[section_title title=”Closer Look”]Closer Look
This time working with a normal SKU we can provide you with some box shots. On the right hand the Plus model’s benefits are pointed out to us, that is, the inclusion of 4GB RAM and a modest SSD.
Switching around to the rear of the Nano’s box we’ve got a brief feature rundown. Though it is even smaller than the Sphere, ZOTAC have retained some of the customization options should you wish to upgrade the Nano down the line. Interestingly, the Nano has SPDIF output support, yet the Sphere doesn’t.
The specification and contents list doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know but it’s nice to see that a Wifi antenna has been included and that ZOTAC have stuck with the drivers provided on a USB stick too. Given the similarities between the Nano and Sphere it’s odd that the Nano should come with an external antenna.
The box itself is tightly packed away between two hard foam sandwiches. The box on the left houses our accessories and power cords – of which both EU and UK versions are included.
VESA mount, antenna, USB driver stick and mini SPDIF connector are the important extras in the box.
Getting our first glimpse of the Nano in its miniature glory we can see that ZOTAC haven’t missed anything when it comes to connectivity. Two USB slots on the front along with a card reader are pretty much sure to have every device you’re likely to use with this covered already, along with headphone and microphone ports and an IR port.
On the reverse of the Nano we’ve got another feature packed IO section. HDMI and Display Port out means that you’re covered for resolutions up to 4K (3840*2160) so any current and future media content shouldn’t be an issue for the Nano. The four USB 3.0 ports and eSATA port offer yet more expansion somewhat offsetting the lack of internal options and last we have the network connections in the form of ethernet and base of the WiFi antenna. Perhaps the ethernet jack could be forgone completely here, given the target market of the Nano and have a DVI connection or something present instead.
Cracking the Nano open you can see just how tightly the chassis is packed. All of the configurable parts of the Nano are in view off the bat including the Wifi card if you wished to switch it out for whatever reason.
It’s a dainty little thing. The chassis is also well perforated all around to aid ventilation of the passive Nano. The box doesn’t claim silence, but outside of some possible transistor noise and coil whine, it’s hard to see how that wouldn’t be the case.
Time to see if the minor hardware sacrifices affected the Nano in our benchmarks…
