Understanding PC Pricing: What You Are Actually Paying For
A "PC price list" is really a list of configurations, not a single number. Two machines that look identical on the outside can differ by a factor of three in cost depending on the processor, memory, storage, operating system licence and the ruggedness of the chassis. When comparing prices, the useful approach is to fix the workload first — a point-of-sale terminal, a factory-floor panel, an office desktop and a thin client all have very different requirements — and then compare like-for-like configurations.
The Components That Move the Price
The processor sets the floor and ceiling of a system's capability. Entry-level Intel® Celeron® and Intel® N-series chips (such as the N95, N100 and N150) handle browsing, billing, kiosk and thin-client duties at low power. Intel® Core™ i3 parts like the 1215U (6 cores, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 MB cache) add real multitasking headroom, while i5 and higher generations suit CAD, video and data-heavy industrial software. Memory and storage scale the price in predictable steps: 4 GB or 8 GB DDR4 for light tasks, 16 GB for comfortable multitasking, 32 GB or 64 GB for virtualisation and databases; 128 GB SSD for a thin client, 256–512 GB for general office use, 1 TB and above for local data or imaging.
| Configuration Tier | Typical Processor | Memory / Storage | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Intel® Celeron®, N95 / N100 / N150 | 4–8 GB / 128–256 GB SSD | Thin clients, kiosks, billing, digital signage |
| Mainstream | Intel® Core™ i3 (e.g. 1215U, 6 cores) | 8–16 GB / 256 GB–1 TB SSD | Office desktops, POS, industrial HMI, machine control |
| Performance | Intel® Core™ i5 (e.g. 1335U) | 16–32 GB / 512 GB–1 TB SSD | CAD, analytics, multi-application workstations |
| High End | Intel® Core™ i5 / i7, 13th–14th gen | 32–64 GB / 1 TB+ SSD | Virtualisation, simulation, heavy industrial workloads |
Costs Beyond the Box
Three factors often matter more than the headline specification. First, the operating system: a machine supplied without an OS or with FreeDOS costs less than one with Windows 11 Pro, and Linux options such as Ubuntu or an embedded Linux build sit in between. Second, the enclosure and cooling: a fanless industrial PC with a sealed, dust-tolerant chassis and wide-temperature components costs more than a vented commercial desktop, but it survives heat, dust and vibration without maintenance. Third, I/O and mounting: dual Gigabit Ethernet, multiple HDMI outputs, USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB-C, RS-232/RS-485 serial ports, DIN-rail or VESA mounting and wide-range DC inputs all add cost — and all remove the need for adapters and dongles later.
How to Compare a Price List Properly
Ask for the full configuration, not just the model name: processor model number, core count, memory, storage, OS licence, Ethernet port count, serial ports, mounting and warranty terms. A cheaper unit that needs a fan replacement every year, or an adapter for every legacy serial device, is rarely the cheaper option over a five-year deployment. For volume rollouts, also confirm supply continuity — a platform that stays in production for years protects your spares and imaging strategy far better than one that changes every few months.
Thinvent's Range
Thinvent manufactures industrial computers, mini PCs, thin clients and all-in-one PCs built around Intel® and ARM platforms, with fanless cooling, wide-temperature operation and long-life supply. The range spans entry-level Intel® N-series mini PCs and thin clients, Intel® Core™ i3 industrial PCs such as the IPC3 with the i3-1215U (6 cores, up to 4.4 GHz, 16 GB DDR4, 1 TB SSD, optional quad DB9 serial), through to higher-performance i5 systems for demanding workloads. Operating system choices include Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT, Ubuntu Linux, embedded Linux and no-OS configurations, so you can match licence cost to the actual job. Browse the categories above to build a configuration and request a current quotation for your requirement.
