The PC version of the Mac mini: the Dell Inspiron Zino HD – Zino HD review

Anytime a customer has asked me for a small desktop to go with that’s cheap and good, I have suggested the Mac Mini 8 times out of 10.  If it’s just to get on the Internet or use to connect to a large screen TV as part of an entertainment center, the Mac Mini works great.  But, if you were an avid Windows computer user who isn’t a fan of Macs, then the next recommendation was to go with a Shuttle computer.  The shuttle computer is the same size as the Mac Mini, but operates on the Windows operating system.

Now, Dell will be taking a piece of the mini computer pie with its new Dell Inspiron Zino HD Desktop.  Better yet, it starts at only $300 versus the $5-600 starting prices of the Mac Mini and the Shuttle computer.  Best of all, it acts as a great entertainment PC.

Here’s what you can do with the Dell Inspiron Zino HD:

• Watch TV off it by connecting a HDMI from it to your TV.
• Watch Blu-ray movies from it via your TV.
• Store up to 1TB of movies and photos.
• Surf the Internet, play games, run programs.

In terms of computer support, it comes with Windows 7 so you don’t have to worry about any glitches like from the Windows Vista days.  Plus, the great aspect of going with Dell is the warranty includes on-site computer support.  So, if your Zino HD doesn’t boot due to a hard drive failure, Dell will send one of their Dell technicians to replace it onsite.  Just make sure to go with the onsite computer warranty option.