As every year at this period we have the first data of the new ZOTAC mini PC models, those products usually indicate us the trend that we are going to see. This year we have the Gemini Lake processors with the new Intel Pentium Silver and Celeron nomenclatures that finally include HDMI 2.0 as a novelty apparently, we also have mini PCs that seem to have new designs and some with option to mount AMD processor Ryzen maybe with the new Ryzen Desktop APUs presented in this CES 2018 would fit well.
In the compact models we have the passive Zotac ZBOX Pico PI226 micro PC that mounts an Intel Celeron N4000 Dual core processor that has internal 4GB of non-expandable RAM, 32GB of eMMc storage memory, WiFi aC with external antenna and Bluetooth 4.2. At the level of connectivity we find a microSD card reader, a pair of USB 3.0 Type-C ports (one with HDMI 1.4 video output) and another for power, to have more ports we will need a Hub.
In a somewhat larger size we have the passive Zotac ZBOX Pico PI336 mini PC that mounts an Intel Celeron N4100 Quad core processor that integrates 4GB of non-expandable RAM and 32GB of eMMc storage memory. In it we also find WiFi aC with external antenna, Bluetooth 4.2, Gigabit Ethernet, microSD card reader, a USB 3.0 Type-C port, two USB 3.0 Type-A, audio jack, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2. A more interesting model for the desktop user and as a multimedia player.
In models with NUC type size we have the new ZBOX MI640 Nano and MI660 Nano that bring us a more conventional format with active ventilation, mounted Intel Core i5-8250U and Core i7-8550U Quad core with eight wires respectively. In the section of ports and expansion we find two slots SODIMM DDR4 up to 2400MHz, housing for 2.5 “disk, two connectors USB 3.1 Type-C, 5x USB 3.0, wifi ac, Bluetooth 4.2, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 and is compatible with VESA anchor.
Zotac has also shown the passive mini PC ZBOX CI329 Nano a model that is the evolution of last year with the Intel Celeron 4100 Gemini Lake. Inside we found two SODIMM DDR4 slots up to 2400MHz, 2.5 “disk housing, USB 3.0 Type-C port, 3x USB 3.0, wifi ac, Bluetooth 4.2, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA and SD card reader.
Other models that attract attention are the ZBOX MA551 that apparently can supports APU AMD Ryzen Desktop recently announced with a maximum consumption of 65 W TPD, for now there is little information about it.
There is also another fanless model called and ZOTAC CI660 and is designed for the new processors with CPU Intel Core i7-8550U or maybe a future Intel Kay Lake-G + GPU AMD Vega, which are direct competition.
