The Global Industrial PC Market size was valued at USD 5.31 Billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass USD 8.83 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.82% during the forecast period, 2023–2031. The growth of the market is attributed to the growing demand for industrial PC across various industries including electronics & semiconductors, automotive, aerospace& defense, transportation, digital security & surveillance, digital signage, communication, network infrastructure, gaming, medical devices, energy power, chemicals, oil & gas, food & beverages, retail automation, pharmaceuticals, and others.
An industrial PC is a specifically designed computer, generally used for industrial purposes. It is primarily intended for various applications such as controlling processes, machine control, data acquisition, and display of vital information in industrial operations and manufacture of goods and services. Industrial PCs involve storage, processing, and communication similarly as desktop PCs. Industrial PCs have an advanced technological system and design with hard shell construction and components.
An industrial PC (IPC) contains a space-saving Din rail unit that saves a lot of space and consumes less power as compared to consumer electronics. It offers high compatibility, reliability, and high performance, along with resistance to the harsh environmental elements such as water, fire, dust, shock, vibration, or debris, and a long service lifecycle. These PCs are generally costly, powerful, rugged, and energy efficient in nature. They have good uptime and can run continuous operations, whereas desktop PCs fail to do so.
Industrial PC manufacturers integrate PCs with the industrial internet of things (IoT) technology and artificial intelligence (AI), which leads to service automation and minimizes errors. This allows people to manage assets and procedures remotely with the help of industrial PCs, which offers tremendous opportunities for various industries including electronics & semiconductor, automotive, aerospace & defense, transportation, digital security & surveillance, digital signage, communication, network infrastructure, gaming, medical devices, energy power, chemicals, oil & gas, food & beverages, retail automation, pharmaceuticals, and others.
Over the years, IPCs have gained significant popularity across various end-user industries, as the adoption of these devices provides consistent and efficient performance without human intervention and with maximum resources and cost-effective solutions. These advanced and smart manufacturing solutions have aided various manufacturing plants in industrial operations to deliver high-quality products. The main types of industrial PCs available are panel IPC, box IPC, rack mount IPC, din rail IPC, embedded panel IPC, embedded box IPC, and thin client IPC.
Compact, ultra-small, thin, or fanless design PCs enable efficient industrial operations in offices, warehouses, and other settings. The global industrial PC market is anticipated to register significant growth, owing to the growing expansion of various manufacturing plants along with the rising adoption of smart energy solutions. Rising awareness about the benefits of using industrial PCs for efficient resource optimization in manufacturing companies is propelling the industrial PC market.
COVID-19 Impact
The global industrial PC market was affected negatively by the coronavirus outbreak initially. The imposition of lockdowns and curfews around the globe during the pandemic led to decline in export and imports. Manufacturing operations have been disturbed and various manufacturing companies were shut down across the globe. As a result, there was a considerable reduction in the manufacturing operations of companies. In the recovery phase, governments allowed the re-opening of certain manufacturing firms under strict safety and security measures to a limited capacity.
During the pandemic, IPCs were used in several manufacturing operations, owing to their ability of providing remote access using IoT, cloud computing, and 4G/5G connection technology. As a result, the production staff supervised safe production in real-time from the comfort of their homes and other remote settings. Technologies such as manufacturing execution systems (MES), plant asset management (PAM), machine learning, and big data are utilized for real-time production and to collect data for operational decisions.
Expanding digital twin connectivity and the use of artificial intelligence are encouraged to achieve operational excellence. The rapid adoption of such software application technologies is propelling the demand for industrial PCs across various industries such as energy and power, industrial automotive, oil & gas, and others. Big data analytics and machine learning are utilized to improve data-driven decisions.
Global Industrial PC Market Dynamics
The industrial PC market report presents a complete overview of market dynamics by focusing on the current market trends, existing drivers, growth opportunities, and emerging challenges that can shape the outcome or overall performance of the market during the forecast period, 2022 to 2030.

Major Trends: Rapid digitalization in various manufacturing sectors is a key trend
Rapid digitalization in various manufacturing companies is an emerging key trend. The wide adoption of IoT in various industrial operations is the key driver of the industrial PC market across the globe. Rapid digitalization surges the demand for smart energy solutions such as computerized numerical control (CNC) machines & panel PCs for high-end performance in the industrial process.
Key Drivers:
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Increasing demand for industrial PCs from diverse manufacturing companies drives the global industrial PC market
Increasing number of manufacturers, due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, is propelling the industrial PC market across the world. Manufacturing firms from different sectors are widely adopting IPCs, owing to their smart solutions and technologies. The surging adoption of the industrial internet of things by several manufacturing industries to maximize their resources and reduce costs without human intervention drives the global industrial PC market at a rapid pace. Through IoT, manufacturing units are able to connect a wide network of intelligent devices and automate them. This enables them to detect the defects in manufacturing plants and minimizes the chances of errors. In addition, IPCs increase productivity, uptime, and efficiency, resulting in high-quality end products. The integration of advanced technologies such as industrial internet of things, machine learning, AI, robotics, and big data offers tremendous opportunities for the rapid expansion of the global industrial PC market.
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The rising adoption of industrial automation and other advanced technologies boosts the global industrial PC market
The rising adoption of industrial automation and other advanced technologies such as the internet of things, robotics, and artificial intelligence across diverse manufacturing plants enhanced productivity with consistent and efficient performance of industries. Many industries are now increasingly using industrial PCs for planning, controlling and monitoring, and data acquisition of their manufacturing firms. These specifically designed panel PCs control machinery and processes by autonomous systems through the use of advanced technologies such as computer software, the internet of things, robotics, and others and they minimize the total cost of ownership. The growing requirements for improving the overall productivity, increasing awareness about IPCs in resource optimization in manufacturing firms, technological advancements in industrial PCs, and the growing popularity of industrial 3D printing across developed and developing regions are expected to increase the demand for industrial PCs in the coming years.
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Extensive research and development in the industrial PC industry aid the market expansion
Increasing investment in extensive research and development along with in-depth analysis of the current and future development of the industrial PC market offers tremendous opportunities for market expansion. Favorable government stringent regulations to ensure safety and security policies for manufacturing plants encouraged several international key players to enter the global industrial PC market, which led to the expansion of the global market at a rapid pace. Recent innovations, including 3D printing display technology, increased the demand for industrial PCs in the global market.
Existing Challenges
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High cost of initial installation limits the growth of the industrial PC market
Despite the growth prospects in the industrial PC market, certain challenges limit the market growth. Industrial PCs increase efficiency with real-time planning, monitoring, and controlling of manufacturing operations. However, the cost of installing such PCs requires a huge investment, which is not affordable for startups and SMEs. In addition, industrial PCs should be tough enough to fit in harsh environments and necessitate high-quality raw materials, which are costly. Additionally, the cost of training for the operation of industrial PCs and maintenance & repair costs are high. These factors limit the growth of the market.
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Security limitations hamper the market growth
Industrial PCs are vulnerable to cyber attacks and entail security risks. Industrial PC networks are interconnected with various communication protocols and are susceptible to cyber threats as well as denial-of-service attacks. An attacker can control the whole network system and destroy data. The attacker can cause malfunctioning of the system and steal private data from industrial PCs. This disrupts the operational system and causes equipment damage. The potential consequences of cybersecurity and data privacy concerns hamper the growth of the global industrial PC market.
Emerging Opportunities
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Rising adoption of smart energy solutions is creating opportunities for the market expansion
The rapid expansion of digitalization in diverse manufacturing firms led to high adoption and demand for smart manufacturing solutions and technologies. In addition, the focus on sustainable energy-efficient sources, such as renewable energy, has increased significantly to deliver cost-effective and efficient energy distribution to meet the global demand. Smart energy solutions combine the use of IoT energy management devices and renewable energy sources in multiple domains, hence reducing the consumption of energy and optimizing operations. Several manufacturing companies are increasingly investing in smart energy solutions to fulfill the rising demand for industrial PCs, as IPCs consume less power by operating on renewable power sources such as solar power or wind energy, or on batteries such as nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride. Industrial PCs help operators to analyze data and control manufacturing operations. As a result, several companies are deploying industrial PCs to meet the growing demand for smart manufacturing solutions, which led to increased demand for smart energy solutions such as computerized numerical control (CNC) machines and panel PCs. These factors contribute to the growth of the global industrial PC market.
Scope of the Global Industrial PC Market Report
The report on the global industrial PC market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes
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Details
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Report Title
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Industrial PC Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast
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Base Year
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2022
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Historic Data
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2016–2021
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Forecast Period
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2023–2031
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Segmentation
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Types (Panel IPC, Box IPC, Rack Mount IPC, Din Rail IPC, Embedded Panel IPC, Embedded Box IPC, and Thin Client IPC), Technologies (Resistive, Capacitive, and Others), Applications (discrete industries Electronics& Semiconductor, Automotive, Aerospace& Defense, Transportation, Digital Security & Surveillance, Digital Signage, Communication, Network Infrastructure, Gaming, Medical Devices, and process industries Energy power, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverages, Retail Automation, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), and Distribution Channels (Direct sales and Indirect sales)
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Regional Scope
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Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and The Middle East & Africa
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Report Coverage
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Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends, and Revenue Forecast
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Key Players Covered in the Report
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Advantech; Siemens; Beckhoff Automation; AAEON; NEXCOM International; Diamond Flower Inc.; Rockwell Automation, Inc.; American Port well Technology; IEI Integration Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; B&R Industrial Automation GmbH; Kontron S&T; Onlogic; Avalue Technology; and others
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Global Industrial PC Market Segment Insights
DIN rail IPCs segment accounted for a large market share
Based on types, the global industrial PC market is segmented into panel IPC, box IPC, rack mount IPC, din rail IPC, embedded panel IPC, embedded box IPC, and thin client IPC.
The din rail IPC segment accounted for major market revenue in 2021 and is projected to dominate the global IPCs market during the forecast period, owing to its high-performing computing solutions. DIN rail IPCs are designed as compact flexible display options with numerous I/O modules. They offer various advantages such as space-saving advantages inside industrial control cabinets, easy installation, and resistance to shock and vibration. The RCO-1000, a DIN rail mountable equipped with the Intel Celeron J1900 processor, is 5.91’ X 4.13’’ X 1.46’’ in size, making it small enough to fit in the palm of the hand.
In addition, these IPCs provide high-performing computing solutions that can be tailored to the complications of manufacturing control and operations. Din rail IPCs are widely adopted in various industries including medical, military, industrial, and traffic and transportation sectors. They are often utilized as communication and visualization gateways to monitor operations, vehicle tracking and management, agriculture monitoring, and for other applications. The increasing popularity and demand for din rail IPCs is attributed to the growing demand for connected factory and business networks from manufacturing plants.
The capacitive segment holds a significant market share
On the basis of technologies, the global industrial PC market is categorized as resistive, capacitive, and others.
The capacitive segment is anticipated to hold a significant market share during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for capacitive touchscreen technology-based industrial PCs in the industrial sector. Capacitive-based IPCs offer various advantages and work with ‘multi-touch’ with a fast response time. As compared with resistive-based industrial PCs, capacitive touchscreen projected panel PCs are more accurate and have increased screen clarity. These PCs lead to high productivity, as they are fast, responsive, and lead to easy movement between programs.
They are specifically designed for industrial purposes with a built-in version and there are no requirements for periodic adjustments. As a result, operators can supervise automated tasks while wearing gloves. Maple systems, a US-based company, developed a capacitive touch screen industrial PC that provides various tools and high flexibility to enhance the look and generate great user experiences.
The discrete industries segment is expected to expand considerably in the forecast period
In terms of applications, the global industrial PC market is bifurcated into the process and discrete industries.
The process industries segment is segmented into power, chemicals, oil & gas, food & beverages, retail automation, and pharmaceuticals while the discrete industries segment is subdivided as electronics & semiconductor, automotive, aerospace & defense, transportation, digital security & surveillance, digital signage, communication, network infrastructure, gaming, medical devices, and others. The discrete industries segment is expected to grow rapidly, owing to the increased use of advanced technologies in discrete industries.
The rising demand for high process flexibility and improved efficiency, widespread integration of quality & regulatory requirements, optimal supply, and a growing need to minimize maintenance & operational costs are expected to drive the adoption of industrial PCs in diverse manufacturing firms. In addition, the rapid expansion of industrial automation across developed and developing areas boosts the global industrial PC market.
Direct sales segment is expected to expand at a considerable growth rate
Based on distributional channels, the global industrial PC market is divided into direct sales and indirect sales channels.
The direct sales channel segment is expected to account for major market revenue in the coming years, owing to the various advantages of selling industrial PCs through direct sales channels. By directly selling industrial PCs to manufacturing industries, firms can reduce their inventory costs and associated risks, meet their application-specific needs, and minimize the retail markup. As a result, the direct sales channel segment is estimated to expand at a considerable growth rate during the forecast period, 2022-2030.
The market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a considerable CAGR
In terms of regions, the global industrial PC market is segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa.
Asia Pacific is leading the global IPC market in 2021 and the market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a considerable CAGR in the coming years, owing to the increasing adoption of industrial PCs in the region. The rapid industrialization and increasing investment in health care services, power, and energy sectors offer lucrative opportunities for several international companies in countries across the region, which led to the expansion of the IPC market in Asia Pacific.
Favorable government regulations and encouragement for investment in research and development propels the industrial PC market in the region. Several manufacturing industries are increasingly adopting modern technologies such as IoT, machine learning, and other smart energy solutions to maximize their productivity with automated service access. All these aforementioned factors increase the demand for industrial PCs, resulting in the rapid expansion of the market in the region.
Latest Developments
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In 2021, Advantech entered into a partnership with Lynx Software, a California-based company, offer mission-critical edge starter kit options to numerous software companies to allow the conjunction of IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology). Advantech hardware devices work on Level 1 operational hierarchy for direct control and Level 2 supervisory control, and include MIC-770 modular industrial PC along with UNO-137 embedded automation computer.
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In May 2021, Panasonic released the TOUGHBOOK S1 rugged tablet, a 7-inch screen device, which is easy to use and adaptable to various applications. It has a Qualcomm SDM660 Octa-Core CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage, as well as an IP65/67 dust and water resistance rating and MIL-STD-810H certification, and has drop-tested up to 150cm onto concrete.
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In August 2021, AAEON launched the RTC-710RK, which is a 7-inch tablet with improved performance, a long-lasting battery, a bright screen, and more flexible settings than prior models. The RTC-710RK is designed for a wide range of applications that require rugged mobile computing.
Segments
The global industrial PC market has been segmented on the basis of
Types
- Panel IPC
- Box IPC
- Rack Mount IPC
- Din Rail IPC
- Embedded Panel IPC
- Embedded Box IPC
- Thin Client IPC
Technologies
- Resistive
- Capacitive
- Otherrs
Applications
- Discrete industries
- Electronics & Semiconductor
- Automotive
- Aerospace& Defense
- Transportation
- Digital Security & Surveillance
- Digital Signage
- Communication
- Network Infrastructure
- Gaming
- Medical Devices
- Process industries
- Energy& power
- Chemicals
- Oil & Gas
- Food & Beverages
- Retail Automation
- Pharmaceuticals
- Others
Distribution Channels
- Direct sales
- Indirect sales
Regions
- The Asia Pacific
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- The Middle East & Africa
Key Players
- ADVANTECH
- SIEMENS
- Beckhoff Automation
- AAEON
- NEXCOM International
- Diamond Flower Inc.
- Rockwell Automation, Inc.
- American Port well Technology
- IEI Integration Corporation
- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
- B&R Industrial Automation GmbH
- Kontron S&T
- Onlogic
- Avalue Technology
Competitive Landscape
Key players competing in the global industrial PC market are Advantech; Siemens; Beckhoff Automation; AAEON; NEXCOM International; Diamond Flower Inc.; Rockwell Automation, Inc.; American Port well Technology; IEI Integration Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; B&R Industrial Automation GmbH; Kontron S&T; Onlogic; Avalue Technology; and others.
Some of these players have adopted a series of business development strategies including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, product launches, and expansion of production capacity to expand their consumer base and enhance their market share.
