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Dell is offering the Zino HD mini-desktop computer for $399.99 when you use the coupon code 5TK?LC9VJ5F$33. At this price, the computer is a little more expensive than your typical Intel Atom-based nettop, but it offers far HD graphics capabilities, a much faster processor, and an opticla disc drive. Of course, it uses more power than an Atom-based system, but not that much more power. While AMD’s Athlon II X2 processors aren’t exactly power hogs, they can’t compare with Intel Atom chips in the conservation.
That said, for $400, here’s what you get with the Zino HD: A 2.3 GHz AMD Athlon II X2 P360 dual core processor, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 1TB hard drive, Radeon HD 4250 graphics, a DVD burner, and an infrared remote control.
I actually purchased a similar system last year and I’ve been meaning to get around to reviewing it for ages. It has a slightly slower processor but works extraordinarily well for streaming video from Netflix and Hulu. I also use it to stream audio and video from a different home theater PC on our home network and it works quite well. The fan is a little on the noisy side, but since the Zino HD is set up in our home gym, that doesn’t matter all too much.
The included remote control isn’t all that impressive. The buttons are tiny and hard to find by touch alone, so you may find yourself looking down at your fingers when you’re using the remote. I actually paid extra for the remote and kind of wish I had just picked up a third party solution instead. But since the remote is included in the price for this deal, you might as well try it out before deciding whether you need anything larger or with more programmable functions.
The coupon is good while supplies last, after which the price goes back to $500. At that price the Zino HD is a reasonably good deal, but at $400 it’s a lot more attractive.