Welcome. This page is your starting point for understanding the four main categories of compact computing hardware we build: industrial computers (IPCs), mini PCs, thin clients, and all-in-one PCs. Each category solves a different problem — some are designed to survive heat, dust and vibration on a factory floor, while others are built to sit quietly on an office desk or power a reception counter. Choosing correctly starts with knowing where the machine will live and what it must survive.
Form Factors at a Glance
The single biggest decision is form factor, because it determines mounting options, expandability, port count and thermal design. Industrial computers typically use fanless chassis with wide-temperature components, DIN-rail or wall mounting, and legacy I/O such as multiple DB9 serial ports for connecting PLCs, meters, barcode scanners and older controllers. Mini PCs prioritise a small footprint, low power draw and quiet operation. Thin clients strip local storage and processing to the minimum needed to connect to a remote desktop session. All-in-one PCs integrate the display and the computer into one panel.
| Type | Typical Mounting | Key Strength | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial PC | DIN rail, wall, VESA | Fanless, wide temp, serial/GPIO I/O | Factory automation, kiosks, SCADA |
| Mini PC | VESA, shelf, desk | Small, quiet, low power | Office, retail, digital signage |
| Thin Client | VESA, desk | Centralised management, low cost per seat | VDI, call centres, labs |
| All-in-One PC | Counter, wall, arm | Single-cable, clean installation | Reception, clinics, point of care |
Processors, Memory and Storage
Modern compact systems are built around low-power Intel platforms. Entry-level Intel Celeron and N-series processors (such as the N95, N100, N150 and J4125) suit thin clients, kiosk browsers and light signage. For heavier workloads — multi-tab dashboards, local databases, machine vision preprocessing or several virtual sessions — stepping up to Intel Core i3 or i5 processors (for example the 1215U, 1315U or 1335U) delivers more cores and higher burst clocks within a similar thermal envelope. Memory and storage choices matter just as much: 8GB is workable for a thin client, 16GB is the comfortable baseline for a Windows desktop workload, and 32GB or more makes sense when running local databases or virtual machines. Fanless designs generally favour SSDs over spinning disks, since SSDs tolerate vibration and generate no noise.
Connectivity and Operating Systems
Port count is often the deciding factor in real deployments. Look for dual Gigabit Ethernet when a device must sit on both a machine network and an office network, HDMI outputs for dual-display desks, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C for fast peripherals. On the software side, Windows 11 Pro remains the default for general business and industrial applications, Windows 11 IoT and embedded Linux images suit fixed-function appliances that should not change, and a no-OS or FreeDOS option lets integrators install their own stack. Long-term OS stability matters more than novelty in industrial settings, because a machine that reboots for an unwanted update can stop a production line.
