Zotac is updating its ZBOX nano line of mini-desktops with a new model sporting an AMD A8-5545M quad-core processor and Radeon HD 8510G graphics.
The ZBOX nano AQ02 Â not exactly a premium gaming machine, but it should offer enough power for most basic computing tasks including home theater PC duties. It’d also make a decent option for a digital signage or kiosk system.
Zotac will offer a barebones version  and a ZBOX nano AQ02 Plus model that comes with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Neither model comes with an operating system, so you’ll have to supply your own.
The little computer has a 2.5 inch drive bay, support for up to 8GB of DDR3-1600 memory, DisplayPort and HDMI, a SATA connector and eSATA port, Gigiabit Ethernet, and built-in 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.
It has 4 USB 3.0 ports on the back and 2 USB 2.0 ports on the front, and the system has a 7-in-1 flash card reader.
Zotac describes it as a machine that’s good for HD video playback and “light gaming tasks.”
I want one with an AMD quad core processor and Linux with NO WinTel Inside! Why not ship one with 8gb RAM and a 128gb SSD? Heck, why not 4gb RAM and a 64gb SSD and Linux Mint 16 pre-installed for under $300? I’d buy one then for sure!
The Plus version has RAM and HDD installed. The normal version has no RAM and no HDD, so you can choose to install up to 8 GB of RAM (one slot) and any SSD you want.
It seems small is the new big. It is small but cool – IMO – in a big way. I like AMD.