Technical Articles & Industry Trends

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Panel PC vs Industrial Box PC + Touchscreen

by Cory Hovanetz

Industrial applications require industrial computers, and there is no question about this. Industrial computers are rugged solutions that offer long life cycle support, the two main requirements for long term mission critical applications. That being said, there are two different implementations that are often considered for these deployments. One solution is an all-in-one touchscreen computer or panel PC. The other option is a two-piece solution consisting of an industrial box PC and touchscreen display. There are benefits with both of these implementations, and I would like to outline the use cases where one may be desirable over the other. 

Industrial touchscreen panel PCs are the most straight forward solution for most VESA mount and panel mount applications. The computer and touchscreen are integrated into one package, so external cables are unnecessary. All-in-one touchscreen computers can be mounted to an arm or stand or hang on a wall using the VESA mounting holes for a clean appearance. All-in-one touchscreen panel PCs can be panel mounted into a cutout in an enclosure, where the screen is flush with the enclosure surface. Stainless steel all-in-one computers can be mounted in areas that are exposed to liquids, and they offer IP66 protection in wash down areas, which is common in many food manufacturing and pharmaceutical applications. These panel PCs and all-in-one computers simplify industrial automation and OEM equipment designs, as they can be easily integrated as a single piece of hardware.  

Some factory automation and OEM equipment manufacturer applications prefer a two-piece solution. Separating the industrial computer from the touchscreen display is seen as beneficial in some settings. Industrial computers are by definition reliable, but failures can still happen for a variety of reasons, and sometimes a two-piece solution is preferred. The most common examples of this is when there are known environmental or human threats to the touchscreen interface. A few examples from real world experience are with metal foundry computers, automotive manufacturing computers, and public kiosks. In these applications, the touchscreen user interface is frequently subject to abuse from metals, tools, and rowdy constituents. A two-piece solution may be preferable in these instances, as it is easier and less costly to replace a damaged touchscreen monitor than the entire panel PC. There are other situations where a two-piece solution may be beneficial. One example is related to the required LCD screen size. High performance Core i3/i5/i7 panel PCs are available in screen sizes down to 12.1&#;. If the application requires a smaller screen size, it is necessary to separate the industrial computer components into a rugged box PC and an industrial touch monitor. Another example of where a two-piece solution may be beneficial is when the highest processing performance is required.  Most high-performance industrial panel PCs include i3/i5/i7 mobile processors, and these CPUs are typically limited to dual core performance. Fanless box PCs are available with much higher CPU performance. Teguar&#;s latest TB-/TB- box PCs support 7th generation Kaby Lake i5/i7 desktop processors that offer quad core computing and desktop performance. These high-performance box PCs can be mated with Teguar industrial touchscreen monitors from 7&#; up to 21.5&#; to provide the highest performance fanless industrial computers available today.

Contact a Teguar account representative for a free consultation about what solution is best for you.

Technical Articles & Industry Trends

Industrial Monitor & Box PC Vs. Industrial All-in-One - Which is Right for Your Application?

by Emily Vrettos

Want more information on Industrial Touch Screen All in one Panel PC? Feel free to contact us.

When working in industrial conditions, it is imperative to have a computer fit for the job. Industrial computers are rugged solutions that offer long life cycle support. With so many industrial computer options on the market, it can be hard to figure out which solution is right for your application.

These computers often come in two different implementations. One solution is an all-in-one touchscreen computer or panel PC. The other option is a two-piece solution consisting of an industrial box PC and industrial monitor. There are benefits to both of these implementations and it is important to choose the right option for your application.

Why Choose an All-In-One?

With an Industrial All-in-One PC, the computer and touchscreen are integrated into one package. This creates a straightforward solution for most VESA and panel mount applications. External cables are unnecessary, creating seamless installation.

All-in-Ones are designed for ease of mounting on various options- wall mounts, desk stands, on swing arms, or for installation in control consoles. Often times, All-in-One PCs are found panel mounted flush to the wall. Not only does this create a clean appearance, but it also removes clutter from your work area where cables and multiple computers could be found.

Another feature of All-in-One industrial computers is the ability to be mounted into specific hardware. This is especially useful for OEM/ODM projects where the customer may already have the mechanism but just needs the computer put in place to operate it.

Why Choose an Industrial Monitor & Box PC?

In some settings, separating the industrial monitor from the box PC can be seen as beneficial. While industrial monitors are reliable, situations where there is known human and environmental interaction could be subject to damage. Real world examples of this are applications with metal foundry computers, automotive manufacturing computers, and public kiosks.

In these applications, the touchscreen user interface is frequently subject to abuse from metals, tools, and rowdy users.  A two-piece solution is preferable in these settings because it is easier and less costly to replace a damaged industrial monitor rather than an entire All-In-One unit.

Another reason why it would be beneficial to get a two-piece solution is due to the processing power. If you need something with high processing power in a small screen size, your options may be limited. However, if you separate the processor from the LCD touchscreen, you would be able to get your specific desired CPU and screen size.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both All-in-Ones and Industrial monitors are great options if you need a rugged computer. When deciding which solution to go with, it is important to have a clear idea of how the unit will be used in an industrial setting. All-in-Ones are ideal for flush mounting application, while Industrial monitors are great for mixing and matching size and CPU options.

Whatever your project may require, Teguar offers a wide selection of both All-in-One and industrial monitor solutions. If you need additional help figuring out which option is best for your application, contact a project manager today by calling (800) 870- or contacting us online.

About the Authors:

Emily Vrettos, Teguar's Digital Marketing Coordinator, merges her creativity with marketing skills to craft engaging content. When she isn&#;t writing, she loves to read, cook lots of different cuisines, and travel home to her family in New England.

Are you interested in learning more about industrial touchscreen pc? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!