What Is a Fanless Computer?
A fanless computer cools its processor without a fan. Heat moves from the chip to a metal chassis, which acts as a heatsink and releases heat to the air around it. With no moving fan, there are no fan bearings to wear out and no vents that draw in dust. This suits factory floors, kiosks, machine control cabinets, and other places where dust, heat, or vibration are present.
Key Specifications to Compare
Fanless systems in the Thinvent range use Intel Core processors from the 12th generation. The main differences between models are the processor series, memory, and storage:
| Model | Processor | Cores | Max Frequency | Cache | RAM | Storage | Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPC3 | Core i3-1215U | 6 | 4.4 GHz | 10 MB | 8 GB DDR4 | 256 GB SSD | None |
| IPC5 | Core i5-1240P | 12 | 4.4 GHz | 12 MB | 16 GB DDR4 | 512 GB SSD | Dual Band WiFi or none |
| IPC5 | Core i7-1255U | 10 | 4.7 GHz | 12 MB | 16 to 64 GB DDR4 | 512 GB to 1 TB SSD | Dual Band WiFi or none |
| Micro 5R | ARM Cortex A53 | 4 | 2.0 GHz | n/a | 2 GB | 16 GB eMMC | WiFi 6, Bluetooth |
| Micro 6 Pro | ARM Cortex A55 | 4 | 1.9 GHz | 1 MB | 4 GB | 32 GB eMMC | Dual Antenna WiFi |
The Core i5-1240P and Core i7-1255U models have dual LAN ports. Several Industrial PC models support Windows 11 IoT or Pro, Ubuntu Linux, or no operating system, so you can install your own software. The Micro 5R and Micro 6 Pro run Thinux embedded Linux.
Use Cases
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Factory automation and machine control: The IPC5 with dual LAN connects to several networks at once.
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Digital signage and kiosks: The Micro series is compact and draws low power.
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Thin client deployments: The Micro 5R and Micro 6 Pro connect to a central server and run light workloads.
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Edge computing and data logging: The IPC3 and IPC5 handle local processing where a network connection is unreliable.
Choosing the Right Fanless Computer
For light tasks and low power use, a Micro model is a good choice. For multitasking, larger databases, or heavier software, choose an IPC5 with a Core i5 or Core i7 processor and 16 GB or more of RAM. The Core i7-1255U models offer the highest clock speed in the range.
Thinvent Fanless Computers
Thinvent manufactures fanless industrial PCs, mini PCs, and thin clients. The range includes the IPC3 and IPC5 industrial PCs with Intel Core processors, and the Micro 5R and Micro 6 Pro with ARM processors. Each model is available with different memory, storage, and operating system options.
