In rapidly advancing industrial environments, choosing the right Industrial Panel PC (IPC) is critical for improving productivity, ensuring reliable operations, and meeting the specific demands of your industry. Whether you’re operating in manufacturing, automation, healthcare, logistics, or any other sector, the right IPC serves as the backbone of your operations—bringing together control, monitoring, and data processing in a rugged and compact form.
But with the growing range of products on the market, how do you know which one is right for your application?
In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down the key factors to consider when selecting an industrial panel PC—and why leading technology partners like YENTEK are driving innovation in this space.
What Is an Industrial Panel PC?
An Industrial Panel PC is a rugged computing device that integrates a display and a computer into one unit, designed to operate in harsh or demanding environments. Unlike traditional desktop PCs, industrial panel PCs are built to withstand vibration, dust, moisture, extreme temperatures, and more. They are commonly mounted on machines, walls, or control panels, making them ideal for real-time monitoring, HMI (Human-Machine Interface), and automation tasks.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Industrial Panel PC
1. Environment & Durability
The first consideration is the environment where the IPC will be used. Are you installing it in a cleanroom, a dusty factory, or an outdoor setting?
Look for features such as:
IP65/IP66 ratings for water and dust protection
Fanless design to reduce maintenance
Wide operating temperature range (e.g., -20°C to +60°C)
Shock and vibration resistance
YENTEK offers a broad portfolio of panel PCs engineered to meet these harsh environment demands, incorporating military-grade protection and industrial-grade components.
2. Touchscreen Type
Depending on the usage scenario, you’ll want to select the right type of touchscreen:
Resistive touchscreens work well with gloves and are ideal for industrial settings.
Capacitive touchscreens offer multi-touch capabilities and are better suited for applications requiring high precision and smooth user interaction.
YENTEK’s customizable panel PCs support both types, giving you flexibility depending on the operational needs.
3. Display Size & Resolution
Screen sizes range from compact 7-inch models to large 21.5-inch full-HD displays. Factors to consider:
How much data or visual feedback needs to be displayed?
Will operators interact directly with the screen?
Is space a constraint?
YENTEK provides various display options with high brightness and wide viewing angles—perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
4. Performance & Expandability
Industrial PCs need enough power to handle control systems, real-time monitoring, and data processing. Look for:
Processor type: Intel® Celeron, Core i3/i5/i7, or ARM-based processors
RAM & storage: Expandable memory and SSD options
I/O ports: Serial (RS232/485), USB, Ethernet, GPIO, etc.
Expansion slots: For additional cards or interfaces
YENTEK ensures its systems are future-proof, with modular designs that allow easy upgrades and customization based on project-specific needs.
5. Operating System & Software Compatibility
Choose a system that supports your preferred OS:
Windows 10/11 IoT