| Zotac ZBOX Intel Atom D510 1.66 GHz Dual Core All-in-One Mini-PC with No Memory, No Hard Drive and No OS | 
| Brand: Zotac
Category: Personal Computer
List Price: $249.99
Buy New: $219.99
as of 9/8/2010 11:30 MDT details
You Save: $30.00 (12%)
New (5) from $219.99
Seller: Buy.com
Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 485
Media: Personal Computers
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 13.5 x 10.5 x 3.8
MPN: ZBOXHD-ID11
Model: ZBOXHD-ID11-U
EAN: 4897022324575
ASIN: B003N198UG
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | Zotac Customizable Everywhere Mini-PC | | • | Intel Atom D510 CPU (1.66 GHz, Dual-Core), NVIDIA ION GPU (w/512MB DDR3 memory) | | • | 1 2.5-inch SATA 3.0 Gb/s hard drive, 1 200-pin DDR2-800 SO-DIMM | | • | NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology, NVIDIA CUDA technology, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 acceleration, DirectX 10 compatible | | • | HDMI (1080p w8-channel audio), Dual-link DVI, HDCP compliant, VGA , NVIDIA nView multi-display technology |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
|
| Customer Reviews:
Decent HTPC but Still Lacking in Spots September 2, 2010
Scott Showalter (Ohio, USA)
I recently had a chance to compare this Zotac MAG to the to its most popular competitor from Acer (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030L3ASU?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8) and I have a bit to say about both. I've broken down my comparison by specific sections, detailing often-overlooked characteristics of computers.
As someone who has been involved in mini-PCs, having owned one since ASUS first started vying to draw attention away from Apple's still-visually-unchanged Mac Mini, I hope you find my review helpful and that the insight I share positively impacts your buying decision.
=== OPERATING SYSTEM ===
You may have noticed that no operating system is included with this unit. While some may see this as a limitation or a caveat, true HTPC junkies know that the best home theater programs are truly found on Windows. Windows Media Center is a decent looking application and it indeed works, but it has limitations (mostly due to the legalities of Digital Rights Management). Open source applications like MythTV, XBMC and Boxee (the latter two being front-end only, meaning no recording capabilities) give you a bit more freedom with what you can do with your media, including flexibility and where your media is viewed (e.g. on an alternate computer, media extender, burned to DVD, transferred to a mobile device, etc).
So, there's a bit of logic to the exclusion of an operating system such as Windows 7 with this unit. But if you're still a sucker for Windows, the least I can do is save you a bit of money by suggesting you get the OEM edition (32-bit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NGJO92?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8 or 64-bit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NGQLSY?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8) which comes without the fancy (read: pricier) rounded-corner packaging that intrigues us consumers. On the other hand, the Acer model (linked at the beginning) comes with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. It saves you time, costs you an extra thirty, and doesn't help you much unless you really want Windows 7 Home Premium. At least Home Premium has Windows Media Center though.
=== CAPABILITIES ===
Unfortunately, however, the operating system wasn't the only thing to be left out so that failed to deliver on a CD/DVD drive, as well as a decent way to implement some form of TV capture card (whether mini PCI-E, onboard hookup, or otherwise). The missing media drive can be an annoyance, especially considering it is annoying sometimes to get USB drives to work, especially on bootup when you're starting out with a machine that's missing its most essential component, the OS, which needs to be installed in some form or another. For such a sexy box, a viable solution might be to grab one of these thin, sexy external drives (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C1BBU8?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8) which won't detract from the all-important visual appeal, if your box will ever have eyes laid upon it and you still want to play and burn CDs and DVDs, or ever want to install CD/DVD based software from time to time without too much hassle.
However, between the (forgiveable) missing media drive and the (inexcusable) missing TV capture solution, I really can't recommend this for use as an HTPC, in full or part, because it makes this device pretty limited. Technically, if you have digital cable, you could get a remote dual-tuner (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010Y414Q?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8). Otherwise, about all you be able to do is use it more as a media extender for another PC already set up to act as the main media server/TV-capture source. Of course, if you're only after this unit for use as a media extender, it may just suit your needs perfectly. Be sure to snag a good media-center remote (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00123UGWQ?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8) if that is indeed the case. From my experience and perspective Zotac is great at making gear *almost* good enough to be used as an HTPC.
=== POWER ===
Is it powerful? Sure. Is it efficient? Absolutely. That's what the Nvidia ION is all about: pairing the power of the central processor with the graphics processor for an economical yet potent combination. Media will benefit from the ION core, which is why Nvidia ION boards and boxes are so popular for use with HTPC implementations.
Can you call this a multi-tasking beast, on the other hand? Not really. While indeed you do benefit from the multi-tasking capabilities provided by dual-core hyperthreading Atom processor that Zotac chose to use with this unit, there are reasonable limits, especially if media is playing (including in the browser). You probably don't want to be browsing the Web with more than a handful of tabs open, especially since Flash-based media is placed on and over-abundance of websites these days. So, leaving browser tabs open will begin to bog down the machine rather quickly, especially if you tend to browse the web fiendishly like I do (opening as many Google results as I can in separate tabs, and similar antics).
If you use multiple apps or programs at once, you probably don't want to run more than 2-3 (and try to keep background processes and system-tray utilities to a minimum as well). The system can withstand the graphics intensive Aero interface Windows Vista and 7 provides pretty well, but when you start to accrue several windows, all which employ the same translucent effects, they can degrade the performance of the machine over time as well.
=== HEAT ===
I must admit, I almost took this for a device encased in heat-friendly metal. Turns out it's just the fancy product-marketing graphics that portray it as something shiny and sleek. While, indeed it is, it's just shiny and sleek in plastic form. That being considered, the amount of venting is not quite as adequate as is to be desired, but proper venting is an obstacle to many of today's mini-pc form factors. Unit is warm when idle, but can heat up a bit during moderate to heavy use (watching movies, etc). Both the Zotac and the Acer had about the same heat radiance.
=== NOISE ===
Noise can also be a concern when considering using a machine as an HTPC, but audiophiles wouldn't be caught using cheap gear anyway. With the Zotac MAG, you'll hear it running if you try (e.g. stick your head up to it), but to say it's noisy would be a mistake. The noise generated by the system is pretty much on par with or less noticeable than anything else you're probably running at home. VCRs were noisier. The static from your speakers are probably even noisier. Plus, if it's mounted to the back of your TV, the TV itself would block most of the sound in the unlikely event that the fans were to start roaring up.
=== SPACE ===
The size and flexibility of the Zotac MAG are quite unique. Zotac offers you multiple configurations, three to be exact. The first is to position the box flat (no stand). Position option two is to stand the device straight up, using its stand. Option three is for those who have a flat screen TV, but aren't using the VESA mount: there's an attachment that fixates itself to the VESA mount screws on the back of your TV, to which you will attach the Zotac MAG, essentially hiding it from view behind your TV. In some configurations, this may make it annoying for you to access the box easily, but if not, it can be a convenience.
=== OTHER CONSIDERATIONS ===
Some might be considering this unit for purposes other than an HTPC, such as web browsing, a home music and file sharing server, even as a spare computer for the kids (with proper parental controls, of course). The idea of these small PCs is really to allow you to equip just about every room in the house with the 'digital experience' ...whatever that may encompass for you.
Just keep in mind that with the Zotac MAG, you'll need to make sure you grab a keyboard and mouse (I recently took a liking to this one, specifically geared towards the HTPC market: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030UJK2G?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8) if you want to use as more than just a media player. Meanwhile, the competition (Acer) comes with a keyboard and mouse, but it is bulky and not very attractive.
Hope this review has been helpful!
 The perfect HTPC? August 30, 2010
KiwiTechi
I was a little concerned that the Z-BOX would be a bit underpowered, but the new atom processor coupled with the ION chip set give it plenty of go.
With win7 it works right out of the box, although you'll need to get the latest NVIDIA drivers (windows update has these as optional updates), and it required a Bios update to quiet the fan, but once that was done it was pretty much inaudible, especially with the TV on.
As an indication of how it handles the load, Media Center uses about 40% CPU (distributed across the 4 cores) even when recording 2 HDTV channels using separate USB DVB-T receivers and playing back a previously recorded show (all at 1080i).
There was even enough grunt in the ION graphics (which are supposed to be equivalent to a GeForce 218) to get it play Left 4 Dead, UT3, Portal etc. all at near HD resolutions, with reasonable frame rates, although the details and reflections were turned down.
Getting it to work with MythTV (back end / front end all in one) was a little more challenging, but that's down to Linux not the PC. In the end, it worked for that as well.
It wakes as expected from signals on the Microsoft USB remote control, but not the RF keyboard or mouse, and the BIOS doesn't support wake on lan - for me not a show stopper.
The only other minor issue I have found is that any drives attached to the eSata port get seen as non-removable, only gets detected if the device is present at boot, and Windows crashes if it's unplugged.
Does run a little warm, especially when you hit it hard with games, but it doesn't seem excessive.
On the whole, I'm very happy with it!
 Feature rich, but not robust. Zotac needs better quality control July 13, 2010
S. Desai (San Jose, CA)
11 out of 16 found this review helpful
I was quite excited buying this box after reading reviews and spec over the web! I wish I would have purchased Acer AspireRevo instead.
Good:
1) HDMI and S/PDIF works great
2) Lots of USB port, so you will never run out of it!
3) eSATA port provides better expansion
4) Has on board GigE, so if you want to use this for HTPC along w/ shared storage, it will work great
5) Doesn't come with any HDD, RAM, OS so you can pick and choose :)
Bad:
1) Out of the box fan was very noisy. Luckily BIOS upgrade fixed the problem.
2) Spec says it has built-in 802.11n :) Beware that if your AP is more than 20 feet away, you are out of luck! Signal reception is very poor. So, read reviews on this before you buy, if WiFi is a must for you.
3) I've strange issue with USB power. When I connect the power cable to zbox attached USB devices gets power even if I don't power on the zbox itself! My HDD continues to spin for ever. I opened support ticket but no help/response from Zotac. If I turn on the zbox for few seconds and turn off, USB devices stops getting power. Some bug in h/w I guess. Yes, I know about "Wake on USB" and I've already tried changing that setting as well.
4) It has RED LED behind power on/off button. If u put zbox in standby mode, it keeps on blinking along with the Blue Ring! Very distracting to keep in living room. If you disable Blue Ring logo from BIOS, then power on/off button is always RED even when system is up and running :)
It's getting quite hot even after 1-2 hours of use, so if you are thinking for a long use, you may need to use ice pack.
Adding HDD, RAM and OS will cost you same as Aspire Revo. Revo comes w/ wireless keyboard and mouse with the similar CPU and GPU power. Revo has Atom 330 and not 510, but for HTPC use, heavy lifting is done by GPU anyway, so you really don't need powerful CPU. 330 should be good enough. And review says WiFi is not bad. So, my suggestion would be to buy Revo and not zbox. Also, Revo looks very nice compared to zbox.
So, think before you buy!
|
|
|
All Orders and Credit Card Processing are handled by Amazon.com. QUESS, Inc. is not responsible for price or quality issues.
All product inquiries must be done with Amazon.com. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. QUESS, Inc. in Association with Amazon.com | |
![Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Home Premium to Professional]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B002JYU5WI.01._AA75_PU_PU-5_.jpg)
