Most people picture an EPOS system as a single touch screen unit on the counter. But many retailers, hospitality groups and self-service projects use a box PC POS instead: a compact computer that sits under the counter or behind a screen and drives your choice of monitors and peripherals.
What is a box PC POS system?
A POS box PC is a small, usually fanless computer designed for point of sale. It has the processor, memory and storage of a till, but no built-in screen. You connect it to one or more touch screen monitors, a receipt printer, cash drawer and scanner.
When a box PC POS makes sense
- Custom counters and kiosks: hide the computer and use the screen size you want.
- Dual-screen setups: drive an operator screen and a customer display from one PC.
- Digital signage and menu boards: power a display wall or menu board from the back office.
- Easy upgrades: replace the PC without replacing the screens, or vice versa.
- Harsh environments: fanless designs avoid pulling in dust and grease.
When an all-in-one EPOS is better
An all-in-one EPOS terminal is quicker to install, takes less counter space and has fewer cables. For a standard till point in a shop, café or bar, an all-in-one such as the HiStone HK568 or HK960U is usually the simplest choice.
HiStone HK600 and HK600U box POS systems
The HiStone box EPOS range uses the Intel Celeron J6412 processor and supports Windows 10, Windows 11 and Linux:
- HiStone HK600 – compact fanless POS box PC for tills, kiosks and back-office use.
- HiStone HK600U – a compact box POS PC that gives you full POS performance without taking up counter space.
Both suit EPOS resellers and software houses who want one standard PC across tills, kiosks and signage.
Box PC POS vs all-in-one: quick comparison
- Space: all-in-one wins on the counter; box PC wins when you can hide the PC.
- Flexibility: box PC wins, as you choose the screen size and number of displays.
- Installation: all-in-one is faster, with one unit and fewer cables.
- Upgrades: box PC is easier to upgrade or swap without touching the screens.
Pair your box PC with HiStone touch screen monitors
For a complete system, add a HiStone MD15VH 15-inch touch monitor or the MD24VH 24-inch 10-point touch monitor.
Box PC POS FAQs
What is a box PC POS used for?
A box PC POS powers tills, self-service kiosks, digital menu boards and back-office systems where you want to choose your own screens or hide the computer out of sight.
Is a fanless box PC POS better?
Fanless designs like the HiStone HK600 have no fan to pull in dust, grease or crumbs, so they are well suited to shops, kitchens and kiosks, and they run silently.
Can a box PC POS run Linux?
Yes. The HiStone HK600 and HK600U box PC POS systems support Windows 10, Windows 11 and Linux.
Can I use a box PC POS with two screens?
Yes. A box PC POS can drive an operator touch screen and a customer display, or a till screen and a digital menu board, depending on the ports and your software.
Get trade pricing
B-Spoke Systems has supplied EPOS hardware since 2003 and can image, configure and test every box PC before dispatch. Browse the full EPOS hardware range or ask our team for a quotation.