CWWK Magic Computer is an unusual fanless mini PC offered with a range of Alder Lake-N processors from the Intel Processor N95 to the Core i3-N305 and a PCIe x8 slot allowing users to connect all sorts of PCIe boards on the side of the device for example for networking and/or storage.
The mini PC supports up to 32GB DDR5, an M.2 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x1) SSD, two SATA drives, and up to four 4K capable monitors through HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C interfaces. It is also equipped with two 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and a range of internal headers for a COM port, USB 2.0, a TPM, and optional fans.
CWWK Magic Computer specifications:
- Alder Lake-N SoC (one or the other)
- Intel Processor N95 quad-core processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 16EU Intel HD graphics; TDP: 15W
- Intel Processor N97 quad-core processor @ up to 3.6 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel UHD Graphics; TDP: 12W
- Intel Processor N100 quad-core processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel HD graphics; TDP: 6W
- Intel Processor N200 quad-core processor @ up to 3.7 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 32EU Intel HD graphics; TDP: 6W
- Intel Core i3-N305 octa-core processor @ up to 3.8 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 32EU Intel UHD Graphics; TDP: 15W
- System Memory – Up to 32GB DDR5 RAM (4800/5200/5600Mhz) via a single SO-DIMM socket
- Storage
- M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x1) socket for 2242/2280 NVMe SSD
- 2x SATA ports
- MicroSD card slot
- Video Output – 2x HDMI 1.4 ports (odd that it is not HDMI 2.0…), 1x DisplayPort output, 1x USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt. mode; quad-independent display support
- Networking – 2x 2.5GbE Ethernet RJ45 ports via Intel i226-V controllers
- USB – 4x USB 2.0 ports, 1x USB Type-C port with DisplayPort Alt. mode
- Expansion – PCIe x8 slot (PCIe 3.0 x4) for storage, networking, etc…
- Internal headers
- USB 2.0 header
- COM port header
- TPM header
- 4-pin fan header
- 3-pin fan header
- Misc
- Power button, BIOS reset button
- Power and HDD LED indicators
- BIOS with support for Wake-on-LAN (WoL), GPIO, watchdog, PXE
- Aluminum alloy shell for passive cooling with mounting points for two optional fans
- Power Supply – 12V to 19V via DC jack (5.5/2.5mm) or 4-pin connector
- Power Consumption – 6 to 15 Watts
- Dimensions – Mini PC: 144 x 100 x 48 mm; motherboard: 140 x 90 mm
- Weight – TBD
- Temperature Range – 0 to 70°C
- Humidity – 5 to 85% RH
There are some downsides to the design. First, the mini PC does not provide an enclosure that would protect it from dust, then it lacks an M.2 socket for wireless connectivity, so it would have to be added through one of the USB 2.0 ports (limited to 480 Mbps) since there aren’t any USB 3.0 ports, and finally, the HDMI 1.4 ports would limit video output to 4Kp30 if the specifications are indeed correct.
The mini PC’s PCIe x8 slot – connected to a PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 interface – can be used to add up to four 2.5GbE ports, two 10GbE SFP cages, four additional NVMe drives, or an SFF-8643 adapter to connect multiple storage devices as shown in the illustration below.
I guess the “magic” in CWWK’s Magic Computer comes from the self-levitating PCIe card that is truly an amazing feat and technology breakthrough of sorts. More seriously, that means some standoffs would be required to hold the PCIe in place, except for the desktop mess that the SFF-8643 adapter, drives, and cables would bring to the table…
I could not find the N95 and N97 models for sale yet, but the others can be purchased now on Aliexpress:
- CWWK Magic Computer N100 starts at $213.85 (barebone) and goes up to $404.51 with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD
- CWWK Magic Computer N200 starts at $261.48 (barebone) and goes up to $463.17 with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD
- CWWK Magic Computer Core i3-N305 starts at $320.21 (barebone) and goes up to $522.04 with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD
It’s unclear whether the models with memory and storage also come with Windows or another OS as it’s not mentioned at all. I’d assume you may get an unactivated version of Windows.
Via Liliputing
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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There is review on STH last year, but without those crazy add-on cards. They look like some custom design board from other CWWK boxes.
Good catch! They use PCIe riser cards with their own PCIe add-on boards in various products, e.g.:
I completely forgot about that while writing the article, but I wrote about those previously: https://www.cnx-software.com/2023/06/26/intel-soft-router-offers-up-to-eight-2-5gbe-ports-comet-lake-or-whiskey-lake-core-processor/
Hi, does the BIOS of CWWK “Magic Computer” support UEFI and CSM settings?
Tomasz