Zotac shrinks mini-PC, unveils ZBOX nano XS

Zotac has been cranking out tiny desktop computers with low power processors and mid-range graphics for the past few years. Many of the company’s mini-PC models aren’t much larger than an optical disc drive. But now Zotac is going even smaller.

The company has introduced a new model called the Zotac ZBOX nano XS.

The first computer in the new line is the ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus with an AMD E-450 dual core processor and Radeon HD 6320 graphics.

But it’s the tiny case design that makes the computer special. It measures 4.2″ x 4.2″ x 1.4″ while sitll making room for 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, a combo eSATA/USB 2.0 port, Ethernet, audio, and HDMI ports as well as a flash card reader.

Zotac says the new chassis is 17 percent smaller than its previous models, and can “easily slip into a jacket pocket.” I’m going to go out on a limb and say it depends on your jacket, but it’s still pretty small.

The ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus comes with 2GB of DDR3 memory and a 64GB mSATA solid state disk. It comes with a USB 802.11n WiFi dongle instead of an internal wireless card. Like most Zotac systems though, it will ship without an operating system.

Newegg sells the Zotac ZBOX nano XS AD11 for $205 after rebate.