Zotac ZBOX Nano AD10 Plus U Mini SFF PC Review
Our Summary and Conclusion
Performance Summary: In comparison to other ultra small form factor systems and similarly equipped mobile devices in its same class, the Zotac Zbox Nano AD10 Plus is a good performer. Generally speaking this diminutive system performs exactly as other E-350 APU-bases systems would. AMD’s driver team has made great strides since we first examined the E-Series, however, which allows the Zbox Nano to pull ahead of our reference numbers, which were generated using a previous driver rev. Power consumption and noise are non-issues and multimedia playback was excellent.
We really like the Zotac Zbox Nano AD10 Plus. A lot. For such a tiny device, it offers a plethora of features and a user experience that’s right in line with other E-Series APU-based products. Aesthetically, the minimalistic design and unobtrusive square enclosure allow the machine to blend into almost any environment, making it well suited to home theater applications or even as a low-power secondary PC. The included accessories compliment the machine nicely and at about $320 for the “Plus” model we looked at here, which includes a hard drive and 2GB of RAM, Zotac is pricing the machine competitively. Although, please note, the system does not include an OS.
With that said, the machine is not perfect. It could definitely use a few more USB ports and the integrated Wi-Fi controller didn’t perform as well as some others we’ve used in the lab. We’d also argue that the non-Plus model is the better way to go. The 5400RPM HD included in the Plus edition drags down performance somewhat and with RAM prices so low, it’s a shame not to put 4GB in the machine. Grab the Zbox Nano barebones kits, which can be found for about $210, an affordable SSD or 7200RPM hard drive and 4GB of RAM, and you’ll have a better experience for marginally larger investment.
Regardless of which route you choose, however, the Zotac Zbox Nano AD10 is likely to please. It’s a very cool device that’s worthy of consideration if you’re shopping for a machine of its type.
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