t-break takes a look at the Zotac Zbox Blu-Ray HD-ID34 HTPC

Most of the new devices vying for space next to your TV are based on a somewhat closed architecture such as Apple TV, Roku and even the Boxee box. I still prefer having a full blown computer in my living room as it allows me the flexibility of putting any Media Center application on it. And until now, the Mac Mini has been my choice of a mini HTPC because of its good looks, small form factor and reasonable power to handle anything I throw at it. However, there is a new challenger in town- the Zotac Zbox Blu-Ray.

Now Zotac isn’t new to HTPCs. I’ve reviewed their pevious line of HTPC’s but the lack of a built-in optical drive always made me shy away from using it in my living room. However, with the ZBox Blu-Ray, Zotac goes one up on the Mac Mini with a Blu-Ray drive instead of the DVD player found on the Mac Mini. Also present is USB 3.0 which is theoretically ten times faster than USB 2.0 found on the Mac Mini. We received the HD-ID34 model from Zotac that comes with 2GB RAM and a 250GB Hard Drive pre-installed but without an Operating System. Included in the package was a power adapter, a DVI to DSUB converter as well as a Quickstart guide, drivers CD and PowerDVD with Blu-Ray playback.

  Zotac Zbox Blu-Ray HD-ID34 HTPC Review