Super HTPC

== == The device
The term "nano" is actually quite fitting. A smaller PC with these features you only get difficult. The device itself goes through as tiny.

== == Features
The wireless internet service is below average. Even my smartphone as better reception, but the connection is established. Bluetooth provides the ZBOX as a SD card reader and 4 USB ports (2x USB 3.0).

== == Operation
To install an operating system you close either to a bootable USB flash drive or a USB DVD drive.
The installation of Windows with this purchased by me 4GB RAM bolt struck by the way always fail - Windows can not complete the configuration on this hardware. So I just installed a 2GB RAM bolt from my notebook to install and ensure that everything ran smoothly. After that I was able to install the 4GB bars again. Windows no longer bleated.

The built-in AMD E-350 processor is noticeably faster than an Intel Atom processor, the PC can be quite smoothly operate, launch programs without much delay.

The fan of the ZBOX is audible, but not really disturbing - like a normal notebook fan halt. However, you should increase the fan-start temperature to 60 ° in the BIOS. Then the computer is nice and quiet and is still not too hot (the E-350 APU can accommodate up to max. 100 ° C.).

The scope of supply, inter alia, a nice remote control, which can be used in conjunction with the Windows Media Center or XBMC for example. Fits comfortably in your hand, only the reach is not too intoxicating. As large multimedia hard drive simply by closing still a 2TB disk with video, includes them and finished in the Media Center library!

== == Energy consumption
I measured about 30 watts in operation, but nevertheless still off nearly 7 watts. Use a power outlet with switch would be advisable here.

== Conclusion ==

If you need a compact and low-cost HTPC to watch videos and television, is the ZBOX nano is right for you. Strong buy recommendation from me, I'm happy and the ZBOX nano would buy again.

=== Supplement / Update: ===
Once I wanted umsatteln from HDD to an SSD, Windows itself could no longer install 7. I therefore switched to XBMCbuntu (Xubuntu, which boots directly into XMBC, but also a XFCE desktop offers) - which was quite easily. In order to get hardware acceleration for full-HD video, you need to install the xvba-driver from the repository. Here you get a top-current XBCMbuntu distro preinstalled xvba: [...]. The ISO file you can then draw with YUMI ([...]) as XMBCbuntu on a USB stick.
For optimum operation with an SSD you must change mode in the BIOS to AHCI, since the IDE mode is the default setting.