The Mini Zbox AD06 is a compact
desktop with beautiful design, diverse ways of installing and displaying, and
the specification is sufficient for entertainment and office purposes when
combined with TV.
The Zotac Zbox AD06 version that we
experience this time also has a similar design to the ID82’s. The big
difference between the two products is that the ID82 uses Intel processors, whereas
the AD06 uses AMD APU-platform processors (with graphics processors integrated
into processing cores).
The
Zotac Mini Zbox AD06
In Zbox models running AMD processors, the
AD06 model belongs to the latest product series, with more technological
supports and has a quite standard specification, which serves needs for
processing and basic entertainment of users. In particular, the device uses an
AMD APU dual-core E2-1800, at 1.7 GHz, RAM 2 x 2GB DDR3 (dual-channel), 60GB of
SSD, separate ATI Radeon 7340 512 MB graphics card, two USB 3.0 ports, four USB
2.0 ports, N-standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0.
The front of the system offering circular
LED, operation will glow. AMD green, blue Intel.
Design
Compared with the ID82, the AD06 model has
a similar design, all of its components are enclosed in a square box of
188x188x44 mm and weigh 712 grams. In addition, there are plenty of accessories
integrated into the product to help create more ways of displaying and installing
the product. For example, if there are no accessories, users can mount it on
the table, and in case there is a dock case, the device can stand on it
vertically. If users wish to mount it on the wall or mount it on the back of a
computer screen or TV, simply mount the accompanying plastic frame. On this
framework there are screw holes matching those behind the screen or TV.
Besides, the machine also comes with a remote
control compatible with Windows 7 operating system, which can be used for
applications in the Media Center or media players like iTunes or Windows Media
Player, etc. However, the control has a somewhat complicated design because
users who wish to use it need to mount an infrared signal receiver via USB port.
The design of the machine is quite harmonious
as all the ports are arranged and divided equally into the four edges of the
square block. Specifically, in the back, will be the center of the main ports,
such as USB 3.0, 2.0, DVI screen output, HDMI, LAN ... whereas the front edge
is where the headphone output, microphone, memory card slot, USB 2.0 port and
the power button stay.
The
front edge is where the headphone output, microphone, memory card slot, USB 2.0
port and the power button stay.
Thanks to this standard design, the mini
Zbox AD06 looks very aesthetic, and there are lots of ways to arrange and
install, so it will be quite fashionable to display. On working, on the main face
of the product there will be a system of circular LED displayed quite
beautifully. If the device uses Intel processors, it will be blue, and idf it
uses AMD processors, it will be green.
Installation
The Mini Zbox AD06 is openly configured, so
users need to perform some steps to install the operating system via USB connection
with optical disk or portable hard disc with built-in operating system.
Compared with desktops that we tested, the
AD06 uses a 60 GB SSD which has very fast read/write data (read speed at 482
MB/s and write at 567 MB/s), about 5 times faster than other normal HDDs so the
time for installing the operating system took only about 15 to 20 minutes.
However, most drivers when installed with Windows 7 64 bit are not fully compatible,
so users need to copy the drivers from the enclosed DVD or download fully
supported drivers from the manufacturer's website.
After installing drivers, the bootup time
from pressing the power button until the desktop appeared only took about 7
seconds (thanks to the fast SSD). However, in reality, with applications for
web browsing, accessing social networks or watching or playing online media, sometimes
the device lagged or stayed “still” in a few seconds and then continued to run
again. The reason is that AMD processors does not work as efficiently as Intel
ones, and somtines it misses "one beat". Particularly for the
experience of watching Full HD movies, the device ran more smoothly, rewinding
or fast-forwarding a video without any lagging (due to separate graphics is
optimized for watching high-definition videos).
The
cooling system is quite stable, with reasonable design with air suction push
function.
Regarding the cooling system, the machine
works quite well by the reasonable air suction pushing design. Specifically, on
the back there is a blank grille, sucking air in and then the fan and the
aluminum radiator will push the hot air out. Thus, the device will maintain the
stable no-load temperature in the range of 45 to 50 degrees Celcius. When
operating with 100% of its capacity for a few hours, the maximum temperature is
72 degrees C. If compared to other compact desktops, the machine's cooling
system is quite acceptable and satisfactory for a compact product, running quietly
and not too hot.
