Zotac Zbox Plus ID80 Intel Atom & GeForce ION Mini PC Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

The video begins with Linus introducing the Zotac ZBOX Plus ID80 as a compact mini PC that blends an Intel Atom processor with GeForce ION graphics. He notes the color-coded rings on the processor area to distinguish it from the AD04 model, which uses AMD APU, and explains the goal of a future head-to-head comparison on his NCIX channel. The unboxing reveals the Atom D2700 dual-core CPU at 2.13 GHz, paired with an NM10 Express chipset, and a discretely highlighted GT520 GPU with 512 MB of dedicated memory. He outlines the configurable nature of ZBOX units, available as barebones or fully equipped systems with RAM and a hard drive, and mentions the potential for memory expansion up to 8 GB across two slots. The package contents are unpacked, including manuals, driver discs, a two-year warranty, a power adapter, and a remote with batteries, along with a DVI-to-VGA adapter and a Wi-Fi antenna. Linus highlights the IO options on the unit: USB 3.0, USB 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, DVI, optical audio, and a front SD card reader, as well as a front-mounted power button and status LEDs. He demonstrates the physical mounting options, showing how the ZBOX can be clipped to the back of a TV or monitor using the provided mounting hardware and rubber feet. The video also notes practical considerations for OS installation, emphasizing that Zotac devices typically don’t include an OS and that USB 3.0 booting may be unreliable for OS installation, recommending USB 2.0 ports for OS installation. Linus concludes with a tease of a future shootout against the AD04 and invites viewers to subscribe to NCIX’s channel for the full comparison.

Topics · Technology · Hardware · Unboxing · HTPC