Zotac has recently announced their very own Steam Machine to join Valve’s expanding SteamOS-powered mini-PC lineup.

Featuring a compact Zbox-like form factor, Zotac’s new SN970 Steam Machine packs a wallop thanks to its beefy Sixth Generation Intel processor matched with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M GPU with 3GB of GDDR5 for higher-end graphical performance.

One of the big features of the SN970 is that it’s a 4K ready Steam Machine that supports full UHD at 60Hz, which is a welcome feature especially in the mini-PC realm.

Gamers can also hook up to four display monitors up to the device thanks to its 4x HDMI 2.0 ports, making the device a potential nexus for entertainment.

“We are honored to be working closely with Valve to bring gamers a system that will redefine PC gaming,” said Tony Wong, CEO of Zotac International.

“The Zotac Steam Machine delivers a fully optimized gaming platform with full emphasis on graphics. We have employed the latest Intel CPU and NVIDIA GPU technology so gamers can keep the graphics sliders on ultra, and enjoy smooth, 4k gaming.”

Like every other Steam Machine, Zotac’s SN970 runs Valve’s proprietary Steam OS right out of the box, which is aimed at simplifying the user experience for optimum accessibility and performance.

Zotac has yet to reveal pricing details for mini-PC, but Valve announced at GDC 2015 that we should start seeing the Steam Machines shipped out this November.

Whether or not the SN970 will be able to take on the current juggernauts of living room gaming–the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One–all depends on the price. If Zotac can maintain an attractive price point then gamers will be much more likely to jump onboard the mini-PC market, considering this particular model supports 4K gaming and has some beefy specs to boot.

Below we have a full list of specs on the Zotac SN970 Steam Machine:

Key Features

• SteamOS preloaded
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M MXM Graphics
• 4x HDMI 2.0, supports 4K UHD @ 60Hz
• 1x HDMI in
• 2D/3D NVIDIA Surround Sound
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet

Specifications

• 6th Gen Intel Processor
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M 3GB GDDR5
• 8GB DDR3 RAM
• 64GB M.2 Solid-State Drive
• 4x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0
• 1×2.5″ 1TB HDD
• 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
• Mic-in, Stereo Out
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Reader

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The mini-PC segment has been on the rise for the past two years, and Zotac is one of the better known brands in the sector. The push by both AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) to make their respective processors smaller and more power efficient has pushed the sector upwards.

It’s no surprise that Zotac brought a number of new and refreshed Zbox models to the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show. Zotac is trying to cater the needs of both gamers and those who only need their machines for more lightweight use with the lineup it brought to CES.

The most interesting addition to Zotac’s lineup is the gamer-centered Zbox EN860. The EN860 comes with a built-in GTX 860M, three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, two Ethernet ports, and a TOSLINK audio connector for home theater connectivity. Zotac says the system has G-Sync support, and will be able to drive 4K. Zotac has yet to confirm what processor will be machine, though very likely it will be Intel’s new power sipping Broadwell.

Next up is a new edition to Zotac’s C-series of mini-PCs, the Zbox CI 321 Nano. The CI 321 Nano features a GHz Intel Celeron 2961Y dual-core Haswell processor as well as 4GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of storage (with the Plus model). As far as connectivity goes it has 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI and DisplayPort.

Lastly, Zotac’s Zbox Pico got a slight refresh as it now features an AMD Mullins A4-6400T, R3 Graphics, 2 GB of DDR3 memory, 32GB of storage and mini-DisplayPort.

Pricing is unknown at this time, but it will be interesting how the refreshed Mullins competes with the previous-gen Intel version.

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HP (NYSE:HPQ) is making sure that it isn’t left out of any market. The manufacturer sells Chromebooks, and has decided to venture into low-cost Windows notebooks running Windows 8.1 with Bing late last year. Now, HP is getting into the mini-PC segment with the launch of its latest hardware, the Pavilion Mini and Stream Mini.

As the name suggests, the Pavilion Mini aims to offer desktop-level power in a small form factor. The machine can be configured with an Intel Pentium 3558U or Core i3-4025U, as well as 4 GB or 8 GB RAM and as much as 1 TB internal storage. With a power usage of just 45 watts, the Pavilion Mini consumes a fraction of energy of a standard desktop.

Also included is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity along with four USB ports, Ethernet, SD card reader, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors. HP claims that the Pavilion Mini can drive dual-monitors over DisplayPort. Prices for the Pavilion Mini start at $319 for the variant with a 500 GB mechanical hard drive. The system is offered in a white color variation.

For users looking for a no-frills system that allows them to undertake basic everyday tasks like browsing and streaming videos, HP is also offering a lower-end variant called the Stream Mini. The system features an Intel Celeron 2957U, 32 GB SSD and 2 GB RAM, and will be available from $179. HP is throwing in a $25 gift card to the Windows Store along with 200 GB OneDrive storage for two years. Considering that the product belongs in the Stream family, the Stream Mini will be offered in a Cobalt Blue color variant. Both systems come bundled with a mouse and keyboard, with sales set to commence from later this month.

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The Zbox CI320 is the latest offering by Zotac in the mini-PC segment, and is aimed at users looking to get a decent amount of performance from a machine with a tiny footprint. Available in a barebones edition as well as a Plus model with built-in storage and memory, the Zbox CI320 is about the lowest you can get in terms of price and still get the Windows 8.1 experience.

The Plus model, which we’ll be reviewing today, comes with 2 GB DDR3L memory and a 64 GB SSD pre-installed. Also on offer is Windows 8.1 with Bing, which ensures that you can get the Zbox up and running as soon as you take it out of the box. Priced at $270, Zotac’s offering is a strong contender for those looking to buy devices like a Chromebox to drive their workloads.

Hardware

The Zbox CI320 Plus is powered by a 1.83 GHz quad-core Intel Celeron N2930 CPU, which is more than adequate for the lighter computing tasks the mini-PC is designed for. The low power consumption figures, with a TDP of just 7.5W means that there isn’t a need for an active cooler. Intended to drive low-power hardware, the Bay Trail-M N2930 is often featured in Chromebooks and other entry-level hardware, like tablets and notebooks. One of the main features of the CPU is that it does not require a cooler, making machines like the CI320, which offer passive cooling, run silent.

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Form factors for PCs are getting smaller and smaller, but Zotac’s new Zbox PI320 Pico pushes the form factor even further. Pico is generally a term that is associated with a certain size of a PC, like the Zbox PI 320, and the truth is that this is one of the smallest ‘PC’  formfactors you can technically build a PC into, even though this thing is bordering on really being a nano PC. It also has the specs behind it to still technically be considered a PC.

Coming in at 4.54 x 2.6 x 0.75 inches, Zotac’s new Zbox is silent and small enough to fit in one’s pocket. Inside, it has an Atom Z3735F processor clocked at either 1.33 GHz or 1.83 GHz, 2 GB of DDR3L memory and 32 GB of Flash-based internal storage. For connectivity, it includes two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, Bluetooth 4.0, MicroSD, and both Ethernet as well as 802.11 b.g.n Wi-Fi.

“Zotac is a major innovator when it comes to miniaturizing the traditional PC. We began our push towards smaller and smaller mini-PCs with the Zbox nano form factor and followed up with the Zbox nano XS,” said Tony Wong, CEO, Zotac International, in a statement. “Now with the all-new Zbox PI320 pico, we have created our smallest mini-PC that can fit in your pocket.”

The computer also ships with Windows 8.1 with Bing.

Zotac expects the device to launch next month at a price point of $199.

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