Industrial PC or Mini PC?

A Mini PC refers to a small-sized computer design. An industrial PC, on the other hand, is defined by its operating environment, reliability and intended use. A Mini PC can therefore be used in an industrial application, but being small does not by itself make it suitable for industrial use.

Standard Mini PCs can be used in office, kiosk and general-purpose computing applications. Industrial Mini PCs, in suitable models, can offer features such as a wide operating temperature range, special mounting options, industrial connections and long-term product support.

What to check when comparing:

• Operating temperature stated by the manufacturer
• Vibration and environmental resistance
• Power input characteristics
• COM ports, Ethernet and other required connections
• Continuous operation requirement
• Operating system support and product life cycle

In a simple, controlled environment, a standard Mini PC may be sufficient. If it will be used on a production line or in harsh environmental conditions, an industrial model whose relevant technical specifications have been verified should be preferred.