Zotac Zbox-ID31DVD-Plus

           The smallest PCs are some of the sexiest. But they’re also the most challenging for DIYers to build, generally a result of diminutive form factors with limited thermal headroom. Zotac’s line of Zbox mini PCs is designed to enable plenty of hardware choices while maintaining consistently tiny enclosures. Alright, so Zotac’s Zbox-ID31DVDPlus isn’t really a DIY kit. But even with your favorite Mini-ITX motherboard and chassis, it’d be nearly impossible to build a PC this small and attractive. The very inclusive package is composed of a 1.8GHz dual-core Atom processor, Nvidia’s second-gen Ion chipset (with its own 512MB pool of memory), 1GB of DDR2 system memory, a 250GB hard drive, a DVD player, and wired/

wireless networking. Really, the only thing left for you to install is software. This would be an amazingly quiet platform for watching movies in a theater room; the big omission, though, is a Blu-ray drive. Instead, the installed DVD/ CD burner limits you to standard-def physical media. PlayStation 3s can be had for less, and with Blu-ray functionality. Instead of doing home-theater duties, then, the Zbox-ID31DVD-Plus is perhaps best suited as an inconspicuous mainstream desktop. Web browsing, word processing, email—they’re all satisfactory under Windows 7. Zotac even bundles a VESA mount with the mini PC, letting you affix it to the back of your favorite display. Nvidia’s graphics chip is frankly too anemic for hardcore gaming, but it’s an option for many mainstream situations. Here’s the great thing about Zotac’s Zbox lineup. If you don’t like this model’s specs, the company has 25 other options. Some have AMD Fusion-based CPUs, Celerons, Pentiums, more memory, and yes, even Blu-ray drives.

Zbox-ID31DVD-Plus

Zotac

www.zotacusa.com

Specs: Intel Atom D525; Intel NM10 Express chipset; Nvidia Next-Gen Ion (with 512MB DDR3); 1GB DDR2-800 (expandable to 4GB); 250GB hard drive; DVD±RW

drive; Ports: 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, 1 combo USB 2.0/eSATA, Gigabit Ethernet; 802.11n; Dimensions: 1.5 x 11.02 x 7.36 inches (HxWxD)

            Credit to Computer Power User Magazine

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