Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/1295




The fastest-growing area for computers in the past year has been the Small Form Factor barebone computers. That's why it seems every manufacturer lately has introduced a new SFF system in this market segment first created by Shuttle. As you have seen in our SFF reviews, most of the new SFF machines are just "me-too" boxes, but a few have stood out with thoughtful design or extremely quiet operation. However, only a few like Biostar or Soltek, have really challenged Shuttle's leadership in this market. It also seems that almost every new SFF is based on the Intel 865G chipset. With the popularity and value of the 865G, combined with the integrated Intel graphics, this is certainly understandable. It is rare, however, that a new 865G SFF stands out from the crowd.



The Jetway Magic Twin 865 does stand out in this increasingly crowded market. It is the first and only 2-user SFF that we have seen or heard about. Someone in Jetway obviously took a long hard look at the SFF market and asked how Jetway could distinguish themselves in the crowded 865 SFF market. Jetway's answer was the MiniQ 860Twin based on their proprietary 865GFT 2-user SFF motherboard.

So, what exactly is Magic Twin? What can it do?
  • 1 PC can be used by 2 users at the same time
  • 2 users can browse the internet, send and receive email at the same time
  • 2 users can access all software installed on the PC at the same time (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Data Base, games, etc.)
  • 2 users can play games against each other with a dual-port VGA card
Magic Twin looks like a pretty unique solution for a home with 2 kids doing homework, or even as a budget system where Dad or Mom can browse the Internet while a child is doing homework on the Jetway computer. Another interesting use would be the small business with a small budget, which describes just about every startup company. 2 users can share a small Jetway MiniQ computer, which is not very expensive and doesn't take up much space.




What Do You Need for a Twin PC?

Jetway also sells the Twin PC as motherboards, at least in some markets. Whether a motherboard or SFF, the same items are required for Twin PC operation:
  • Jetway MiniQ SFF or Twin Motherboard - the Magic Twin technology is copyrighted by Jetway and the motherboard has additional components to enable the Twin PC operation. You cannot just simply install the software on other motherboards for 2 PC Operation.
  • Dual Head VGA - the 860Twin comes with just a single VGA connector, so you must add a Dual Head VGA card for Twin PC operation. One of the nVidia nForce2 versions, the MiniQ 765Twin, comes with Dual Head VGA built in, but all other MiniQ systems require a Dual Head VGA card for Twin PC operation.
  • PS2 or Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Splitters - the common Keyboard and Mouse splitters are supplied with the MiniQ systems. For audio on both systems, you need to use Mini Jacks for System 1 Audio and USB Speakers for System 2 OR you can purchase a USB external adapter that connects to a USB port and adapts to standard audio mini jacks .
  • Windows XP with Service Pack 1 - The Magic Twin software is designed to work with dual-user hardware on Windows XP - either the Home or Professional edition. It will not work on Windows 98, ME, or 2000.
  • Magic Twin Software - The Magic Twin software layer is supplied with both the SFF barebone and Magic Twin motherboards.


Technical requirements for a 2-user Magic Twin system include:
  • minimum 1.2Ghz CPU
  • 256MB or more memory
  • Maximum distance for 2nd Station of 25 feet




Jetway MiniQ 860Twin

Jetway supplies the MiniQ 860Twin SFF in several different colors.



The unit we tested was a very attractive Silver on Silver. All units also come with a trackball remote, which is more sensible than it first appears.



With the second workstation possibly in a second room, either wired or wireless, the remote is handy to make adjustments on the PC that controls both systems.

The front panel LCD is a really nice feature of the 860Twin.



All operational information is supplied as pictographs on the soft blue display.



The LCD supplies quite a lot of useful information, including CPU temperature, Fan Speed, Time, and Messages.

The evaluation system also included a Jetway GeForce FX 5600XT to provide the Dual-Head Video Card for 2-user operation.



The flip-down front door covers the ports, which are an almost ideal arrangement of an optical SPDIF in, mic and headphone mini jacks, 2 firewire ports, and 2 USB.



The rear ports of the 860Twin are just as complete - with the PS2 mouse and keyboard ports, LAN, 3 USB, 3 mini audio jacks, VGA, serial, and a printer port. Yes, a printer port! The Jetway 860Twin is one of the few SFF that we have tested with a standard parallel printer port if you need one. Also, on the back of the case are a 2nd Serial port and a SPDIF optical out socket.




2-User Operation

Since we have tested a number of Intel 865G SFF systems, we took a look at the Jetway in what is unique to the system, namely the 2-user operation. Frankly, we were skeptical that an 865G board with a hardware modification and a simple software layer could really provide 2-user operation with each user acting like a separate computer. We set up the 860Twin with an Intel 2.4, an 80GB hard drive, 512MB Memory, the 5600XT, Windows XP Pro and Magic Twin software. This would be considered a very low-cost entry-level Pentium 4 system, and is the kind of set-up a lot of buyers might use with the 860Twin.

We then used the splitters to feed 2 keyboards and 2 mice, used the on-board mini-jack for User 1 audio, and a USB converter (to mini-jacks) for User 2 audio. Two flat-panel connectors were connected to the 5600XT and off we went. The splitters were picky about the arrangements of connections for User 1 and User 2, but it was pretty easy to sort out. Otherwise, the setup was easy.

We set up 2 users who were checking email, writing in Word and adding data to spreadsheets. We had no problem getting our single-user installation of Microsoft Office to work just as if these were separate PC's. We also saw no perceptible difference in performance when we ran the 860Twin as a single user or with 2 users working. We can only assume that the time-slicing mechanism used to enable Magic Twin works very well.

As a SFF alone, we did a quick check of the Jetway versus a Shuttle system that is very low noise. With everything else off in the room, we could barely hear the Jetway. Compared to the latest Shuttle, the Jetway seemed just about as quiet. Certainly, most would consider the Jetway a very quiet system, not like some of the loud SFF systems that we have tested in the past.

Unfortunately, things in our industry don't always perform as promised, but the Jetway 860Twin did just what it promised - serving 2 users from a SFF system without a lot of hassle.




Our Take

A 2-user SFF system is not something that everyone is looking for. Some users want their SFF to be the tiny computer that can out-overclock everything in existence; others want an SFF with no fans and total silence. The Jetway 860Twin will not likely appeal to either of these users. However, for someone looking for a small, quiet, and reasonable computer that can really work for 2 users, and appear to each user like they are the only person using the system, then the Jetway is a great and truly unique solution.

As a standalone SFF, the Jetway is very competitive with the best 865G SFF that we have tested. It performs well, and is quiet enough to keep up with the leaders in silence in this category. It also was very easy to set up and has an extremely useful front-panel LCD that tells you the time, CPU temperature, and fan speed. There are a number of competent Intel 865G Small Form Factor computers, and the Jetway 865G is another one that we can recommend based on our look at the features and performance.

However, what truly stands out on the Jetway is its unique abilities as a small computer that can serve 2 users. The Jetway is the first and only SFF computer that can truly work with 2 users, using just the standard software that you own and the Magic Twin hardware and software that comes with the system. This could be the perfect system for a family who doesn't want to spend a lot of money, but would really like to be able to give their school-age child access to a computer for their schoolwork while mom or dad could still answer emails and shop on the internet. It would also be a great computer for a family with 2 kids who both need to do homework or research for a paper at the same time. Both students could use the same economical computer system and never feel that they had to "share". A couple could also use the Jetway 860Twin at the same time without having to fight over computer times or set up sharing schedules. The system is cheap enough that even first-time computer buyers can buy a system that will support two users, right out of the box. The only extras that they would need would be a Dual head video card, an extra monitor, and 2 keyboards/mice. Many households have a CRT monitor and want to buy an LCD. With the Jetway, they could move that old CRT to a 2nd user and put the new flat panel with User 1.

Last, but certainly not least, are the potential business users who have a need for an economical 2-user system. What a great computer for a small start-up with a lot of ideas, but not much cash. The small company could actually use the Jetway 860Twin to equip the company with computers for a very small amount of money. This isn't true networking; rather, it is just clever and transparent time-slicing, but the multiplexing is all but invisible to each of the two users.

The Jetway 860Twin is a truly unique Small Computer that will definitely meet your needs if they include 2-users for one computer or a very low cost per user. There is nothing else on the market that provides the same features at such a low cost per user. If these features would solve some problems for you, then you should definitely take a close look at the Jetway 860Twin. This small computer did exactly what Jetway promised and it is a great solution for anyone looking for low cost computing.

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