Box computers are different from regular office use personal computers as they are used in highly rugged industrial environments that require highly reliable operations in high temperature and unstable environments. However, office systems are developed to work in cleaner, cooler and stable environments. box computers are also required to be installed in remote locations with low power requirements and need to be integrated with other instruments for use. These PCs although are made of single board computer, they are often designed with multiple SBCs to cater to the application-specific environment and offer high level of flexibility and integration unlike personal computers. Since these are often designed for low power operation, they are usually fanless but can withstand high temperatures and offer more stability than office or personal computers that are designed for lower temperatures and come with fans for processor cooling. Since box computers are designed with SBCs, they offer high computing speeds with many I/O control interfaces that are normally available in personal systems.
Box computers also have longer shelf life compared to personal computers and are usually designed for low cost, low power and a specific market segment in a shorter time. These PCs are also different in that they are mounted on strong chassis for stability from shock and unlike personal computers, these PCs are designed to be highly integrated with other industrial or gaming equipment with high computing speeds that the industry can offer while being operated efficiently in dusty and electromagnetic fields with proper shielding.
