What is an Industrial Fanless PC?

An industrial fanless PC is a robust computing solution designed for harsh environments while delivering high reliability and silent operation. Unlike traditional computers with cooling fans, fanless PCs rely on passive cooling using heat sinks and rugged aluminum chassis.

They are built to resist dust, vibrations, and temperature extremes, making them ideal for industrial automation, transportation, and outdoor installations. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain what a fanless industrial PC is, its advantages, key applications, and the essential criteria for choosing the right system. We will also provide examples from our industrial PC range to help you make an informed decision.

An industrial fanless PC and a PC intended for the general public do not meet the same needs. Here are the main differences:

Robustness and design

• Industrial fanless PC: reinforced chassis, passive heat dissipation, resistant to dust, vibrations and extreme temperatures.
• Consumer PC: designed for home or office use, not well suited to harsh environments.

Cooling

• Fanless PC: no fan, passive cooling via heat sink.
• Conventional PC: internal fans, sensitive to dust and requiring regular maintenance.

Lifespan and maintenance

• Industrial PC: optimised for 24/7 operation, longer lifespan, low maintenance.
• Consumer PC: limited lifespan, not designed for continuous operation.

Connectivity and compatibility

• Industrial PC: COM ports, GPIO, numerous industrial interfaces.
• Consumer PC: standard ports (USB, HDMI), few industrial options.

Price and use

• Industrial PC: more expensive, specific professional use.
• Consumer PC: more affordable, home use, gaming, office automation.

Silent operation

No fans = no noise, ideal for noise-sensitive environments.

Improved reliability

No moving parts means fewer failures and longer lifespan.

Energy efficiency

Low-power design reduces energy consumption.

Harsh environment resistance

Some models operate between -20°C to +70°C (in vibrating, confined or humid environments). Standard: 12 to 24 VDC.

These computers are used in many sectors:

• Industrial automation (production lines, machine control).
• Kiosks and HMI systems.
• Vehicle-mounted control systems.
• Digital signage and outdoor displays.
• Wireless stations and IoT edge devices.

Operating system

Windows (10, 11), Linux, or Android depending on your application.

Processor

• Intel Celeron for basic tasks.
• Intel Core i5/i7/i9 for demanding industrial applications.
• ARM processors for IoT.

RAM

4 GB minimum, 8 GB standard, 16 GB for high-performance tasks.

Storage

Choose industrial SSDs (SATA, M.2, NVMe) for durability and speed.

Connectivity

• USB 3.0 ports.
• Serial COM ports (RS232/RS485).
• HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for multiple screens.

Power supply

Wide input voltage support (e.g., 9 to 36 VDC, 12 to 24 VDC).

Certifications

Check the standards: IP65, IP69, etc. for water/dust resistance, CE, FCC, ISO 7637-2 for automotive, EN 50155 for railways, EN 60601-1 for medical devices, etc.

• Fanless Industrial PC XFB-232208D1: compact, ideal for automation.
• Marine Transport PC XTB-254606D1: designed for maritime environments.

1. Can a PC run without a fan?
Yes, with passive cooling technology.

2. Why choose a fanless PC?
For silence, durability, and dust resistance.

3. How long does a fanless PC last?
Typically 8 to 10 years in industrial use.

4. Can it be used outdoors?
Yes, if IP-rated for weather protection.

5. Which operating systems are supported?
Windows, Linux, Android.