Introduction
Industrial computers are the backbone of modern automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and edge computing. These rugged systems are designed to withstand harsh environments while delivering reliable performance for critical applications. However, with so many form factors available, choosing the right size for your industrial computer can be a daunting task. This blog will guide you through the key industrial computer sizes, their use cases, and how to select the best form factor for your specific needs.
Key Industrial Computer Form Factors and Their Use Cases
Industrial Mini PCs
Size Range:
- Width: 100mm – 180mm
- Depth: 100mm – 150mm
- Height: 40mm – 70mm
Use Cases:
Fanless mini PCs are ideal for space-constrained environments where silent operation and reliability are critical, such as digital signage, kiosks, and IoT edge nodes.
Key Features:
- Completely fanless design for zero noise and maximum reliability
- Ultra-compact dimensions for tight spaces
- Low-power processors for energy efficiency
- Wide temperature operation
- VESA mount and DIN rail mounting options
Representative Premio Products:
- RCO-1000 Series: Ultra-compact fanless industrial computers with rugged reliability and expansion options.
- DCO-1000 Series: DIN-Rail fanless IoT Gateway designed for access control cabinets.
Small Form Factor (SFF) PCs
Size Range:
- Width: 180mm – 250mm
- Depth: 100mm – 240mm
- Height: 40mm – 70mm
Use Cases:
Small form factor industrial PCs are perfect for space-constrained environments such as kiosks, digital signage, and IoT gateways. Their compact size and lightweight design make them easy to deploy in tight spaces.
Key Features:
- Low-power processors for energy efficiency
- Fanless design for silent operation and improved reliability
- Basic I/O connectivity for essential peripherals
- Wall-mount or DIN rail mounting options for flexible installation
Representative Premio Products:
- RCO-3000 Series: Small form factor fanless industrial PC designed for rugged reliability.
- JCO-3000 Series: Mid-Range AI Edge Computer with NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/ Nano Super module.
Embedded Box PCs without PCIe Expansion Modules
Size Range:
- Width: 180mm – 350mm
- Depth: Typically under 300mm
- Height: 80mm to 150mm
Use Cases:
These systems are commonly used in industrial automation, machine vision, and IoT edge computing. They offer moderate expandability while maintaining a relatively compact footprint.
Key Features:
Representative Premio Products:
- JCO-6000-ORN Series: A high-performance AI Edge industrial box PC with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin Module and dual EDGEBoost I/O modules.
- RCO-6000-RPL Series: A high-performance rugged edge PC with 2x EDGEBoost I/O expansion bays.
Embedded Box PCs with PCIe Expansion Modules
Size Range:
- Width: 300mm – 450mm
- Depth: 200mm – 300mm
- Height: Typically > 120mm
Use Cases:
These systems are optimized for AI inferencing and training, video streaming, and robotics. Their larger size accommodates PCIe expansion and GPU cooling.
Key Features:
- PCIe expansion for GPUs and storage
- Industrial-grade ruggedness for demanding environments
- Enhanced cooling solutions for high-performance computing
Representative Premio Products:
- RCO-6000 Series + EDGEBoost Nodes: A rugged AI Edge Inference computer with PCIe expansion to empower GPU, network card, or more storage.
- VCO-6000-RPL Series: A machine vision computer designed for dual GPUs for advanced imaging applications.
Rackmount Industrial PCs
Size Range:
- Height: 1U (44mm) to 4U (177mm)
- Width: 13” (330mm) to standard 19" (482mm) rack width
- Depth: 250mm – 600mm
Use Cases:
Rackmount industrial PCs are ideal for data-intensive applications, industrial control rooms, and factory automation. They offer high scalability and robust performance.
Key Features:
- Multiple PCIe slots for expansion
- Powerful CPUs for demanding workloads
- Dual FHFL GPU support for AI training
Representative Premio Products:
- KCO-3000-RPL: A high-performance rackmount PC for industrial control and automation.
Panel PCs & All-in-One Systems
Size Range:
- Display Size: 7” – 21”+
- Depth: Typically under 100mm
Use Cases:
Panel PCs are widely used in human-machine interfaces (HMI), kiosks, and industrial automation. Their integrated design combines computing power with a touchscreen display.
Key Features:
- IP-rated touchscreens for durability
- Rugged enclosures for harsh environments
- Fanless operation for reliability
Representative Premio Products:
- SIO Series Panel PCs: IP66/IP69K washdown touchscreen computer for industrial automation and pharmaceutical.
- AIO Series Panel PCs: All-in-one IP65 industrial touchscreen computer and monitor for space-efficient installations.
Key Differentiation Factors in Industrial Computer Sizes
Industrial computers vary in size based on their application requirements, environmental constraints, and performance capabilities. Here are the key factors that differentiate them:
- Physical Dimensions (Width, Depth, and Height): Determines whether the system fits within space-constrained enclosures, control panels, or racks.
- Expandability & PCIe Slots: Larger industrial PCs accommodate more PCIe slots for GPUs, accelerators, and additional I/O modules.
- Thermal Management: Fanless designs with passive cooling are optimized for compact, sealed environments, whereas larger systems may require active cooling for high-performance workloads.
- Power Consumption & Efficiency: Small-form-factor PCs are designed for low-power IoT applications, while GPU-powered systems demand higher wattage for AI and machine learning tasks.
- Mounting Options: Wall-mount, DIN-rail, or rackmount configurations affect the PC’s deployment flexibility in different industrial settings.
- Environmental Ruggedness: Wide-temperature tolerance, shock & vibration resistance, and ingress protection (IP rating) dictate the durability of different form factors.
How to Choose the Right Industrial Computer Size for Your Needs
Selecting the right industrial computer size depends on a variety of operational and environmental factors:
Assess Space Constraints:
- If the deployment area is tight (e.g., kiosks, digital signage, control cabinet), opt for small-form-factor or mini industrial PCs.
- For confined industrial enclosures, embedded box PCs with compact depth are ideal.
Determine Performance Requirements:
- AI, machine learning, and graphics-heavy applications require GPU-supported embedded PCs with sufficient expansion depth.
- General automation, edge processing, and IoT applications can rely on non-GPU embedded PCs with fanless efficiency.
Consider Thermal & Environmental Factors:
- Harsh environments with dust, vibration, or extreme temperatures require fanless, wide-temp, and ruggedized PCs.
- Controlled environments (e.g., server rooms, data centers) allow for rackmount IPCs with active cooling.
Connectivity & Expansion Needs:
- Applications that rely on multiple peripherals (e.g., barcode scanners, cameras) require sufficient USB, COM, and LAN ports.
- Edge AI and automation workloads may require PCIe slots for accelerators and additional storage capacity.
Deployment & Mounting Requirements:
- Panel PCs are best for HMI applications with integrated touchscreens.
- Rackmount PCs are suited for high-performance computing in centralized industrial operations.
- Wall-mount and DIN-rail embedded PCs provide secure, space-efficient installation for industrial automation.
Conclusion
Choosing the right industrial PC size is essential for ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and integration into your specific environment. From ultra-compact mini PCs for IoT applications to GPU-powered edge computers for AI inferencing and training, each form factor offers distinct advantages. By considering factors such as space constraints, thermal management, ruggedness, and expandability, businesses can select a system that meets their industrial computing needs.
Premio offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial-grade computing solutions, designed for durability, performance, and scalability. Contact us to explore the best-fit industrial PC for your application.