FIRST LOOK: Jetway Magic Twin MiniQ Computer

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 2^nd 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.