Zotac has now brought out two HTPC budget models. The ZBox nano VD01 and the Plus version that adds a 320GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM. Both can now be powered by VIA’s 1.2GHz Nano X2 U4025 dual-core processor. The onboard graphics are VIA’s own Chrome9 and can play back HD video formats including Blu-ray, MPEG2, H.264, and VC-1.
The VD01s can accommodate a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive and DDR3 memory. External connections include USB 3.0 and 2.0, eSATA, Ethernet, DisplayPort, and HDMI. A six-in-one memory card reader provides storage. Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi provide short-range wireless. An IR receiver and included remote control let users control the HTPC from their couch, and a VESA mount allows mounting the HTPC on the back of a display and make it virtually invisible.
Pricing and release dates for the VD01 series HTPCs haven’t yet been revealed.
