Zotac Zbox ID82

(2012-04-27 23:17)bluray Wrote:  

(2012-04-27 18:40)jhsrennie Wrote:  

(2012-04-27 16:04)bluray Wrote:  +1.....it's ready for primetime then....

Not with an Intel® HD Graphics 3000 GPU.

Why not? I can playback my blu-ray files in full 1080P with HD2000.......

Only if you're planning on running Winblows. I bet the above gripe has to do with Intel's driver support for Linux. If you're planning on using XBMCbuntu at all, get the NVidia hardware.

In my experience, the ID82 fails at playing 1080p in Windows. There are too many dropped frames.

Reading the latest amazon reviews; the standard 5400rpm hard drive and wireless n card are the only drawbacks. Win 7 & 8 performance index is beefy enough for 1080. The fix is to go with SSD and wired internet, which works excellent even with the older 525 models; and saves $180. I'd still go with i3 (model id82); or maybe the Intel NUC (same cost).

Amazon article: How to build a ROCK SOLID HTPC (Cheaper Zotacs)
http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Solid-HTPC/lm..._1_rsrssi0

(2012-05-09 09:51)shiggity Wrote:  In my experience, the ID82 fails at playing 1080p in Windows. There are too many dropped frames.

Bought the ID82 this week with an Vertex 3 SSD and Corsair 8 GB DDR3 So-dimm memory. No dropped frames at all at 1080p here. My movies are loaded through my network. The Latest Intel HD3000 video drivers are pretty good. Runs verry stable at this moment on XBMC 12.0 RC1

(2012-12-16 23:51)Oxize Wrote:  Bought the ID82 this week with an Vertex 3 SSD and Corsair 8 GB DDR3 So-dimm memory. No dropped frames at all at 1080p here. My movies are loaded through my network. The Latest Intel HD3000 video drivers are pretty good. Runs verry stable at this moment on XBMC 12.0 RC1

@Oxize, If you don't mind saying, what did you end up paying for it? I'm seeing a low $330 everywhere; and I've made several offers ($280shipped); but the holidays seem to have them holding the $330. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,.
plac

The more I look at this technology, the more I'm thinking to buy a small thin i3 (beefy) tablet/notebook and use it as a TV remote control via Intels' WiDi, wireless display. Thus, HTPC no longer makes sense.

Edit: December 18, 2012
PS: I just realized that the ID82 is not current model i3. It's 2nd generation i3, and you want 3rd Generation (current) due to Intel's new HD Video 4000 and USB3 support.

BUY THE INTEL NUC INSTEAD (SAME PRICE)

(2012-12-17 04:41)plac Wrote:  

(2012-12-16 23:51)Oxize Wrote:  Bought the ID82 this week with an Vertex 3 SSD and Corsair 8 GB DDR3 So-dimm memory. No dropped frames at all at 1080p here. My movies are loaded through my network. The Latest Intel HD3000 video drivers are pretty good. Runs verry stable at this moment on XBMC 12.0 RC1

@Oxize, If you don't mind saying, what did you end up paying for it? I'm seeing a low $330 everywhere; and I've made several offers ($280shipped); but the holidays seem to have them holding the $330. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,.
plac

I lookup on google which shops were the cheapest and on stock. I payed 346 euro for the Zbox, 92 euro for the Vertex 3 and 29 euro for the 8GB Corsair memory. Total was 491 euro which is like 650 dollar. Electronic devices are here in holland alot expensiver then in USA because we have 21% tax and other lame import taxes (even when you bought it in holland)

Zotac didnt release any new gen Intels on the market. Only a few new AMD's, otherwise i would go for that one. At this moment everything runs smoothly (blueray(3d),mkv,dvd,avi,etc)

For anyone looking for intel third generation ultra slim mini-itx systems, have a peek at these, the GIADA systems:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=giada+pc
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?u...s=giada+pc