A Closer Look

The top of the LIVA Z2 features two grooved segments with the LIVA logo in the center. Other than that, the top is fairly simple with no miscellaneous features or aspects to speak of. Flipping the system over, you will find four screws with rubber grommets that hold the chassis together while also acting as anti-slip feet. Said feet elevate the unit just by enough for airflow to reach the vents ECS positioned around the outer edge of the bottom plate. Some information, such as the unit's electrical rating, date of manufacture, and serial number can be found on the bottom as well.


Taking a look at the front, users will be happy to see three USB 3.1 Gen1 Type A ports and a USB 3.1 Gen1 Type C port. The headphone jack and power button are also present here, with the power button having a white LED when the system is in operation. A large vent is present on the left-hand side for improved airflow, which is good as this particular model is passively cooled.


On the back, users will find the power port, two HDMI ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and a gigabit LAN port. It should be noted that the HDMI ports are version 1.4 and 2.0 respectively, meaning the ECS LIVA Z2 can in fact output 4K @ 60 Hz. ECS has included a Kensington security lock on the right side along with another vent for improved airflow.


The power adapter is from Asian Power Devices and is a 65 watt adapter with a rated output of 19 volts and 3.42 amps (model #DA-65C19).


Here, I have included a standard 140 mm case fan to show the side of the LIVA Z2 which measures in at 13.2 cm x 11.8 cm x 5.6 cm. So while the Z2 is a bit bigger than previous models, this larger size allows for a single 2.5" HDD bay, which makes for much cheaper storage expansion than the M.2 slot on the previous generation of LIVA Z units.


Mounting the unit to a monitor is exceptionally easy. The included VESA mount will work for 75 mm x 75 mm or 100 mm x 100 mm mounting options. All you need to do is screw the two mounting screws into the LIVA Z2 chassis. Then, mount the VESA plate to the monitor, line up the screws, and slide the LIVA Z2 into place. Quick and painless, it can be mounted to a TV or monitor in a matter of seconds.