Technical Articles & Industry Trends

Industrial All-in-One PC and Consumer All-in-One PC: What is the Difference?

With so many different options on the market, it can be hard to tell which all-in-one PC is right for you. While consumer all-in-one PCs are made for desktop environments, where the demand is variable and the computer has time for rest, industrial all-in-one PCs are made for heavy conditions and workload. So, how do you know which is right for you? There are five main differences.

Fanless Design

Have you ever been working on a laptop, and the computer running sounds like a jet engine preparing for takeoff? This is due to the fan working overtime to cool down your computer. Most industrial all-in-one PCs are designed to operate without the assistance of a cooling fan to prevent particulate build-up on internal components.

Ruggedized Body

While consumer all-in-one PCs offer a sleek look, there is not much protection from drops or bumps. For environments with high vibrations or high chance for drops and shocks, industrial all-in-one PCs have tough enclosures with sturdy internal components. Some Teguar units even have a MIL-STD-810 certification, which means they are proven to withstand extremely rugged conditions.

Waterproof Enclosure

Most consumer all-in-one PCs don’t boast strong waterproof ratings. If you ever spilled your drink across your desk and immediate panic ensued- you understand. Industrial all-in-one PCs have to undergo a liquid resistance test as part of the certification process to receive its ingress protection (IP) rating. This IP rating, generally from IP65 to IP69K, will indicate how the unit can handle a spray to the face, or a full-on power wash soak-down.

Input/Output Connections

A consumer PC may come equipped with roughly 8 to 10 input/output connections, providing you with the standard options. This should be sufficient for day-to-day computer activity, but for PCs in the industrial field, many connections are needed. It is very common for industrial all-in-ones to have 16+ I/O connections, with some units even offering customizable I/Os. On Teguar’s waterproof units, the I/Os come with M12 connectors, ensuring the whole unit is waterproof.

Placement Options

The standard Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mount on the back of most industrial all-in-one computers offers the flexibility to be mounted anywhere. Consumer all-in-ones could potentially be mounted, but most are just equipped for desktop living. Because industrial PCs often have high temperature ranges, wind resistance, and shock and drop resistance, they can be mounted virtually anywhere. Whether they are regularly exposed to the elements, in the center of a moving robot, or being launched into space, industrial panel PCs can be placed nearly anywhere you can think of.

Consumer all-in-one PCs might be ideal for just sitting on a desktop, but if you need any more flexibility than that, industrial all-in-one PCs are the way to go. These units are built to withstand the rigors of constant operation in less than ideal environments.

Need help finding the right industrial all-in-one PC for your project? Teguar offers professional help from product specialists to help you decide which is the correct computer that will meet your unique computing needs. Contact us today by calling (800) 870-7715 or contacting us online.

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