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Dell Zino vs. New Mini 2010

G

goombamd

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 18, 2010
43
0
Any rumors on a Dell Zino HD refresh?

I feel like Mac Minis are behind the times in some ways, but ahead of the Zino HD in others.

I wish the Zino HD's had faster RAM and processors, and then I'd definitely get one for the blu-ray option.

I'd totally buy a mini with Blu-Ray but I'd be surprised to see Apple ever support Blu-Ray.

I know the future is streaming video, but in the meantime, I'd like to have a blu-ray drive on my HTPC.

My ideal setup:
-Mac mini-level 2010 hardware with HDMI + blu-ray
 
goombamd said:
Any rumors on a Dell Zino HD refresh?

I feel like Mac Minis are behind the times in some ways, but ahead of the Zino HD in others.

I wish the Zino HD's had faster RAM and processors, and then I'd definitely get one for the blu-ray option.

I'd totally buy a mini with Blu-Ray but I'd be surprised to see Apple ever support Blu-Ray.

I know the future is streaming video, but in the meantime, I'd like to have a blu-ray drive on my HTPC.

My ideal setup:
-Mac mini-level 2010 hardware with HDMI + blu-ray
Click to expand...



Apple will always be behind, its a price thing.

BRD also won't be happening ...ever.
 
archipellago said:
BRD also won't be happening ...ever.
Click to expand...

Are you Steve? Mini was without an update for almost 2 years, most people were sure Mini is discontinued, but it wasn't. Some day we will get Blu-Ray and you can always grab a Blu-Ray player and use it for Blu-Rays and Mini for everything else
 
I'd love to see a group test of all the smaller-form HTPCs.

I happened to see this on Engadget today - probably the best (well, best after the Mini!) small form HTPC I've seen.

10x0621oub2354noisa.jpg


from

http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/acatalog/ixL_i3.html
 
Actually, on second thoughts I hate the one above. It looks plasticcy and icky.

Specs aren't bad tho.
 
the dell zino just does what its supposed to do and what it was made for playing hd videos , for that purpose you just do not need more processing power , i still have mine but its sitting there like a duck as i just love my little Mac mini G4 despite the fact that the zino would still run circles around the little g4 mini , for me pure speed is just not everything , if i would need a high performance computer i would not even considering a intel mini in the first place or any other htpc for that matter
 
goombamd said:
Was about to pull the trigger on new mac mini base model, but the underwhelming processor, slow hard drive, lack of 4gb ram, and the lack of blu-ray have been making this decision much slower than it needs to be.

It looks like Dell is about to refresh the Zino HD.. this time with actual decent components that will be superior to mini and likely cheaper.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/31/dell-zino-hd-410-quietly-leaks-out-with-amd-quad-core-potential/
Click to expand...

The high end Zino is comparable with the mini and has a better HDD and more ram (but slower ram). If you are spending $600 for a Zino I would just go mini. I looked at the Zino and was sure it was what I needed but in the end- the small price increase for the mini seemed reasonable. I'm a sucker for design as well. Although a spec increase could completely change that. Depends I guess in the end on how much you value Mac OS X?
 
I also debated for a while with the Zino vs Mini. I have a pretty hefty collection of Blu-rays and love to see things in HD. However I still got the Mini. RAM, HDD, these things can be upgraded anyway, which is what I did, put an SSD in upgraded to 4GB ram. It is very very fast. In fact I use a macbook pro 2.93ghz but this mini is super fast with the SSD.

Design wise the Zino looks well...plain. Its plastic and the design is nothing to shout out about. The mini with the all aluminium enclosure is a sure winner in IMHO.

As for the Blu-ray situation, I have to do with a PS3 for now or encode them to MKV.
 
Hey, your missing the big difference.

The Mini can run OSX and WindowsXX.

The Dell can run Windows only. Plus it's a Dell not an Apple.
 
Cave Man said:
Did you notice the fan port in the illustration? When I see something like that, the first thing I think is "noisy".
Click to expand...

Yeah thats what initially crossed my mind when I saw the exauhst at the back. Noise is a big issue for me and Im sure for many people thinking of using this as an HTPC or small bedroom media pc. The mac mini, with the SSD is virtually noiseless unless there is a CD inside.
 
I when moved from my (very) aged PC I'd been considering a Transtec SENYO before I bought my mini - but it was a lot more expensive and still not a Mac.

Interesting that people think that PC's are cheaper - but not so much once you start comparing like-for-like.
 
I don't think we'll see Blue-way on Macs anytime soon. More likely that everything will be streamed.
 
New Althon II and Phenom II X3/4 versions with the 5450 are coming out later this year. Not that the 5450 is much of an improvement.

The older models are on display at Sam's Club if you want to hear them.
 
AOpen

In the past, I bought an AOpen mini pc, which is no bigger than the pre-2010 Mac mini in size. The AOpen had a hard metal case just wider than the slot-loading optical drive. However the little unit has gone through several fans, getting noisier, and the latest can no longer seem to keep the PC cool enough. It's been shutting off on its own. :mad:
 
depends on what you're using it for.

I have a mac mini and love it, but I still wish i would have got a Dell Zino back in december when it was like $130 after the gift card. Still kicking myself for that.

Of course i still would have kept my Mini. :D
 
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