I try to time my first review ;-)
The Zotac AD10 I bought as a potential HTPC.
Before buying, I occupied myself more with the theme HTPC and wanted to actually build one of the individual components.
But then I saw the ZBOX nano models and it was love at "almost" at first glance. ;-)
The "almost" is only due to the fact that can not be add-on cards (TV card) block in the housing.
Since this is also the self-made only in fairly large housings possible (much greater than that of 12x12x4 AD10), I opted for a compromise between AD10 and USB DVB-T stick.
Since I had lying around a SSD, I have decided for the barebones version.
Installing the SSD and RAM:
Works more than just a few minutes. Only a very fine screwdriver is required.
Commissioning:
About a bootable USB flash drive read without problems the firmware update. This transforms from a "oldschool" Bios look after the update in a new and colorful UEFI BIOS. The BIOS settings should be set after the update to standard back and adjusted after rebooting to their own needs.
For use as a HTPC I opted as a platform for OpenELEC because I wanted an operating system that only brings exactly what a HTPC needs.
Since I had nothing to do apart from a few points of contact with Linux, I was skeptical at first.
Skepticism, however, was unfounded. The AD10 seems to be an excellent choice for OpenELEC because after appropriate adjustments (which you can do almost all over the OpenELEC GUI) all Anforderngen are met on the system. In addition, it is on the support matrix of OpenELEC.
By combining nano AD10 and OpenELEC I now have a HTPC with inter alia the following properties:
- Fast-booting system (estimated at boot time: 5-10 seconds)
- Full use of OpenELEC via the supplied remote control Zotac
- Sound output via HDMI
- Noiseless system (the system can not be heard with me)
- Energy-efficient system (runs continuously only at about 25% and 800MHz At full load, it will consume approximately 25W..)
- Small + haptic system
- Can watch TV and record if necessary (works via USB with Hauppaugge HVR-900)
I've been thinking my Phenom 965 to peel from the ID61, as this anyway just bored and I did not feel in a short test of Windows 7 on the Nano, that this is overtaxed (of course depending on use).
Real sexy the Nanos ;-)
