Xi3 Corporation Unveils its Z3RO Pro Computer at CES 2013

[Cristian_25H]

Xi3 Corporation unveiled its Z3RO Pro Computer, a small form factor computer the size of a small paperback at the 2013 International CES trade show, January 8—11, 2013.

With a starting price point of $399, the Z3RO Pro Computer is designed to showcase the future of small form factor desktop computing. Housed in Xi3's smallest chassis (1.875 x 4.875 x 3.625-inches), the Z3RO Pro Computer is designed for general computer use, including home and office environments, and is powerful enough for specialty applications such as digital signage environments and home theater use.





"The Z3RO Pro Computer is the ideal size for the ultimate in small form factor x86-based general computing," said Jason A. Sullivan , founder, President and CEO. "In this post-PC era, it's clear that there's no reason to buy a tower or mini-tower computer ever again. Not only does the Z3RO Pro Computer help round out the Xi3 product line, it also marks the end of desktop computing as we've known it."

The Z3RO Pro Computer is available with

● A dual-core 64-bit, x86-based processor running at 1.65 GHz (with 2 MB of Level 2 Cache),
● An integrated graphics processor (GPU) containing 80 graphics cores (or shaders),
● 4 GB of DDR3 RAM,
● 16 GB - 1 TB of internal solid-state SSD storage (with up to 12 Gbps throughput speeds),
● Two display ports providing maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600 (including 1 HDMI/DisplayPort v1.2 and 1 Mini-DisplayPort v1.2),
● Four eSATAp 3.0 ports, and
● 1Gb Ethernet port.

Z3RO Pro Computers operate at 15 Watts of power, ship standard with openSUSE Linux v11.2, but will also run an array of other x86-based Operating Systems, including Windows 8 and lower, UNIX, other Linux variants, etc. General Availability of the Z3RO Pro Computer is slated to begin in the Second Quarter of 2013. Xi3 is accepting accept pre-orders on its Z3RO Pro Computer immediately.

[Easy Rhino]

the SSD size confuses me. is the $399 price tag for the 16GB internal SSD?? love the case tho!!!!!

[mediasorcerer]

End of desktop computing as we know it??? All these new desktop products at ces must be a huge waste of time then, where do they come up with this stuff, try playing a game on that then lol.


Nice case though.

[Delta6326]

Originally Posted by mediasorcerer

End of desktop computing as we know it??? All these new desktop products at ces must be a huge waste of time then, where do they come up with this stuff, try playing a game on that then lol.


Nice case though.

It says right there for general computer use...

I'm going to guess that price is for 16GB.

[fusionblu]

Originally Posted by mediasorcerer

End of desktop computing as we know it??? All these new desktop products at ces must be a huge waste of time then, where do they come up with this stuff, try playing a game on that then lol.


Nice case though.

This will be painful news for you, but this same company is also developing the SteamBox which is a PC around the same size (a little larger obviously, I think it was shaped more like a cube) running Linux which will play games. This is of course a part of Valve's development plan of bring their games to the Linux platform and their response to consumers' desire for a SteamBox. This is all based on some recent news I heard from Kotaku which cover the SteamBox prototypes at CES (not sure if it is just details they are sharing or if they actually have the prototypes there on display).

I think this was the article I found on Kotaku. Here is another article which should add a bit more info on the topic.

The end message is that it looks like both Desktop PCs for general office use and Desktop PCs for gaming are potentially at risk at meeting its end, but this should be avoidable though so I would say the end is probably sometime away (a few years I would say at the least) rather than a few months or this year to be exact.

[james888]

Originally Posted by fusionblu

This will be painful news for you, but this same company is also developing the SteamBox which is a PC around the same size (a little larger obviously, I think it was shaped more like a cube) running Linux which will play games. This is of course a part of Valve's development plan of bring their games to the Linux platform and their response to consumers' desire for a SteamBox. This is all based on some recent news I heard from Kotaku which cover the SteamBox prototypes at CES (not sure if it is just details they are sharing or if they actually have the prototypes there on display).

I think this was the article I found on Kotaku. Here is another article which should add a bit more info on the topic.

The end message is that it looks like both Desktop PCs for general office use and Desktop PCs for gaming are potentially at risk at meeting its end, but this should be avoidable though so I would say the end is probably sometime away (a few years I would say at the least) rather than a few months or this year to be exact.

Here is an article saying that the articles you mentioned were not entirely true.

[PopcornMachine]

"The Z3RO Pro Computer is the ideal size for the ultimate in small form factor x86-based general computing," said Jason A. Sullivan , founder, President and CEO. "In this post-PC era, it's clear that there's no reason to buy a tower or mini-tower computer ever again.

Wow. This guy really knows how to appeal to computer enthusiasts.

Where do I sign up?

[sc]

Since when did size became such an issue for desktop computer cases? You still need a ton for space for the input peripherals and the monitor, what does this form factor suppose to improve (except limiting performance once again)?

If you need to carry a computer around with you, you're better off with a laptop and if you are short of space, you should rethink your work environment.
As for having such a think in the living room... consoles are 4-5 times bigger (and they were even bigger) and nobody complained about that.

IMO it's one of those pos targeted to the mindless sheep consumers which need to be told what they need, Steve Jobs style.

Everyone in the IT business needs a good beating to wake up and focus on what's really important (performance, lower power consumption, improved coding, better interfaces, and so on) and stop with all this BS. Each year it's a step back and human race becomes dumber and dumber.

[mediasorcerer]

Oh yeah-get with the program fellow comp enthusiasts, you can save at least a 2 cubic feet of volume/space and more with this little machine, should make a huge difference in any sort of room/office/bedroom etc, afterall, desktop pc,s are dead.[but dont try any sort of real computing on it]

Do these pr morons want the industry to disappear, so all the people can go dumbing down on tablets and mini pc,s?


I get really sick of hearing-pc,s are dead, they are BOOMING ATM!!!

[fusionblu]

Originally Posted by james888

Here is an article saying that the articles you mentioned were not entirely true.

I didn't know of that and thanks for the link. I guess information is getting a little difficult to trust at the moment, but time will bring some more accurate information soon enough.

[james888]

Originally Posted by sc

Since when did size became such an issue for desktop computer cases? You still need a ton for space for the input peripherals and the monitor, what does this form factor suppose to improve (except limiting performance once again)?

If you need to carry a computer around with you, you're better off with a laptop and if you are short of space, you should rethink your work environment.
As for having such a think in the living room... consoles are 4-5 times bigger (and they were even bigger) and nobody complained about that.

IMO it's one of those pos targeted to the mindless sheep consumers which need to be told what they need, Steve Jobs style.

Everyone in the IT business needs a good beating to wake up and focus on what's really important (performance, lower power consumption, improved coding, better interfaces, and so on) and stop with all this BS. Each year it's a step back and human race becomes dumber and dumber.

I have some people who ask for products like this, except they want x86, or more like intels NUC. I don't know what laptops or large desktops did to them when they were young but they absolutely want smaller computers. These are people who would be fine with that level of performance also.

[xorbe]

http://xi3.com/news.php?id=781

[jmcslob]

i read the name for that chunk of poop as Z-3-ro (zee-three-row) But Zero probably makes more sense given it's likely as powerful as a Sempron on a AMD 760 mobo with HD3000 graphics...yay nothing like paying $400 for top-o-da-line 2005 tech.

Reading those links about the Steam Box makes me think it's gonna be a Flop-Box...
If they have to use Linux and don't convert some libraries over to it it's gonna Flop with no sizzle...So what I'm saying is without Windows DX libraries it's nothing more than a piece of shit.

[jagd]

Linux is there because microsoft trying monopolise digital sale business with win8 and noone will wait until microsoft get their market share http://allthingsd.com/20120725/valve...ws-8-and-more/ .Microsoft backstabbed its partners over ''surface '' tablet and now trying to monopolise another market without any clue.
Gamers made their choose with their wallets it is steam /vavle for pc gaming ,look now where microsoft puslishing own games now ,it is not GFWL .

This is a gamble for microsoft also , Direct X is last thing keeping windows on alot of people's pc .If steam/valve transform gaming to linux/openGL microsoft will take a big hit .And you forget alot of linux/mac game on steam also , still a lot of game needed to re-coded for linux/steam for full transform .


Yes this is a PR something get exagerated ( SP ? ) but there is some truth in it , rumors had intel planning move to BGA packaging =soldered cpus http://www.techpowerup.com/176133/Is...rocessor-.html

Another thing is AMD APUs coming this year improving cpu/gpu capabilities and will have more power than a reguler user need for home/office/entertainment (also probably mid level gaming ,but need to see benchs before ).There is always be a desktop market but how big i think it is main question. And one thing remember AMD apus will be on consoles PS4 /xbox 720
I would like one of this devices for 2nd pc also another line needed with DVB-S2/DVB-C etc capabilities

Originally Posted by jmcslob

If they have to use Linux and don't convert some libraries over to it it's gonna Flop with no sizzle...So what I'm saying is without Windows DX libraries it's nothing more than a piece of shit.

[jmcslob]

I'm very happy with the efforts that Valve is making on taking gaming (real gaming) away from Microsoft, but if they are going to do it and succeed they either need to wait for (and push) Devs to do more OpenGl or come up with a deal with MS for some kind of deal on DX libraries and since they are PC's main sales source they are likely the only company that can do it.

But the average consumer isn't going to make a switch with what they have to offer right now...

[jagd]

Deal for Direct X ? Microsoft ; a company trying to monopolise everything will not make a deal ( even i would not if i was microsoft CEO )

People played on commodere 64s/amigas/DOS etc at past they can use new systems if they need but this raises another question ; Does this average user is a steam user ? Or will stay at windows even if steam moves to linux /open GL ? Hard to talk for now , we can only watch things and saw results later.

Edit : there is one thing generally missing always with steambox talks ; it is a usual pc if you want you can install windows and play windows games at another partition e.g. when steam switch to linux and you dont have linux version of your games ,nothing is stopping this . But steam version linux will standardize things for gaming (much needed for all distributions ) and can be easily distrubited for desktops we own

PS :I think PC gaming is/was something microsoft is/was trying to kill in favor of XBOX

Originally Posted by jmcslob

come up with a deal with MS for some kind of deal on DX libraries and since they are PC's main sales source they are likely the only company that can do it.

[chinmi]

probably gonna get one and put it in my car... hmmm... in car entertainment gonna be awesome with this thing...

[evulmunk33]

why dont they mention the CPU and gpu type?
so its probably intel atom or via, which is going to be horribly slow? :S

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by evulmunk33

why dont they mention the CPU and gpu type?
so its probably intel atom or via, which is going to be horribly slow? :S

Neither, it's AMD Bobcat. 80 GPU cores was a giveaway.

[evulmunk33]

Originally Posted by btarunr

Neither, it's AMD Bobcat. 80 GPU cores was a giveaway.

well, thats a decent chip... why didnt they just say its an APU? weird...

the only times companies dont mention the parts used is usually cause its either unknown vendors or not exactly the best components...

well, so essentially this thing is a nettop then, in an aluminum chassis...
mhhh idk, personally id prefer something like the zbox or that acer or foxconn mini nettop... the latter is available with ivybridge inside!
but hey, more options is always great!