CPU: Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor D510(1.66 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache)
Chipset: Intel NM10 Express
Memory: 1x 200Pin DDR2-800 SODIMM, Max capacity Upto 4GB
Audio: Integrated Onboard 7.1-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
LAN: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet Controller; 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN
Ports: 6x USB 2.0 Ports(4 rear, 1 on front panel, 1 by header); 1x DVI Port; 1x HDMI Port; 1x eSATA Port; 1x Digital S/PDIF Out; 1x RJ45 LAN Port; Audio I/O Jacks
Note: Products with electrical plugs are designed for use in the US. Outlets and voltage differ internationally and this product may require an adapter or converter for use in your destination. Please check compatibility before purchasing.
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Customers like the quality and size of the computer. For example, they say it's well worth the money, and the small size makes it easy to move around. Customers appreciate the ease of setup. That said, opinions are mixed on performance, fan, and wireless signal.
Customers like the size of the computer. For example, they mention it's small and easy to move around. Some say it fits the bill perfectly and is a nice mini PC.
"...It quiet, small and fairly fast...." Read more
"...in storage, I'm using the ZBOX as a substitute for web-surfing, it's small size makes it easy to move where ever I need to setup shop for the..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the wireless signal. Some mention that the speed is very good, the reception is much better, and the computer streams Amazon Video gloriously. However, others say that the wireless internet speed is intolerable, the setup is bad, and that Firefox runs slow at first.
"...My wireless signal is constant, the fan noise minute, the ION card now gives you a lot of options for tweaking, etc...." Read more
"...As most reviewers noted the onboard wifi is horrific. Seriously, it's terrible. I live in a 700 sq. ft...." Read more
"...Streams Amazon Video gloriously through the HDMI port to my Mitsubishi WD-73732...." Read more
"...recently upgraded the wireless router (with 802.n), and the reception is now much better than before...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the computer. Some mention that it works efficiently and right out of the box, while others say that it is nearly unusable with the extended buffering that occurs when.
"...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..." Read more
"...As most reviewers noted the onboard wifi is horrific. Seriously, it's terrible. I live in a 700 sq. ft...." Read more
"...hard drive for it and ran my security system through it and it all works great...." Read more
"...It is nearly unusable with the extended buffering that occurs when playing back network video. If possible, use a wired connection...." Read more
6 customers mention "Fan"4 positive2 negative
Customers are mixed about the fan. Some mention that the signal is constant, the fan noise minute, and it's quiet, small, and fairly fast. However, others say that the fan is still pretty noisy even after they upgraded the BIOS.
"...all for 334 bucks.Hd sound is also great, managed to pump up the sub to resonate with my living room, which makes it GREAT for parties...." Read more
"...First, the system fan is quite loud on some systems. However, upgrading the BIOS to the most recent version (as of 12/2010) fixed mine...." Read more
"...It quiet, small and fairly fast...." Read more
"...Regardless, this ZBOX hums along just fine with Linux installed...." Read more
After downloading everything, all complaints made by other commentators seemed to have been fixed. My wireless signal is constant, the fan noise minute, the ION card now gives you a lot of options for tweaking, etc. I only wish I'd known beforehand about the 4gb support, but oh well.
Setup was a breeze, just open, plug, and close.
Windows 7 ultimate (64 bit) hasn't crashed on me (first time using it, I have had bad experiences with vista), although firefox did run slow at first, but then I downloaded Minefield (Firefox 3.0) for 64 bit OS, and it turned normal again.
The glossy black color goes perfect with my home theather, since most everything is the same color, even the blue ring matches.
1080p runs like butter on this baby, since my 120 hz LG HDTV makes it so :). VLC did need some tweaking here and there in order to be perfect.
I bought htpc, wireless k/m, hdd, memory etc. all for 334 bucks.
Hd sound is also great, managed to pump up the sub to resonate with my living room, which makes it GREAT for parties. Karaoke is a must on this thing.
So happy that I bought this, i recommend this product to anyone, with a smile :).
As with most things, this product has things it does well and things it doesn't. As most reviewers noted the onboard wifi is horrific. Seriously, it's terrible. I live in a 700 sq. ft. apartment and it could not maintain a reliable connection to my access point. My Wii, two Android phones, two laptops all have no problem but the ZBOX either could not connect or would constantly reconnect. As other reviewers have suggested, I bought a USB wifi dongle (two in fact), this worked but caused another problem. Because the ZBOX is underpowered using the USB wifi dongle maxed out the CPU so badly it was unable to play video. USB wifi works well for browsing the web and checking email again, but can't stream a video over NFS (I verified this by copy the file to the disk and playing off that which worked perfectly).
Onto what it does well... besides the wifi issues it's a great little PC. If one were to use it for basic browsing/email checking (with wifi dongle or onboard ethernet) it would be a great PC for it's price. It quiet, small and fairly fast.
I'm giving this product two starts... I just can't understand why a device with much potential would ship with such a bad wifi setup.
I was hoping to use this for Netflix HD streaming in Windows 7 64-bit. Even after intalling the latest driver and the Silverlight beta 5 (which is supposed to use video decoding offload), I still could not play Netflix HD streaming content. I'm considering a E-350 tiny box now, although another itx motherboard based system I have with a low end socket 775 Intel E3200 processor and AMD 6450 video card in the single PCI-e slot CAN do Netflix HD streaming.
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.
I've installed XBMC Live on a handful of these for myself and family members. Outfitted with a 2GB SO-DIMM, and a 30GB OCZ SSD, they work 100% with very little "tweaking" required.
There is one thing that needs to be kept in mind when ordering this system; don't assume that the hardware you have laying around from desktop PC upgrades will work with this system. Essentially, it requires memory and a hard drive that are designed for laptop systems. Don't let that scare you away, though. These components are easily found on Amazon.
Others have commented on a few flaws in this particular system. First, the system fan is quite loud on some systems. However, upgrading the BIOS to the most recent version (as of 12/2010) fixed mine. Second, it has been pointed out that the on-board wifi is awful. It is nearly unusable with the extended buffering that occurs when playing back network video. If possible, use a wired connection. Another solution is to replace the factory wifi card with a better card (Intel, etc). The card is located on the back side of the motherboard and only accessible by totally removing the motherboard from the case. This solution isn't for everyone; in doing it you must remove a "warranty invalid if removed" sticker. Directions for this upgrade can be found with a simple Google search.