Zotac Brings Orb-Shaped ZBOX Compact PC to CES 2014

[Cristian_25H]

At first glance maybe some would think that a Google Nexus Q found its way onto a table in Zotac's CES booth. But no, that black orb seen in the shots below is a new ZBOX mini PC.

Dubbed ZBOX 01520, the spherical-ish compact system is powered by a 1.7 GHz Core i3-4010U dual-core processor, and can be equipped with up to 16 GB of memory (SO-DIMM) and one 2.5-inch storage solution (the Plus version comes with 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB HDD), as well as with one mSATA solid state drive. Zotac's orb also features 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit LAN, a 4-in-1 card reader, four USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, and an HDMI output. No word on pricing yet.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[lemonadesoda]

A desktop, just waiting to roll off and smash into a thousand pieces. It would look better yellow and with a smiley face on it. For this case, black just doesnt work. It doesnt look "cool".

 

[Jack1n]

An impractical shape for a PC.

 

[hckngrtfakt]

Zotac should've made this thing chrome so i can match it with LaCie's HDD
allowing me to brag to my co-workers about how shiny my balls are

 

[Marty 1480]

Zotac should've made this thing chrome so i can match it with LaCie's HDD
allowing me to brag to my co-workers about how shiny my balls are

Cool

 

[erixx]

at least the mac pro "dust bin" exercises in cooling, but this? it is a melting pot!

 

[arterius2]

As a designer myself, I am baffled at how these ideas even make it off the drawing board. I find these spherical designs make absolutely no sense at all as the hardware inside does not conform to its outer form, I mean, look at all that wasted space. It looked as if they just slapped it together and jammed the whole thing inside, and be like - 'lol whatever.' this is a case of creating 'form for the sake of form' it has no meaning, no function at all. If I were to show something like this to my client I'd be seriously out of a job. May pass as a high school project, but as a product designed by mature and conscious adults? I don't think so.

 

[Razorfang]

As a designer myself, I am baffled at how these ideas even make it off the drawing board. I find these spherical designs make absolutely no sense at all as the hardware inside does not conform to its outer form, I mean, look at all that wasted space. It looked as if they just slapped it together and jammed the whole thing inside, and be like - 'lol whatever.' this is a case of creating 'form for the sake of form' it has no meaning, no function at all. If I were to show something like this to my client I'd be seriously out of a job. May pass as a high school project, but as a product designed by mature and conscious adults? I don't think so.

What's the big deal? It's a sphere; not for some people. No need to over-analyze it. "Waste space", good joke. As if the majority of cases in the market make use of all their space.

 

[arterius2]

What's the big deal? It's a sphere; not for some people. No need to over-analyze it. "Waste space", good joke. As if the majority of cases in the market make use of all their space.

Nope, it's called principles of design, something you won't understand if you are asking this, so don't even bother. It is wasted space because its marketed as 'compact' and its not utilizing the space, then to me that's not good enough, that's the difference with your 'majority' of the tower cases out there, they aren't trying to compete for compactness, and when they do, they do a much better job than this.

you won't design a round cabinet to fit in an angled corner. nor do you jam a square sofa against a curved wall, this is the basics of design, you don't see people buying circular hard drive enclosures for their rectangular hard drive, because its stupid, it does not comply with logic. its just my opinion is all, if you like it, then go buy it. don't need to get all personal about it. like many people who probably disagree with the design language here, I just happen to be a designer myself so I'm probably more picky than others, and have a little more to say about this, what's your problem?

 

[Amgal]

Nope, it's called principles of design, something you won't understand if you are asking this, so don't even bother. It is wasted space because its marketed as 'compact' and its not utilizing the space, then to me that's not good enough, that's the difference with your 'majority' of the tower cases out there, they aren't trying to compete for compactness, and when they do, they do a much better job than this.

you won't design a round cabinet to fit in an angled corner. nor do you jam a square sofa against a curved wall, this is the basics of design, you don't see people buying circular hard drive enclosures for their rectangular hard drive, because its stupid, it does not comply with logic. its just my opinion is all, if you like it, then go buy it. don't need to get all personal about it. like many people who probably disagree with the design language here, I just happen to be a designer myself so I'm probably more picky than others, and have a little more to say about this, what's your problem?

Some enjoy form over function, or simply, form with function. I can understand that, especially when the function has already been served, and there is leeway to complete the project - there's a market for that just about anywhere. The fact that this exists, successfully (that is, it functions without destroying itself) proves that compliance with "logic", as you stated, is not necessary. A good (read: functional) mix seems to be all the rage these days.

 

[Sinzia]

I really like it, would look quite good on a desk next to the monitor.

 

[erixx]

Just dont even slightly kick it because it rolls and rolls.. hahaha

 

[1c3d0g]

I don't see what the big deal is. Sure, it's probably not the most functional PC ever made, but that's not the point. Different strokes for different folks. It's not my kind of PC, but that doesn't mean I will condemn it JUST because I don't happen to like it...

 

[Marty 1480]

I don't see what the big deal is. Sure, it's probably not the most functional PC ever made, but that's not the point. Different strokes for different folks. It's not my kind of PC, but that doesn't mean I will condemn it JUST because I don't happen to like it...

Exactly, reminds me of Lian Li and their train case. Not really practical but some people love it.
Live and let live.

 

[de.das.dude]

so its pretty much OTT for what it can be used for i.e. browsing and office work. and will suck at everything else.

 

[Razorfang]

Nope, it's called principles of design, something you won't understand if you are asking this, so don't even bother. It is wasted space because its marketed as 'compact' and its not utilizing the space, then to me that's not good enough, that's the difference with your 'majority' of the tower cases out there, they aren't trying to compete for compactness, and when they do, they do a much better job than this.

you won't design a round cabinet to fit in an angled corner. nor do you jam a square sofa against a curved wall, this is the basics of design, you don't see people buying circular hard drive enclosures for their rectangular hard drive, because its stupid, it does not comply with logic. its just my opinion is all, if you like it, then go buy it. don't need to get all personal about it. like many people who probably disagree with the design language here, I just happen to be a designer myself so I'm probably more picky than others, and have a little more to say about this, what's your problem?

Take a look at the image again, keep in mind they want to make it look spherical. I'd say they use a great deal of space while achieving the look they were going for.

 

[xvi]

Practical? Definitely not. Unique though? Rather.

I'm pretty sure this is just for those who want something different, to which it excels. For everything else, I agree. Useless.

 

[JunkBear]

With some modding and some LED you get a Deadmau5 head design computer.

 

[SaiZo]

Paint it gray and put some black lines and a round filled black circle and voilá - the Deathstar!

 

[Vario]

Looks sweet. I think that if everything was utilitarian and functional, we'd live in a very boring world.