Perhaps some of those in your group would be interested in my latest
computer "toy" ... It is a Zotac mini-PC.

It would probably be great for Rhino and other 3-D graphics.

It handles/play video files fantastically.

I have several computers sitting around in my office, only 3 of which
are mostly working as designed.  The fast AMD-64-based box I am using to
write this email is OK, but it sucks enough power to heat my office, and
sounds like a vacuum-cleaner besides.  In spite of all the fossil-fuel
it is consuming, its video capabilities suck.  So I decided to build a
quiet box with video capabilities.

After some research I chose Zotac's Zox ID80.  It is about 7" square,
only about 1.5" thick, and seems to do most of what I need.
It has a Intel 2.13 G dual-core processor
NVidia graphics processor
6 USB ports
DVI port
HDMI port
Wired and Wireless networking
Audio
IR connectivity for remote
SD card readed

It does have an internal fan, about the size of a quarter, but it does
not make much noise ... about as much noise as my Lenovo notebook.

You need to add your own RAM and HD to the ID80 chassis.


I installed Mint 13 Maya from a USB stick, and it runs fine.  Only
problem I've had so far with Linux is that the Intel wireless controller
lacks a Linux driver, and I have not found one so far.  I've been told
that wireless communications suck a lot of CPU power, and I have no need
of a wireless connection anyway.


Oh yes ... it supposedly good for that OTHER operating system marketed
by some guy named Gates

Another problem just popped up ... it is that I wanted to experiment
with a different OS. The ZBox does not want to give up on Mint. It now
won't let me boot a different OS from the same USB port I initially
used.  Zotac tech support is puzzled.

Bottom line is that I really like it so far.  It video output is great.
I downloaded/installed MythBuntu video DVR software package and I can
now "TIVO" the occasional TV show that might air when I am busy with my
zillion other projects.  I've recorded a couple of episodes of Gunsmoke
of the antenna input and it works fine.

Zbox $180 + RAM & HD extra

If you want it to watch/record TV without springing for the monthly
fees ...
HomeRun dual TV-tuner $80

RBerglund


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