What is an embedded fanless PC?
An embedded fanless PC is a compact computer built into industrial equipment or installed in a fixed location. It has no fan. Heat leaves the case through a metal chassis, so the unit has no moving parts for air intake or exhaust. Fewer moving parts means fewer points of dust buildup and failure, and the unit can run in dusty or hot environments where a fan-cooled PC would need frequent cleaning.
Key specifications
The Thinvent range includes Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors from the 12th generation, and ARM Cortex processors for thin client and mini PC models. Intel-based models in the Industrial PC IPC3 and IPC5 series offer 6 to 12 cores, with boost clock speeds up to 4.7 GHz and cache sizes from 10 MB to 12 MB. Memory options range from 8 GB to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM. Storage options range from 256 GB to 1 TB SSD.
ARM-based Thinvent Micro models use a Cortex A53 or Cortex A55 processor with 4 cores, up to 2.0 GHz. They include 2 GB to 4 GB of onboard RAM and 16 GB to 32 GB of eMMC storage. These models run Thinux embedded Linux.
Connectivity varies by model. Some IPC5 models include dual LAN ports. Dual band WiFi is available on several Intel models. Some models ship without WiFi. The Micro models offer WiFi 6 with Bluetooth on the Micro 5R and dual antenna WiFi on the Micro 6 Pro.
Operating system choices include Windows 11 IoT Value, Windows 11 Pro, Ubuntu Linux, Thinux embedded Linux, or no operating system.
Use cases
Fanless embedded PCs suit factory automation, machine control, kiosks, digital signage, transport systems, and building automation. They also suit thin client deployments where a central server runs the applications.
Comparison of Thinvent embedded PC series
| Series | Processor | Cores | Max Frequency | RAM | Storage | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPC3 | Intel Core i3-1215U | 6 | 4.4 GHz | 8 GB | 256 GB SSD | Light industrial control |
| IPC5 | Intel Core i5-1240P | 12 | 4.4 GHz | 16 to 32 GB | 512 GB to 1 TB SSD | Multi-task industrial control |
| IPC5 | Intel Core i7-1255U | 10 | 4.7 GHz | 16 to 64 GB | 512 GB to 1 TB SSD | Demanding industrial workloads |
| Micro 5R | ARM Cortex A53 | 4 | 2.0 GHz | 2 GB | 16 GB eMMC | Thin client |
| Micro 6 Pro | ARM Cortex A55 | 4 | 1.9 GHz | 4 GB | 32 GB eMMC | Mini PC for embedded tasks |
Thinvent embedded fanless PCs
Thinvent manufactures the Industrial PC IPC3 and IPC5 series, which use Intel 12th generation Core processors in fanless chassis. Thinvent also manufactures the Micro 5R thin client and the Micro 6 Pro mini PC, which use ARM Cortex processors and run Thinux embedded Linux. Each model is available in several memory, storage, connectivity and operating system configurations.
