What should you pay attention to when choosing an industrial computer?

Industrial computers must be designed to operate in harsh environments—where conventional devices fail. Resistance to external factors, reliability, and adaptability to specific environments are just some of the aspects that must be considered.
The choice of the appropriate model should depend on the environment in which the computer will be used. – both in terms of humidity, temperature, dust levels, and potential chemical or mechanical hazards.
Industry Challenges industrial
Which computer should I choose for work in places with high dust, high humidity or exposure to salt and other aggressive substances? These are the questions being asked by representatives of industries such as meat, fish, shipbuilding, chemical, and pharmaceuticals. In such conditions, not only efficiency matters but also a robust design that can withstand the effects of harmful factors over time.
Industrial computers made of stainless steel
For particularly demanding sectors the best solution is computers with stainless steel casingThis type of coating provides high resistance to corrosion and chemical damage.
It is also possible to use additional sealing of I/O ports and cable entry, which provides even better protection against dust, moisture and directly water.
Thanks to its compatibility with accessories such as RFID/NFC and 2D readers, panels can be successfully used in control and registration systemsand orders or order processing – without losing resistance to external factors.
Additionally, A coating protecting the device against salt is available upon special request – important, for example, in cold stores or meat and fish processing. Computers work based on passive cooling (fanless), which translates into quiet and failure-free operation.
Computer version made of powder coated steel
The alternative is computers with a case made of powder coated steelThis is a robust solution that will perform well in dusty or high-humidity environments – although stainless steel may be a better choice for chemically aggressive conditions.
Also in this version there is an option additional sealing of ports and cable entryYou can also expand the functionality with accessories such as readers. RFID/NFC or 2D scanners. The housing can be painted any color — depending on project requirements and minimum production quantities.
Capacitive screen, or resistive?
One of the key choices is touch technology.
- Capacitive screen (PCAP) provides high responsiveness and fingertip comfort – ideal for clean, dry environments.
- Resistive screen works better in conditions where the user is wearing gloves or the surface may be wet.
The ability to choose the screen type allows you to precisely adapt the device to a specific position and tasks – increasing comfort and, above all, safety of use.
Accessories for industrial computers
Industrial panels can be equipped with additional components that enhance their functionality. The most commonly used include:
- RFID/NFC readers
- 2D code readers
- IP65/IP67 cable glands
- M12 connectors
- Voltage converter
- VESA mounts
Thanks to their modularity, the devices can be easily adapted to the specific needs of the job – regardless of the industry.
Where are they most often used? industrial computers?
- Access control systems working 24/7
- Production lines and assembly stations
- As industrial kiosks (e.g. with screens for interaction or data reading)
- In logistics and quality control
- In industry food and pharmaceuticalwhere resistance to cleaning and chemical agents is required
Trust solutions that work in all conditions
Choosing the right industrial computer isn't just a matter of technical parameters—it's a decision that impacts process reliability, data security, and the comfort of daily work. That's why it's crucial to match the hardware to the real-world conditions in which it will be used, and choose a solution that can easily handle even the most demanding tasks.
At Imago we design industrial computersthat combine durability with configuration flexibility, providing our customers with operational certainty – regardless of industry or work environment.