Introduction

A big thank you to Ace Magician for supplying the review sample.

Ace Magician is a relative newcomer to the mini-PC market. Formed by a group of tech enthusiasts in 2013, they have grown to offer numerous systems that fit nearly every price point, with varying performance levels to meet the individual needs of end users. It will be interesting to see where Ace Magician goes from here as the world of mini-PCs evolves. It remains an ultra-competitive market, to say the least, but considering the company's current level of success, it appears they are on the right track.


Today's review will focus on the Ace Magician AD03 N95 mini-PC. The unit uses Intel's ultra-efficient N95 CPU, which features 4 E-cores based on the Gracemont architecture, along with 16 GB of DDR4 3200 MHz SODIMM memory and a 512 GB M.2 SATA SSD. Add in the ability to install a 2.5-inch drive for expanded storage, support for dual monitors, and a 3-year warranty; it certainly looks appealing, considering its $282 price tag. But as we all know, appearances can be deceiving, so before heaping any praise, it would be wise to take a closer look.

Packaging and Contents

Regarding packaging, Ace Magician sticks with a neutral design, with the top featuring the company logo but little else beyond the fact the box contains a mini-PC. Meanwhile, the back has a simple list of the system's specifications.


The front edge is black with a bar code but little else, and the left side simply says "Mini PC" in white the other two panels are plain with no identifying markers or information to speak of.


Internally the packaging is designed with the system placed slightly left of center and wrapped in a thin layer of plastic within a cardboard tray. The power plug sits on the right side, and the screws and VESA mount are in the bottom.


The bracket included with the AD03 N95 system allows for the computer to be attached to a monitor with VESA 75 mm or 100 mm mounting holes. Beyond that, you have your power plug, rated for 30 watts, a simple manual, and a surprising but much appreciated included HDMI cable. Due to the unit being fully equipped with storage and system memory, there are no other component costs to worry about.

• Ace Magician AD03 N95 System
• Power plug
• VESA mounting plate
• VESA screws
• HDMI cable
• Manual

A Closer Look

The chassis is plain with no textured features on the top, with only the Ace Magician logo breaking up the uniform gray color. Meanwhile, the bottom has a large vented opening with some stickers detailing the AD03 N95's specifications and the company's contact information. Four small rubber feet are located at each corner to keep the system off the desk, if not mounting to a monitor.


On the front, users have 5 USB ports to work with, including 1x USB Type-C (data), 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, and 2x USB 3.0 Type-A. A small reset switch and an audio and microphone jack can also be found here, as well as the power switch. Moving to the left side, there is a large vented opening for improved airflow.


Looking at the back I/O, there are 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports along with 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI port, and 2x Ethernet ports (1GbE). The DC12V power plug is also located on the back. Meanwhile, the right side is similar to the left in that it has a vented opening for airflow but also has a Kensington lock, should you need it.


To power the system, Ace Magician is using a Kuanten 30-watt power plug.