Are you looking for an Industrial PC for your factory or automation system? Don’t worry! This article will help you clearly understand what an IPC is, how it differs from regular computers, and 5 important criteria to help you choose the right IPC for your needs!
What is an Industrial PC?
Simply put, an Industrial PC (IPC) is a computer that’s specially built to work in harsh industrial environments – where there’s dust, vibration, high temperature or humidity. It’s used to collect data, control machinery, and keep your systems running smoothly 24/7.
So how is an IPC different from a regular PC?
- More rugged: Durable metal casing, resistant to shock, dust, and moisture.
- More durable: Designed to operate 24/7 for many years without breaking down.
- Fanless cooling: Many IPCs don’t use fans, reducing dust buildup and mechanical failure.
- Flexible connectivity: There are all kinds of ports suitable for industrial equipment (sensors, cameras, PLCs, etc.).
Top 5 Criteria to Choose the Right Industrial PC
Choosing a good IPC is not only about choosing a strong configuration, but also about being suitable for the environment and usage needs. Here are 5 factors you need to consider:
1. Suitability for the Operating Environment
Every factory or production line has its own conditions. For example:
- Dusty or oily environments → choose a fanless IPC with IP65 or higher protection.
- Extreme heat or cold → look for IPCs that support a wide temperature range, like -20°C to 70°C.
- Vibrations and shocks (on vehicles or robots) → choose models with MIL-STD certification for durability.
👉 Tip: Always ask the supplier about the protection standards of the machine before buying!
2. Size and design (Form Factor)
The IPC installation space is very important. Depending on where you want to install your IPC, you can choose:
- Box PC: Compact box shape, easy to install in an electrical cabinet.
- Panel PC: Has a touch screen, mounted on the wall or machine.
- Rackmount PC: Mounted on the rack cabinet in the control room.
👉 Real sharing: Choosing the wrong form factor can cost you time and money to rework enclosures or panels.
3. Configuration suitable for needs
It’s not always about “the more powerful, the better.” Instead, think about what tasks your IPC needs to handle:
| Application | Suggested Specs |
| Basic data collection | CPU: Atom/Celeron, RAM: 4GB |
| SCADA or HMI operation | CPU: Core i5, RAM: 8GB |
| AI, image processing | CPU: Core i7/i9, GPU, RAM: 16GB+ |
👉 Small suggestion: Always prioritize industrial SSD hard drives and high-durability RAM to ensure long-term stability.
4. Connection ports and expansion capabilities
Industrial computers must “talk” to many other devices, so having many connection ports is extremely important.
Check if the IPC has the following ports:
- COM RS-232/485: Communicate with legacy machines or PLCs.
- Dual LAN ports: For redundancy or network separation.
- USB, HDMI, GPIO: For peripherals and I/O.
- PCI/PCIe slots: Expand with additional cards or modules.
👉 Reminder: The more I/O options and expansion slots you have, the easier it is to upgrade later.
5. Reliability & Certifications
Industrial PCs must run nonstop, often in harsh conditions. So, you need to choose reputable products that have passed quality testing. Prioritize IPCs with certificates such as:
- CE, FCC: electronic safety.
- RoHS: does not contain toxic substances.
- ISO 9001, ISO 14001: global quality and environmental standards.
- UL, MIL-STD-810G: high durability, good vibration resistance.
👉 Choose IPCs from reputable brands for peace of mind in long-term use.
Conclusion: Choosing the right industrial PC helps your system run more smoothly
IPC is not just a computer – it is the “brain” that controls the production line. Choosing the right IPC will help you:
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Improve production efficiency
- Easily expand the system in the future
📞 Still not sure where to start? Don’t worry!
SNETEL’s technical team is here to help – from selecting configurations to installation and full system support.
👉 Contact us today for free consultation and a quick quote!
