How to Choose an Industrial PC​？

With the continuous advancement of industrial automation and digitalization, industrial computers are playing an increasingly critical role across various industries. Below is a summary of common application areas:

1. Industrial Automation & Smart Manufacturing

• Production line equipment control

• SCADA system data acquisition and monitoring

• Robotics control and factory logistics management

2. Intelligent Transportation & Vehicle Applications

• Traffic signal control systems

• Smart public transport and rail transit monitoring

• On-board monitoring and information systems

3. Smart Retail & Self-Service Terminals

• Vending machines and self-service pickup lockers

• Digital signage and smart advertising displays

• Interactive touch terminals

4. Energy Management & Environmental Monitoring

• Wind and solar power system monitoring

• Wellhead control in oil & gas industry

• Urban environmental and weather monitoring stations

5. Medical Devices & Health Tech

• Medical imaging acquisition and analysis equipment

• Laboratory automation instruments

• Telemedicine and health monitoring systems

6. Military, Security & Emergency Command

• Field operation and special task control terminals

• Emergency command center data processing

• Intelligent security systems and remote monitoring platforms

7. Smart City & IoT Applications

• Smart parking management systems

• Intelligent lighting control systems

• Urban infrastructure data collection and management

This translation maintains technical accuracy while ensuring natural readability for an English-speaking audience. The bullet-point format enhances clarity, and industry-standard terminology is used throughout.

 Key Factors for Industrial Computer Selection

To ensure the optimal industrial computer is selected, it is essential to systematically evaluate and balance the following key factors:

1. Processor Performance (CPU)

Choose the appropriate processor type based on application complexity, such as Intel Atom, Celeron, Core i-series, or ARM architecture.

• Low-power CPUs are suitable for data acquisition and control applications.

• High-performance multi-core processors are required for tasks like image processing and AI computing.

2. Storage & Memory

• RAM capacity affects multitasking performance—allocate sufficient memory with redundancy based on software requirements.

• Storage media: Industrial-grade SSDs are recommended for enhanced durability and vibration resistance.

• Ensure compatibility and expandability of storage interfaces (e.g., SATA, M.2, NVMe).

3. Input/Output (I/O) Interfaces

• Verify the number and types of serial ports (RS232/RS485), USB, LAN, GPIO, and CAN for device connectivity.

• Check for video output interfaces (HDMI, DP, VGA) and multi-display support.

• Expandability: Availability of Mini-PCIe or PCIe slots for additional modules.

4. Communication Capabilities

• Wired: Number of Gigabit LAN ports, support for redundancy or link aggregation.

• Wireless: Integrated or expandable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular (4G/5G) modules.

• Special requirements: Support for PoE, industrial Ethernet (e.g., Modbus, PROFINET).

5. Power Supply Specifications

• Wide voltage input (e.g., 9V–36V DC) improves tolerance to power fluctuations.

• Safety features: Redundant power, reverse polarity protection, overcurrent/overvoltage protection.

6. Size, Structure & Mounting

• Select an appropriate form factor (e.g., compact, standard, rack-mounted) based on space constraints.

• Mounting options: Wall-mount, DIN rail, panel-embedded, or VESA bracket.

• Enclosure material (aluminum/steel) and IP rating (e.g., IP65) must meet environmental demands.

7. Environmental Durability

• Operating temperature range: Must comply with extreme cold/heat or thermal shock conditions.

• Resistance to dust, water, and corrosion.

• Vibration/shock certifications (e.g., MIL-STD-810G).

8. Software & System Compatibility

• Supported OS: Windows 10/11 IoT, Linux distros, Android.

• Customization: BIOS customization, driver packages, and SDKs for integration and development.

9. Certifications & Compliance

• Industry certifications: CE, FCC, UL, RoHS, ISO.

• Specialized standards (e.g., EN60601 for medical, E-Mark for transportation).

10. Lifecycle Management & Support

• Long-term availability: 5–7+ years of stable supply commitment.

• After-sales service: Local technical support, fast repair, and spare parts availability.

• Software updates & security patches support duration.

This structured approach ensures a reliable and future-proof industrial computing solution tailored to your operational needs.

Selection Recommendations for Different Application Scenarios

Different application scenarios impose varying requirements on the performance, structure, and functionality of industrial computers. By aligning configurations with actual industry-specific needs, system stability and cost-effectiveness can be significantly improved.

1. Smart Manufacturing & Automation Control

Key Requirements:

• High stability for continuous long-term operation

• Extensive I/O interfaces for industrial equipment connectivity

• Robust data processing and real-time control capabilities

Selection Guidelines:

• Fanless design for enhanced dust/contaminant resistance

• Multiple serial ports (RS232/422/485), LAN, and GPIO interfaces

• DIN-rail or panel-mount installation for control cabinet integration

• Real-time OS (RTOS) or latency-optimized Linux support

2. Intelligent Transportation & Vehicle Applications

Key Requirements:

• Wide-temperature operation with vibration/shock resistance

• Multi-network support (4G/5G, GPS, Wi-Fi)

• Automotive-grade power input (9-36V DC)

Selection Guidelines:

• EN50155 (railway) or E-Mark (vehicle) certified

• Wide-temperature range (-40°C to 70°C) with anti-vibration design

• Built-in GNSS module and CAN bus interface

• Compact form factor with vehicle-mount or wall-mount options

3. Medical Devices & Life Sciences

Critical Needs:

• High-performance image processing

• Silent and particulate-free operation

• Medical electrical safety compliance

Recommendations:

• Fanless/sealed design to minimize infection risks

• High-end CPU/GPU for HD image acquisition/processing

• EN60601-1 medical safety certification

• Multi-display support for medical imaging analysis

4. Energy & Environmental Monitoring

Operational Demands:

• Remote data collection/transmission

• Extreme outdoor environment resilience

• Low-power sustained operation

Solution Highlights:

• Wide-temperature range with IP65+ rated enclosures

• 4G/5G/LoRa/NB-IoT remote communication support

• Energy-efficient CPU design compatible with solar power systems

• Compact wall-mount or embedded installation

5. Smart Retail & Self-Service Kiosks

User Priorities:

• Intuitive touchscreen HMI experience

• Reliable operation with remote maintenance

• Space-efficient embedded design

Feature Focus:

• Projected capacitive multi-touch displays

• Remote management and OTA update capabilities

• Multiple USB/LAN ports for peripherals (printers, scanners)

• Aesthetic designs adaptable to various enclosure sizes

6. Smart City & Public Infrastructure

Mission-Critical Needs:

• 24/7 fault-resistant operation

• Environmental hardening (dust/rain/UV resistant)

• Edge computing and local data processing power

Deployment Essentials:

• IP65+ protection rating

• On-device AI acceleration (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson integration)

• High-bandwidth connectivity for edge-to-cloud synchronization

• Modular architecture for serviceability and upgrades

Summary of Industrial Computers and Future Trends

As the core enabler of intelligent and automated systems, industrial computers have been widely adopted across various sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, energy, and retail. During the selection process, key factors such as processing power, environmental adaptability, interface versatility, form factor, power requirements, and product lifecycle must be carefully evaluated to ensure system stability and sustainable development.

Looking ahead, with the continuous advancement of IoT (Internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence), edge computing, and 5G communication technologies, industrial computers will evolve toward higher performance, lower power consumption, greater intelligence, and enhanced modularity. In emerging fields such as smart manufacturing, smart cities, connected vehicles, and green energy, industrial computers will no longer serve merely as data processing hubs but will also function as intelligent nodes capable of autonomous decision-making and real-time response.