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ZOTAC intros ZBOX RI323 and ZBOX RI531 series mini PCs

by Mark Tyson on 21 May 2015, 12:02

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), ZOTAC

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ZOTAC continues to expand its range of SFF PCs. It has just announced the ZBOX R-series of mini PCs which are Intel-based and employ a chassis that looks like the familiar ZBOX B-Series, E-Series and M-Series machines. ZOTAC calls the new R-Series a "breakthough," with enhancements focussed upon storage functionality while "providing the same power efficiency and space saving features that users expect from ZBOX".

The ZBOX RI323 and ZBOX RI531 series machines can employ two HDD/SSD storage devices into a RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuration. With the two internal drive slots users will be able to choose to create a logical drive that either improves the read/write speed, or one that provides redundancy to protect sensitive data.

Alternatively users could simply use the two drive capacity of the ZBOX R series to add a couple of drives of any size to use in non-RAID configurations or in the JBOD configuration (differently-sized drives organized into one logical unit). In addition to its 2x SATA 6Gbps interfaces, the ZBOX RI531 series models include an mSATA SSD slot.

ZOTAC pegs the new R-Series as being suitable for home and office use, yet also designed with commercial and industrial purposes in mind. In the latter markets the mini PCs may be used in digital signage, entertainment, and kiosk controllers and the COM port will make the PCs useful in various embedded scenarios.

Product

ZBOX RI531 series

ZBOX RI323

Memory

2 x DDR3-1600 slots (up to 16GB)

2 x DDR3-1600 slots (up to 16GB)

Storage

1 x mSATA SSD slot

2 x 2.5" SATA HDD/SSD slots

2 x 2.5" SATA HDD/SSD slots

Processor

Intel Core i3-5010U dual core 2.1GHz, Intel HD Graphics 5500

Intel Processor 2961Y dual core 1.1GHz, Intel HD Graphics

Display Options

HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2

HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2

Card Reader

3-in-1 (SD/SDHC/SDXC)

3-in-1 (SD/SDHC/SDXC)

Ethernet

Dual 10/100/1000Mbps

Dual 10/100/1000Mbps

Wi-Fi

802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0

802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0

USB Ports

4 x USB 3.0

4 x USB 3.0

Audio

HDMI Audio ,Headphone, Microphone

HDMI Audio, Headphone, Microphone

DirectX Support

11.2

11.2

Other Features

Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel Clear Video HD, RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD configuration, COM port

Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel Clear Video, RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD configuration, COM port

Windows

Windows 7 / 8 ready

Windows 7 / 8 ready

PLUS version

(pre-installed)
4GB DDR3
64GB mSATA SSD


N/A

 

As you can see in the above table, the Broadwell Core i3 powered ZBOX RI531 is available as a 'PLUS' kit including RAM and SSD fitted, it's possible that this could qualify for a free Windows 8.1 install from Microsoft. The Haswell Celeron based ZBOX RI323 is being sold as a barebones only kit. At the time of writing pricing and availability for the new R-Series has yet to be announced.



HEXUS Forums :: 8 Comments

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I see they have fans. No use as an HTPC then. Given how much storage 2.5 HDD can have not sure haveing 2 is a real deal clincher. I would be more impressed with M2 capability
M-SATA, Dual SSDs, 16Gb RAM, Dual NIC… Seems like a nice low powered ESX host to me…
@Blackdwarf.
If you could get the Wireless working in ESXi, maybe as the management interface. Thats triple NICs :)
My initial thought was Dual NICS + Wireless = Amazing Pfsense box.
I'm impressed, many things I could use one for. Even as an HTPC, the fan might not need to spin very fast since its only got a 15W CPU to deal with.

The D-Sub at the front looks out of place, unless you're after that retro games console look :D