Dell Inspiron Zino HD (like Mac Mini)

[Lennart Sorensen]

On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 04:44:46PM -0500, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
> This is a new Dell thing that reminds one of a Mac Mini.
> Seems quite interesting to me, but with problems.  Of course I judge it as 
> if it were a Mac Mini, but that may not be fair
> 
> Nice picture:
> http://blogs.amd.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ZinoHD-Specs.jpg
> (What does "scalable only" mean with respect to eSATA?)
> 
> + AMD low-power CPUs so better than Atom-based things (but worse than
>   Mac Mini which uses C2D).  Do these do VT?

The Athlon 64 2650e has AMD-V.  I can't find the X2 3250e in the list,
but it is supposed to use the same core, so it too should have AMD-V.

> - base unit is US$229 or C$349.  And the Canadian version has 1G of RAM 
>   versus 2G in the US version
> 
> - upgrade Athlon 2650e to Athlon X2 3250e US$60 C$150
> 
> - no remote control
> 
> - only 2.1 sound!  (I think that the HDMI carries surround sound, but it 
>   is not mentioned in the specs.  Uses an AMD740G which (if I remember 
>   correctly) does some high def sound but not all you'd like.)
> 
> + there is an option for a better video chip but I don't know how that
>   is installed.  It does not seem to be a PCIe slot, but I could be
>   wrong.  ATI Radeon HD 4330 with 512M: US$75 C$99

I am so not ready to give ATI chipsets another chance yet.  Not for me.

> + optional colour.  Costs US$10 / C$30.
> 
> + comes with DVD-writer.  Upgrade to BluRay reader / DVD writer: US$100 / 
>   C$129
> 
> - in general, nice options quickly increase the price.
> 
> ? I wonder how quiet this is
> 
> I'm tempted by the US prices and turned off by the Canadian premium.

Well that seems to happen whenever the canadian doller is boosted a bit.

-- 
Len Sorensen
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