Look up “industrial touch screen PC UK” and you’ll find a page full of panel PCs from OnLogic, DSL, BVM, Nemacom and a long tail of Amazon sellers, many quoting IP65 ratings, fanless designs and RS232 ports. Look up “touch screen PC for business” and you get HP, Lenovo and Elo.
So which do you actually need? Here’s an honest guide.
What is an industrial panel PC?
An industrial panel PC is a touchscreen computer built to be mounted into something: a machine, a control cabinet, a factory wall or a kiosk. Typical features include:
- an IP65-rated front, so it can be hosed down or survive dust
- a fanless design with no moving parts to clog
- wide operating temperatures
- serial (RS232/RS485) ports and multiple LANs for machines and sensors
- panel, VESA or rack mounting rather than a desk stand.
They’re brilliant on a production line or in a food processing plant. They’re also overkill (and often expensive or awkward) for a reception desk or an office.
What is a business touch screen all-in-one PC?
A business all-in-one touch PC, like the Hibertek BF24, E24, T22 or T20, is designed to sit on a desk or a wall in a normal working environment. You get:
- desktop-class Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors up to 65W
- larger, sharper screens (19.5″ to 23.8″) with 10-point capacitive touch
- cameras, microphones and speakers for video calls
- office-friendly security such as smart card readers, chassis intrusion, camera privacy and Kensington locks
- desk stands plus VESA mounting
- standard Thin Mini-ITX boards that can be upgraded or repaired.
Side-by-side
| Industrial panel PC | Business touch AIO (Hibertek range) | |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Factories, outdoors, wash-down areas | Offices, receptions, schools, back offices |
| Sealing | Often IP65 front | Not sealed: indoor use |
| Performance | Often low-power or fanless CPUs | Desktop Core i3/i5/i7 up to 65W |
| Screen | Often smaller (7″ to 21″) | 19.5″ to 23.8″, Full HD on most models |
| Video calls | Rarely | Camera, mics and speakers options |
| Mounting | Panel or cabinet mount | Desk stands, VESA wall or arm |
| Price | Ranges widely, with quality brands often costing more | Competitive business pricing |
What about retail and hospitality counters?
There’s a third option people often forget: a commercial EPOS terminal. If your “touch screen PC” will sit on a shop counter, in a bar or near a kitchen, a sealed HiStone EPOS terminal such as the HK568 is designed for exactly that. It’s waterproof, dustproof and oil-resistant, with the serial ports and cash drawer connection retail software expects.
Our simple rule of thumb
- Bolted into a machine, wet, dusty or outdoors? Choose an industrial panel PC.
- On a counter taking payments? Choose a sealed EPOS terminal like the HiStone HK568.
- On a desk or wall in an office, school, reception or back office? Choose a Hibertek touch screen all-in-one PC.
Not sure? Ask us
B-Spoke Systems supplies business touch PCs, EPOS terminals and kiosks from UK stock in Leicester, with imaging, testing and UK warranty support. Tell us where the screen will live and what it needs to run, and we’ll tell you honestly which type fits.
Call 0116 260 3100 or email sales@b-spokesystems.com.