Zotac is showing off a whole slew of upcoming ZBOX mini desktop computers at the Consumer Electronics Show this week. Most are expected to ship in the second quarter of 2018, and most are pretty obvious upgrades from previous-generation models.
For example, there are new models with 8th-gen Intel Core U processors that look just like their predecessors with 7th-gen chips (but which should offer significantly better performance thanks from the move from dual-core to quad-core processors). And there’s a new ZBOX CI329 with an Intel Gemini Lake processor that looks just like the CI327 with an Apollo Lake chip.
But Zotac is also launching a new fanless chassis for higher-performance, passively cooled processors that will allow the company to offer its first fanless mini desktop with up to an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU.
Here’s a quick run-down of some of the new systems Zotac is showing off. The company hasn’t announced prices yet, but for models that are incremental upgrades you can probably expect this year’s versions to sell for close to the same prices as their predecessors.
ZBOX MI640 Nano and MI660 Nano
These little square-shaped computers are basically Zotac’s answer to Intel’s NUC line of devices.
The new models will be available with Intel Core i5-8250U or Core i7-8550U processor options and they support up to 32GB of RAM, a 2.5 inch hard drive or SSD, and have a bunch of ports including USB Type-C and TYpe-A ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2, mic and headset jacks, and an SD card reader.
The computers are VESA mountable if you want to attach them to the back of a monitor or TV for use in digital signage or a DIY all-in-one desktop-like computer.
ZBOX CI329 Nano and CI660 Nano (fanlesss models)
This update to Zotac’s line of passively cooled, fanless desktops sports a quad-core Intel Celeron N4100 Gemini Lake processor.
It’s a little larger than the MIxxx series devices, in order to help dissipate heat generated by the processor without using fans. But it’s still pretty small for a desktop computer.
The demo unit I saw features separate mic and headphone jacks, an SD card reader, USB Type-C and Type-A ports, HDMI, DIsplayPort, VGA, and Ethernet jacks.
There’s also a new fanless chassis that’s about twice as wide, which Zotac says will allow the company to offer fanless computers with up to an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 -8550U15-watt, quad-core processor.
Zotac is calling the new version the CI660 Nano, and it supports dual channel DDR4-2400 memory, has a 2.5 inch drive bay, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, four USB 3.0 ports, and an SD card reader as well as DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 ports.
ZBOX MA551
This model has an AMD AM4 socket for Ryzen chips up to 65 watts.
The chassis is similar to one that the company has used for previous AMD-powered mini PCs, although the demo unit I checked out felt kind of light-weight, so I suspect it may have been an empty case.
According to the spec sheet provided, this model should support up to 32GB of RAM, features a 2.5 inch drive bay, and has HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, and 6 USB 3.0 ports.
Workstation and Gaming
The company is also showing off a line of small form-factor gaming PCs and workstations.
While the game systems are significantly larger than the rest of Zotac’s ZBOX devices, they’re still relatively compact for powerful gaming PCs.
The latest top-of-the-line model sports an Intel Core i7-8700 Coffee Lake processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics, and support for high-end gaming and virtual reality.
Other models feature 7th-gen Intel chips and/or AMD Ryzen processor options.
The new mini workstations each sport a Core i5-7500T processor, but Intel has options with NVIDIA Quadro P1000, P3000, and P5000 graphics, depending on your needs.
Even smaller
The company also unveiled two new “Pico” computers as part of its PIxxx series. These little guys were so cute I decided to cover them in their own article:
Zotac unveils ZBOX Pico mini PCs with Intel Gemini Lake chips
So where are Intel NUC PCs line with Gemini Lake (June Canyon)? or did they gave up with idea?
Bought one of these on ebay, open box, worked for 1 week and gpu crapped out.
Gpu is definitely not self-service and zotac never responded to emails requesting a repair (that i offered to pay for)
meh