Search
Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
32 comments

Xi3 Intros Z3RO Pro x86-based Mini Computer

By - Source: Xi3 Corporation

The Z3RO Pro will be ideal as a home theater PC, taking up very little space.

At CES 2013, Xi3 Corporation introduced the Z3RO Pro Computer, a small form factor PC with a starting price point of $399. The chassis itself measures 1.875 x 4.875 x 3.625-inches, but don't let the size fool you: the Z3RO Pro is designed for general computer use in the home and business, and can even serve as a home theater PC.

"The Z3RO Pro Computer is the ideal size for the ultimate in small form factor x86-based general computing," said Jason A. Sullivan, founder, President and CEO. "In this post-PC era, it’s clear that there’s no reason to buy a tower or mini-tower computer ever again. Not only does the Z3RO Pro Computer help round out the Xi3 product line, it also marks the end of desktop computing as we’ve known it."

Under the hood, it will have a dual-core 64-bit x86-based CPU clocked at 1.65 GHz (with 2 MB of Level 2 cache). There will also be an integrated 80-core GPU, 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, and between 16 GB and 1 TB of internal SSD-based storage (with up to 12 Gbps throughput speeds), depending on your budget.

Two display ports will provide a max resolution of 2560 x 1600 including one HDMI/DisplayPort v1.2 and one mini-DisplayPort v1.2. As for other connectivity options, the miniature PC will sport four eSATAp 3.0 ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Wi-Fi connectivity wasn't mentioned, so customers may want to consider a dual-band media bridge that connects Ethernet-based devices to a wireless network.

Slated for a 2Q13 release, the Z3RO Pro will ship with openSUSE Linux v11.2, but it will also run an array of other x86-based platforms including Windows 8 and lower, UNIX, other Linux variants. It will also consume very little energy: 15 watts total.

"The Z3RO Computer runs on 15 Watts, making it arguably the most eco-friendly, small form factor, 64-bit x86-based dual-core general use computer ever built," the company said. "This translates to big savings over time."

For more info on the Z3RO Pro Computer, head here.

 

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

You need to be logged to post a comment

There are 32 Comments. B
Top Comments
  • 20 Ð
    ringzero , January 17, 2013 2:42 AM
    "In this post-PC era, it’s clear that there’s no reason to buy a tower or mini-tower computer ever again. Not only does the Z3RO Pro Computer help round out the Xi3 product line, it also marks the end of desktop computing as we’ve known it."

    The stuff people say to sell a niche product! har har.
  • 19 Ð
    mikenygmail , January 17, 2013 2:34 AM
    Too expensive, try half that price.
  • 15 Ð
    Onus , January 17, 2013 2:45 AM
    "...marks the end of desktop computing as we’ve known it."
    What a load of BS.
    I don't know anyone, for whom I've built a desktop PC over the last year or two, who could [comfortably] get by with something like this. They might have multiple drives, most need MUCH more CPU power, and anyone who plays games needs a more capable GPU.
Other Comments
  • 19 Ð
    mikenygmail , January 17, 2013 2:34 AM
    Too expensive, try half that price.
  • 4 Ð
    rebel1280 , January 17, 2013 2:34 AM
    Carputer anyone?!
  • 2 Ð
    shafe88 , January 17, 2013 2:39 AM
    So does this use an atom or a mobile i3(Xi3). If it's the atom used, I think they would of been better off using a low power AMD APU.
  • 20 Ð
    ringzero , January 17, 2013 2:42 AM
    "In this post-PC era, it’s clear that there’s no reason to buy a tower or mini-tower computer ever again. Not only does the Z3RO Pro Computer help round out the Xi3 product line, it also marks the end of desktop computing as we’ve known it."

    The stuff people say to sell a niche product! har har.
  • 15 Ð
    Onus , January 17, 2013 2:45 AM
    "...marks the end of desktop computing as we’ve known it."
    What a load of BS.
    I don't know anyone, for whom I've built a desktop PC over the last year or two, who could [comfortably] get by with something like this. They might have multiple drives, most need MUCH more CPU power, and anyone who plays games needs a more capable GPU.
  • 9 Ð
    theblade , January 17, 2013 2:48 AM
    shafe88So does this use an atom or a mobile i3(Xi3). If it's the atom used, I think they would of been better off using a low power AMD APU.


    I think they did use a low power AMD APU, those specs sound quite similar to an E-450.
  • 3 Ð
    Yuka , January 17, 2013 2:51 AM
    thebladeI think they did use a low power AMD APU, those specs sound quite similar to an E-450.


    It has to be, since if it were Intel, it would be around a thousand dollars, hahaha.

    No, but seriously, it sounds like the E450 alright. Maybe one of the refreshed Brazos parts.

    Cheers!
  • -2 Ð
    ojas , January 17, 2013 2:57 AM
    Quote:
    There will also be an integrated 80-core GPU

    What is with all the GPU-core reporting? How is that useful in determining performance? Plus it's misleading in a way, consumers will think in terms of traditional CPU cores.

    What CPU is this anyway, seems like a Intel part (don't AMD's APUs have much higher "GPU core" count?).

    ringzero"In this post-PC era, it’s clear that there’s no reason to buy a tower or mini-tower computer ever again. Not only does the Z3RO Pro Computer help round out the Xi3 product line, it also marks the end of desktop computing as we’ve known it."The stuff people say to sell a niche product! har har.

    "Here, transition to the Post-PC era using our...PC!!!" :lol: 
  • -8 Ð
    lradunovic77 , January 17, 2013 3:02 AM
    Better then Surface
  • 1 Ð
    shafe88 , January 17, 2013 3:05 AM
    ojasWhat is with all the GPU-core reporting? How is that useful in determining performance? Plus it's misleading in a way, consumers will think in terms of traditional CPU cores.What CPU is this anyway, seems like a Intel part (don't AMD's APUs have much higher "GPU core" count?)."Here, transition to the Post-PC era using our...PC!!!"
    Number of GPU-cores is very useful in determining performance as the more gpu cores means more performance in gaming and video decoding. Since this is most likely for a niche market I think most consumers will at least be tech savvy enough to tell the difference between CPU and GPU cores.
  • 1 Ð
    ojas , January 17, 2013 3:05 AM
    ojasWhat CPU is this anyway, seems like a Intel part (don't AMD's APUs have much higher "GPU core" count?).

    Ah i see people suggesting the E450.
  • 7 Ð
    therogerwilco , January 17, 2013 3:09 AM
    OMG 1.65 GHZ CPU!@!!!! AND 80 CORES IN THE GPU!!!
    THAT'S SUCH AN AMAZING PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, EVERYONE WHO BUILDS A DESKTOP HAS BEEN DOING THINGS WRONG.
    :|
  • 4 Ð
    ojas , January 17, 2013 3:11 AM
    shafe88Number of GPU-cores is very useful in determining performance as the more gpu cores means more performance in gaming and video decoding. Since this is most likely for a niche market I think most consumers will at least be tech savvy enough to tell the difference between CPU and GPU cores.

    Yeah but...well not really (rather not always). It depends on the architecture involved too, see table here:
    http://www.anandtech.com/show/6666/the-tegra-4-gpu-nvidia-claims-better-performance-than-ipad-4

    its...in some ways similar to saying "OH LOOK 2GB RAM GPU >>>> 1GB RAM GPU" without considering the rest, or assuming that a Hexa-core CPU will out-do a quad core or dual core all the time.
  • 3 Ð
    therogerwilco , January 17, 2013 3:13 AM
    lradunovic77Better then Surface


    Learn the difference between then and than. Perhaps then I will take your argument seriously about it being better than a Surface.
  • 4 Ð
    therogerwilco , January 17, 2013 3:14 AM
    ojasYeah but...well not really (rather not always). It depends on the architecture involved too, see table here:http://www.anandtech.com/show/6666 [...] han-ipad-4its...in some ways similar to saying "OH LOOK 2GB RAM GPU >>>> 1GB RAM GPU" without considering the rest, or assuming that a Hexa-core CPU will out-do a quad core or dual core all the time.


    It's like saying, "here's a pc with 32GB of RAM!"
    And then you see it's DDR. :) 
  • 2 Ð
    Cazalan , January 17, 2013 3:21 AM
    Another site put the actual ship date of Q2 so this is likely an AMD Temesh.

    A die shrink of the current Z-60 "Hondo" SoC with Jaguar cores. Hondo also has 80 GPU cores.
  • 3 Ð
    A Bad Day , January 17, 2013 3:21 AM
    shafe88Number of GPU-cores is very useful in determining performance as the more gpu cores means more performance in gaming and video decoding. Since this is most likely for a niche market I think most consumers will at least be tech savvy enough to tell the difference between CPU and GPU cores.


    http://www.tech-forums.net/forums/f6/nvidia-7800-wont-work-63893/

    Nope...
  • 2 Ð
    heero yuy , January 17, 2013 3:23 AM
    shafe88So does this use an atom or a mobile i3(Xi3). If it's the atom used, I think they would of been better off using a low power AMD APU.


    most of their other stuff uses amd APUs so I don't see why they should change now :/ 
  • 2 Ð
    sykozis , January 17, 2013 3:44 AM
    This POS is too expensive for it's lack of capability..... Can do just as much with one of those ARM based "PC on a stick" things for a lot less...
  • 4 Ð
    back_by_demand , January 17, 2013 4:32 AM
    lradunovic77Better then Surface

    2 can play that game, comparing things in totally different markets
    ...
    Football helmets are way better than baseball bats

    See? that was so easy

Display more comments
Related Content