They sell these ZT computers through Costco. A friend of mine just bought one. He told me it's fast and does not come with any preloaded software.

I continue to have troubles with my DT recognizing my external drives and I can't figure out why. An IT friend of mine couldn't either. He told me I should probably just re-format and load Windows 7.

Now I'm thinking if I have to do that, it might be time to by another box.

I do not play games or use my PC for the HT or video editing. Just some photo editing, MS Office and auto cad. The link to the product page does't work, it's a ZT DT Affinity tower for $599.

http://www.costco.com

Dang, they are now saying out of stock, no additional quantities.

There are other models for a little more.

??? I just put one in my shopping cart. you screwing with me JP? Karma, remember karma...

That's weird.

Maybe it was a similar but different model. Anyway, good luck and have fun!

Is this the one?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11595849

I would want to put a better video card in it but that's about it.

YA, that's the one.

Meh. You can get a similar PC from a name-brand manufacturer like Dell, HP, etc for the same price.

I've never heard of "ZT Computers". If that were a stupid-cheap deal ($299?), maybe, but not for $599. Warranties and 24x7 tech support don't mean a thing when the company ceases to exist in a year.

Just my $.02...

I'm inclined to agree with Peter, here.

I'm agreeing too, except to say that both HP and Dell's "cheap" PCs are total junk, and will likely suffer a component failure just out of warranty. But that's what the people want, the cheapest possible PC they can get. There's no reason to believe that this ZT isn't exactly the same thing.

Also true. Hell, we've got $1200 HPs at work, and they suffer component failures.

You must not be using Monster Cable surge protectors or power supply regulators.

The trouble I'm having right now is with my HP Pavilion a1767C. I paid around $1200 new. I had to replace the hard drive a month after the warranty expired. I had to replace the video card shortly after that. Plus, they come loaded with all kinds of crap that I have not had much success in removing without affecting something else.

I was actually hoping you computer guys would look at the components that the ZT has stuffed in the box to let me know if they are any good or not. They are supposed to be your basic bare bones machines that run well with good parts at a reasonable price because they do not come with a bunch of fluff loaded onto them.

I'm partially inclined to just build something, but I know myself too well. I'd have a couple grand wrapped up it before long.

Get a Zotac ZBOX barebones. They have RAM, HD, BD-ROM drive all pre-installed, with HDMI+Sound output (you just need to buy the OS). I've built several machines based around their current and previous generation barebones, and their first Atom motherboards. Haven't had any problems with them yet.

If Dell and HP aren't recommended, what IS recommended for assembled systems?

Chris, I'm not sure whether to start a new thread or just crap on Mike's, but I'm intrigued by the Zotac boxes.

All I really do with the PC I have in the living room is web browsing and music streaming. I like separate devices for BD and DVR functions, but I do like the option of being able to stream internet content to the TV at 1080.

I know nothing about Ubuntu or other Linux systems, but buying another copy of Windows makes this kind of setup a different proposition.

Could I get some kind of decent music streaming and web browsing to work under Ubuntu on one of these machines?

That would allow me to repurpose the existing server/HTPC machine to another room.

I like places like NCIX. Great for the DIY or pre-assembled custom units.

I've not tried Ubuntu on the ZBOXes yet. I don't even have a spare one around right now, because they sell as quickly as I get them in.

I don't think there should be any hardware compatibility problems with the newest Ubuntu 10.10. Ubuntu ships with Firefox. I manually install the 64-bit Flash plugin, but that's not difficult. After that everything else is probably easier than Windows, albeit a little bit different.

Thanks, Chris. Recommendations for a particular model of the many ZBoxes for my application?

Is there another flavor of Linux I should be looking at instead?

Ubuntu has the widest adoption, by far. It has even infiltrated out Fedora/RedHat fortress at work.

I've been using the ZBOXHD-ID34BR lately, but always watching for newer models.

Yeah, use Ubuntu, it's the best desktop (and perhaps server).

Those Zbox's are pretty small. Cute little fellers.

No worries about crapping on this thread Tom. I think I am heading the direction that Chris has recommended.

I don't think the Zbox is for me though.

Any other places I should shop around for one of these pre-assembled machines? I do want to stay with Windows.

Puget Systems seems to get good reviews. Probably not as cheap as Dell, HP, etc.

The current Zbox actually comes with a mount that fits on the VESA screw holes in the back of a monitor, so the machine can sit there.