FIRST LOOK: Jetway Magic Twin MiniQ Computer
by Wesley Fink on April 16, 2004 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
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.
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paranone - Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - link
@fchiu:(I assume you're from Anandtech, right? Sorry, I'm new here...)
I read Windows XP can't really have concurrent sessions, it was planned for SP2 to allow one local and one remote session simultaneously but hasn't been left in the final version, TomsHardware also says it's theoretically possible but in practice it doesn't work (that's what they call "fast user switching" you are both referring to, no?).
Well, since I read the Jetway 915P-TWIN mobo on TH, I'm looking everywhere on the web to find a software solution but although I don't see any hardware trouble in having 2 users sharing a computer and I read Magic Twin is just a "software add-on" or "software layer", you say it needs some special components but which are those?? I can't figure that out and as I see it, you couldn't either (or didn't want to).
But indeed you can't install the program on whichever computer, it says it's "hardware protected".
So does anybody know if it's possible by software, know of a software to do it (enjoying our dual head graphic cards and usb plugs) or if it's not possible without hardware add-on (but why!) is there any widely distributed product out there?
(I saw this : http://www.adfast.com.tw/easys.htm , probably distributed in 2 1/2 taiwanese stores and the Virtual PC Buddy named above is some really old hardware)
timbeech - Wednesday, August 4, 2004 - link
Howard Computers has a TwinPC available using the Jetway Motherboard. This unit will play UT2004 with a high-end graphics card allow two users to play each other on the same machine AWA play on the network. It has been tested with a variety of applications that require the cd to be in the drive and it works great.RobertJTownley - Sunday, April 25, 2004 - link
Multiple IP addresses can be assigned to the same Network Interface Card. No special software needed, look at the static windows ip configuration.fchiu - Sunday, April 18, 2004 - link
#3- I tried it and each station can join ut2003 and play ok.#5- software is installed once and running on one computer. it is still ith in the EULA
#7- hyperthread will help the system. 2 user will give the system to do more process at the same time. More memory also helps.
#8- Jetway also make Mainboard with this feature. if you want to stick with SSF just use USB External CD Rom.
#9- the process is time slice is true. If the first station have a command sending to the drive play a DVD movie, it will not let the second user have access to the drive.
#10- windows xp allow multiple user login at the same time (switch between user)
#15- There is only 1 network card and 1 IP. IP is just an address for the network to find the system. software will decodes all the information that is recieve from network card.
#16- how many percent of the world population uses microsoft windows?
#18- it is still one computer running one operating system. all this will tell you is the score of the system running 2 benchmark software at the same time.
fchiu - Sunday, April 18, 2004 - link
asianafro - Saturday, April 17, 2004 - link
would a kvm switch work in this situation? If it ever were to get support from the open source community, it would be a great way to manage 2 operating systems...yumarc - Saturday, April 17, 2004 - link
To Panther: 2 users can use the computer at the same time.I'd also like to see some game benchmarks tests with a high end video card.
Panther - Friday, April 16, 2004 - link
alright, I'm clearly missing something here. How is this any cooler than have 2 user accounts logged into any old machine?TauCeti - Friday, April 16, 2004 - link
Great! After billions of dollars spend someone invented a system with the ability for _two_ users to work simultanously with windows XP. A miracle!If you have 20 children at home i suggest to get some cheap terminals/X-Servers and use a decent UNIX-box. This is surreal.
thraxes - Friday, April 16, 2004 - link
I suppose both users share the same IP when connected to a LAN, is that correct? 2 Useres each with their own IP means two NICs, right?