Zotac Intros Dual-Core ZBOX Nano VD01 Series

News
By Kevin Parrish
published

Zotac has released a new series of ZBOX nano mini-PCs featuring VIA's dual-core Nano X2 U4025 CPU.

Thursday Zotac launched the latest addition to its ZBOX nano product lineup with the new ZBOX nano VD01 series. These palm-sized mini-PCs come packed with VIA's dual-core Nano X2 U4025 CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz, VIA's Chrome9 GPU with ChromotionHD 2.0 processing, and two USB 3.0 ports.

"Zotac is pleased to expand its mini-PC lineup with the addition of a VIA platform,” said Carsten Berger, marketing director, Zotac International. "The VIA Nano X2 with VX900H chipset enables us to deliver an affordable energy-efficient mini-PC that is ideal for digital media consumption and home server use with the Zotac ZBOX nano VD01 series."

The new VD01 series features two models: a bare-bones version and a "Plus" version. Both share the same specs across the board, and enough space to accommodate a 2.5-inch SATA drive and a DDR3 SO-DIMM module. However the "Plus" model actually ships with 2 GB of DDR3-1066 and a 320 GB 5400RPM HDD pre-installed.

As for additional specs, both models have HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n connectivity, Bluetooth 3.0, a MCE-compatible remote and integrated IR receiver, and more. To see a hardware spec list comparing the two models, head here.

Pricing and availability is unknown at this point, so stay tuned.

Kevin Parrish
15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • randomstar
    The real question is, how well does it run windows home server 2011?

    Reply
  • As a current "most recently current" ZBOX user, let me say, "I'm thrilled to *finally* see MCE IR receiver integration."

    Nothing like bloody USB dongles making a pretty box ... less so.
    Reply
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    I'm through with small form-factor solutions. Had four of them with busted LAN ports after last week's thunderstorm. In a full form-factor PC, I'd just add a PCI NIC and forget about it. Here? The whole motherboard has to be replaced.

    I'd rather take Zotac mini-ITX Z68/P67 boards - they're way cooler.
    Reply
  • andrewfy
    Looks like the nano duo is rushing in, as hoped, where the solo feared to tread.
    Reply
  • halcyon
    randomstarThe real question is, how well does it run windows home server 2011?No, the real question is...will it play Crysis?
    Reply
  • AbdullahG
    halcyonNo, the real question is...will it play Crysis?
    GPU: VIA Chrome9 graphics processor

    CPU: VIA Nano™ X2 U4025 (1.2 GHz, dual-core)

    RAM: 2GB DDR3

    No.
    Reply
  • Soul_keeper
    i'm most interesting in the idle/load power draw from the wall, compared to the ~13/27W that the llano zbox version uses
    Reply
  • ProDigit10
    Toms, please do another test on these mini platforms, whenever tegra 3 and Intel Atom D2500 come out! Thanks!
    Reply
  • delazaren
    amk-aka-phantomI'm through with small form-factor solutions. Had four of them with busted LAN ports after last week's thunderstorm. In a full form-factor PC, I'd just add a PCI NIC and forget about it. Here? The whole motherboard has to be replaced.I'd rather take Zotac mini-ITX Z68/P67 boards - they're way cooler.
    if you have damaged LAN ports but your PCs boot then you could get some usb-lan adaptors. Also for the future you could consider purchasing some lightning protectors for your lan ports. Search ebay for "ethernet lightning surge protector" and you'll find some.
    Reply
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    9315692 said:
    if you have damaged LAN ports but your PCs boot then you could get some usb-lan adaptors. Also for the future you could consider purchasing some lightning protectors for your lan ports. Search ebay for "ethernet lightning surge protector" and you'll find some.

    Not mine. This is some of the stuff I got in tech support; and they're all thin clients - I tried USB-LAN adaptors, but not all of them support booting through such a network adaptor, sadly.
    Reply