The query we received contained an embedded script rather than a product question, so this page instead introduces our industrial computer range and the technology behind it. If you were looking for a specific model, specification or comparison, please send us your requirement directly and our team will help you configure the right system.
What Makes an Industrial PC Different
An industrial PC is built to run continuously in environments where a standard desktop or office mini PC would struggle. The differences are practical rather than cosmetic: wide-temperature components, protection against dust and airborne particles, vibration-tolerant mounting, watchdog timers, and power input designed for industrial supplies rather than a wall socket. Storage is usually solid-state, because spinning disks are the first thing to fail in a hot cabinet or on a moving machine.
Connectivity matters just as much. Machine builders and system integrators frequently need multiple serial ports for legacy equipment, dual Ethernet for separate control and plant networks, and enough USB for scanners, cameras and programming interfaces. A well-designed industrial PC keeps these interfaces on the chassis rather than relying on adapters that work loose over time.
Processing Options and Performance
Modern industrial systems no longer trade performance for ruggedness. Intel's current mobile and embedded processors deliver strong single-thread responsiveness for control software and HMIs, with integrated graphics capable of driving two displays. Typical configurations pair a 6-core or 10-core processor with 16GB to 32GB of DDR4 memory and a 256GB to 1TB SSD, which is ample for SCADA, historian, vision and edge-analytics workloads.
| Requirement | Typical Specification |
|---|---|
| HMI / operator terminal | 4–6 cores, 8–16GB RAM, 128–256GB SSD |
| SCADA / historian node | 6–10 cores, 16–32GB RAM, 512GB–1TB SSD |
| Edge analytics / vision | 10–12 cores, 32–64GB RAM, 1TB SSD |
| Protocol gateway | 4 cores, 4–8GB RAM, 128GB SSD |
Operating Systems and Long-Term Support
Industrial deployments live far longer than office IT cycles, so the operating system choice is a decade-long decision. Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 IoT Value both suit Windows-based SCADA and HMI packages, with the IoT edition offering a longer servicing horizon. Linux remains popular where licensing cost, determinism or source access matters, and embedded Linux images are often used for kiosks, gateways and appliances that must boot unattended and recover automatically after power loss. For OEMs building their own stack, systems can also be supplied without an operating system or with a minimal DOS image for custom imaging.
Where These Systems Are Used
Typical applications include factory automation cells, CNC and motion control cabinets, packaging and filling lines, energy monitoring gateways, building management controllers, laboratory instruments, self-service kiosks, and thin-client fleets in warehouses and hospitals. The common thread is that downtime is expensive, the machine is often inaccessible, and the computer must keep working through heat, dust, vibration and unclean power.
Thinvent's Industrial Computer Range
Thinvent manufactures industrial computers, mini PCs, thin clients and all-in-one PCs for customers worldwide. Our industrial PC line combines fanless or low-noise thermal designs with 12th and 13th generation Intel Core processors, dual Gigabit Ethernet options, multiple serial ports, flexible storage and a choice of Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT Value, Ubuntu Linux, embedded Linux or no operating system. Every unit is built for continuous operation and can be configured to match your protocol, mounting and I/O requirements. Contact us with your application details and we will recommend the appropriate configuration.
