The iKOOLCORE R2 is a palm-sized PC with support for up to an Intel Core i3-N300 octa-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and an M.2 2242 slot for solid state storage. It also features four 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports, making it a tiny but versatile device for networking applications, as well as an HDMI port and USB Type-C port for connecting up two displays.

It’s the latest computer from the folks who made the iKOOLCORE R1 and R1 Pro, and the new model incorporates the improved cooling features of the latter while featuring updated processor options that should bring significantly better performance.

The new model measures 75 x 75 x 52mm (3″ x 3″ x 2″) making it a little taller than its predecessors, which were just 48mm high, but the same width and length.

Under the hood, the new model is available with a choice of either a 15-watt Intel N95 quad-core processor or a 7-watt Intel Core i3-N300 octa-core chip. While the Core i3 processor has a lower base power consumption, it’s a significantly higher performance processor with support for higher CPU frequencies and twice as many GPU execution units. And both processors are part of Intel’s Alder Lake-N family, which means they should bring big gains in CPU and graphics performance over the Jasper Lake chips used in the iKoolCore R1 series.

The little computers come with 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR5-4800 memory and support PCIe NVMe or SATA SSDs. The systems also have an E-Key socket for an optional WiFi 6E wireless card.

 

Like the iKOOLCORE R1 Pro, the new R2 model has a copper heat sink and PWM-controlled fan as well as an aluminum lid that acts as a passive heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the SSD.

Ports include two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port (all with 10 Gbps speeds), an HDMI 2.0 port, and four 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports including three with Intel i226-V controllers and one with a Realtek RTSL8156BG controller.

The USB 3.2 Type-C port on the side also supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode for displays with resolutions up to 4K and refresh rates up to 144Hz. This port does not support USB Power Delivery, but there is also a USB-C port on the back that is used only for 12V/4A power input.

On the side, there is one more USB-C port that’s curiously marked as an audio port with a Realtek ALC897 controller. The company says this was originally going to be a 3.5mm headphone jack, but was changed to a USB-C port during the design process to give the little computer a more consistent look.

The iKOOLCORE R2 should be able to support a wide range of operating systems and applications including Windows, Linux, and custom-purpose software like pfSense, OPNsense, Proxmox, OpenWrt, and more.

It’s available for preorder for $239 and up now and should begin shipping to customers worldwide in October.

This article was first published September 10, 2023 and most recently updated September 12, 2023 with pre-order information, updated renderings showing an additional vent (on the side with two USB-C ports), and more details about the USB ports. 

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  2. Nice to see a device with an N300 offered. I wonder if they’ll be able to source them? The N200/N300 look like fine solutions for a new HTPC, but I think a 2280 form factor on the nvme interface would be a minimum expectation.

    Reply

    1. Well, to get that you’d need a bigger box.
      I think if you can afford it, it’s probably worth it to stick to 4″x4″ boxes.

      Reply

      1. For sure. It wouldn’t be much bigger, though, and only in one dimension. Perhaps this box could be user-modded to allow a 2280 to stick out of the side by 10ish mm. Even a single 2280 drive is probably going to limit most users to 4TB, from the prices I see in the market. Is that enough capacity for a modern HTPC, nowadays?

        Reply

  3. Good looking little cube. I wonder if the USB-C port is truly PD (power delivery) compatible and whether it also can output video over the same port for a single-wire connection to a monitor that outputs power according to PD spec.

    Reply

  4. fashion for small routers
    but I need dedicated raid 10 (3-6 disc) , big procesor, and NAS
    fanless , open source, no blobs, open firmweare
    meybe solar panel for small power consumptions

    Reply