4 Differences Between a Commercial and an Industrial PC

Overview

Selecting the appropriate hardware for your business can be challenging, particularly in fields such as digital signage and self-service. This guide aims to clarify the distinctions between commercial and industrial PCs, assisting you in determining the best option for your requirements.

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Comparing Commercial PCs and Industrial PCs

Although both types of computers share commonalities in data processing, operations, and hardware elements like motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage, and I/O ports, they are tailored for different applications and market segments.

What is a commercial PC?

Commercial PCs are designed for individual use within controlled environments, such as homes or offices.

What is an industrial PC?

Industrial PCs are engineered for tough industrial and manufacturing conditions, including outdoor kiosks, digital signage, AGV forklifts, and military equipment.

4 Key Characteristics of Commercial and Industrial PCs

Operational Environment

• Commercial PC: Ideal for indoor settings, where temperature stability and good air quality exist. They incorporate built-in fans to cool the system by drawing air from the surroundings.
• Industrial PC: Constructed to be robust and resilient, capable of withstanding extreme environmental conditions. These units are typically fanless or designed without internal vents to remain dust-free.

Advantage of an industrial PC: Capable of functioning in a wider temperature range, these machines can be used outdoors in cold or hot climates without the risk of overheating or failure. Their fanless construction prevents contamination by debris from industrial environments.
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Lifespan

• Commercial PC: Typically designed for a lifespan of 2-5 years before needing replacement.
• Industrial PC: Intended to last for 7-10 years, with options available for maintenance and repairs.

Advantage of an industrial PC: These systems can operate significantly longer than commercial counterparts, resulting in lower long-term ownership costs.

Check our ACS10-TGU Industrial PC Product Sheet

Customization

• Commercial PC: Offers limited options for customization and I/O ports, making them less suitable for connecting multiple components and tools.
• Industrial PC: Highly customizable, featuring extensive I/O options to connect and run various hardware components effectively.

Advantage of an industrial PC: They can support a vast array of hardware components and can be tailored to fit specific software and firmware needs.

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Total Cost of Ownership

• Commercial PC: While they have a lower initial cost, using them in inappropriate environments often leads to high repair expenses and increased downtime, resulting in a higher total cost of ownership.
• Industrial PC: Although they carry a higher initial cost due to their robust design, they typically require fewer repairs and less maintenance throughout their lifecycle.

Advantage of an industrial PC: Reliable operations minimize revenue loss from downtime and ensure seamless compatibility with original machines.
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About Us

Eurocoin has cultivated extensive expertise as a procurement and supply chain specialist, sourcing technical products and components from leading manufacturers worldwide. We assemble, configure, warehouse, and provide parts and solutions from our European base, enabling competitive pricing and efficient distribution—excellent news for our expanding European clientele.

Our offerings include a comprehensive range of TFT displays and touch-screens, currency validation solutions, ticketing systems, and essential after-sales products to support our markets.

If you're interested in more information about fanless industrial touchscreen PC, contact us today for expert consultation!

Our clientele primarily includes manufacturers and operators of payment terminals, kiosks, public-access terminals, retail and ticketing solutions, amusement machines, and the latest smart devices across various industrial sectors.

Industrial PCs are essential components on the manufacturing floor; why risk expensive downtime with a non-industrial solution?

Industrial PCs undertake diverse functions ranging from running powerful automation software to managing intricate processes and applications, such as logistics systems, data acquisition, image processing, and networking—with speed, efficiency, and reliability.

While industrial PCs and commercial PCs share common functions for receiving, storing, and processing information, they differ significantly in ruggedness, reliability, performance, compatibility, expandability, and long-term availability.

Mechanical Stability & Ruggedness

Industrial PCs are specifically designed to thrive in harsh, aggressive, and dirty settings. They can endure several challenging factors:

• Shock and Vibration: Prolonged exposure to strong vibrations can affect commercial PCs. Industrial PCs maintain performance even under continuous vibration, with models capable of withstanding high shocks and vibrations.
• High Temperatures: Excessive heat can hamper performance and reduce hardware longevity. Commercial PCs operate optimally in a temperature range of around 30-35°C, whereas industrial PCs can function comfortably at temperatures up to 55°C.
• Dirt and Humidity: Commercial PCs rely on cooling fans for temperature regulation and preventing dust intrusion, whereas industrial PCs integrate specialized filters to ensure clean airflow while directing internal cooling.
• IP Rating: Industrial PCs have specific IP protections, offering resistance against contaminants, while commercial PCs generally lack this feature. Quality industrial PCs provide standard IP65 protection for dust and moisture resistance.
• Electromagnetic Interference: EMI is common in industries featuring large machinery. Industrial PC designs ensure robust isolation and voltage stabilization to mitigate degradation of components over time.

Performance & Reliability

Industrial PCs enable efficient operations through powerful automation software, controlling complex applications and electrical systems with high reliability and performance. Choosing technology and equipment designed for severe environments can significantly enhance operational efficiency.

Continuous and reliable performance is pivotal to avoid costly downtime, supported by the rugged build of industrial PCs and high-grade power supplies, which foster uninterrupted operations.

Expandability & Long-Term Availability

The ease and cost associated with repairs or replacements over the PC's lifespan are crucial factors. Industrial PCs offer greater expandability compared to commercial PCs, adapting to evolving innovations and adequately supporting legacy applications for several years, even after commercial components become obsolete.

Cost of Ownership

Cost considerations should include more than just the initial investment. Although industrial PCs may demand a higher upfront cost, they present substantially lower total ownership costs when juxtaposed against the repair cycles and replacement expenses associated with commercial PCs that are ill-suited to endure demanding industrial environments.

High-End Design & High-End Performance

We have collaborated with Beckhoff to curate a selection of bundled PC solutions, simplifying your choice of an industrial PC option.

The Multi-Touch Panel PCs are designed for installation in the front of control cabinets (CP22xx) or on mounting arms (CP32xx), while the Control Cabinet PCs are optimized for space-saving cabinet installations. Display options include both Aluminium and Stainless Steel.

Contact our friendly Customer Service Team at 94 15 32 or [ protected] to learn more, or for a quote.

Get in touch with us to discuss your needs with an industrial LCD monitor manufacturer. Our knowledgeable sales team is ready to help you find the best options for your requirements.