular price.

Responsive and Portable

The Dell Venue 8 Pro is a tablet you will enjoy using. With the quad-core Intel processor, it is responsive with no lag time. Plus, with the updated Windows 8.1, you'll find it easier to multi-task on the evenly split screen.

The tablet weighs in at only 0.87 lb. and has a thickness of 0.35 inches to be a lightweight, portable option for everyday use. It also has a decent battery life of eight hours or up to ten if you reduce the screen brightness, which means you can use it all day before it needs recharged.

Great for Work

This tablet is not only great for personal use; it will appeal to business users. First, because the name Dell is a well-recognized, respected name in computers, and second, because of its great features. Of course, one of the draws for any Windows 8.1 device is the ability to install Microsoft Office to continue working away from the office. While you can store your work in the cloud, this tablet comes with plenty of storage at 32 GB for times when you aren't connected to the internet. It also has slots for MicroSD cards and other external storage.

You also have the option of using a stylus or connecting to a keyboard. Dell plans to release a keyboard in the near future as well. In addition, it comes with front and rear cameras and webcam for phone calls and virtual meetings.

The touchscreen has an HD resolution, which is ideal for creating and viewing presentations and for viewing photos and video. At 8 inches, this tablet provides ample viewing for such a small device while still providing the portability users require.

The Best of Its Kind

While there is a lot of talk about the Surface Pro and Pro 2 and how Microsoft is attempting to compete in the tablet market, you can't forget about the other way that the company takes on the competition. Microsoft is continuing to do what it has always done better than anyone else, and that is sell other companies on the idea of its operating system.

A Leader in OS

Windows has been synonymous with desktop operating systems for PCs for years. While Google and Firefox have become known for their own systems, Microsoft is still the clear leader in PCs. That's why it's no surprise to see the company making inroads in the tablet industry in the same way. Just like you expect to see Windows 8 in most PCs you buy, the company wants to have that advantage in the mobile device industry. New releases from companies such as Dell and Lenovo may poise Windows to surpass the iPad one day.

The Dell Venue 8 Pro

Apple and Android have been battling for control of the 8-inch tablet arena and now Microsoft has entered the competition with the Dell Venue 8 Pro and Windows 8.1. With a quad-core processor, the Venue 8 Pro will run faster and smoother with the full version of Windows 8. It's got great storage at 32 GB with 64 GB optional and microSD options. Plus, it comes with Office Home and Student 2013 Tablet Edition to take advantage of another of Microsoft's strong areas.

The price is also right at $299 or $350 for the 64 GB. It is obviously going to be a competitor for Apple and Android and provides a great first showing for Windows 8.1 on Dell.

The Lenovo Miix2

Lenovo is also launching a new 8-inch tablet with the Windows 8.1 OS. It features a similar price point to the Dell tablet and includes an optional stylus for $20 more along with a removable cover. This device combines the functionality and power of a full size device with the portability of an 8-inch tablet. It will appeal to business users or anyone who wants to be able to do just about anything on a mobile device that they could on a PC.

Storage is the same for the Lenovo as for Dell and includes a microSD slot for even more storage. It will also include the Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 so users can create, edit, and manage their documents no matter where they are.

With these two options coming on the market, there is going to be some obvious competition for both Apple and Android devices. The Windows 8.1 operating system provides the power and features that business users need and other users can appreciate. Plus, it is easier to continue with the same operating system on the go as what you use at home or at work. With new products like this, Microsoft just may become the leader of the tablet industry in spite of critics' expectations.