Companies involved in creating industrial computer systems move in one of two directions. Depending on the use case of the buyer, computers will push for the cutting edge of power, which necessitates considerable power and space demands. A range of motherboards fulfill these demands; ranging from Pico-ITX to the almost gargantuan EATX, they utilize the newest processors, graphics cards and additional modules to allow users the most power possible. Technology, and by extension the buyer’s interest, can also move in the opposite direction.
Various sectors, such as the medical or military fields, have a need for low power solutions that can be mobile. Handheld computing or the shrinking of existing systems that allows them be used in the field represents the ultimate goal. The need to push computer systems to a smaller form factor presents a challenge, but manufacturers have essentially solved the issue with computer on modules.
The Popular Embedded Boards
OEMs are in the tough position of deciding which motherboard standard can be used to fit the need for smaller computing. Manufacturers present a number of different types; the two most popular and smallest board standards are Qseven and COM Express. There are a number of differences between the two, most notable is Continue Reading…
When it comes to motherboards, the industrial and commercial sectors do a pretty good job at keeping themselves separate. Even to the point where commercial manufacturers don’t sell industrial motherboards and, conversely, where industrial manufacturers don’t sell commercial motherboards.
Industrial motherboard manufacturers just aren’t set up to compete with the likes of ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte, while still keeping motherboards with lifecycles of 5 years or more on their product roadmap. And simply put, their procedures require a higher overhead and resultantly higher priced motherboard.
Commercial manufacturers on the other hand have the opposite problem of not being able to support a motherboard for 5+ years. They also can’t offer all of the different custom options and small runs of quantities like 50-100 boards, because they are set up to manufacture THOUSANDS of boards at a time. It’s just a matter of the two industries not being economically set up to overlap.
Commercial Manufacturers Making Industrial Motherboards?
However, in recent years, whether due to exponential growth in the industrial motherboard and embedded PC market, or simply because a recent analysis showed it to be a prudent move, commercial manufacturers are now getting involved Continue Reading…
The “golden egg” for most of technology runs along a very particular line of thought: make your device smaller without sacrificing its ability to process and render the necessary information for the user. The consumer side of technology grasped this mantra and ran with it. The processes that needed a standard sized computer five years ago can now be shrunk to a single embedded board.
With the modern trend of smartphones and tablets, it would seem that there is no longer a need for the outdated and oversized motherboard. But does this apply to the industrial sector? If we can replace them with newer, smaller and sometimes more efficient components, then what is the point of these legacy parts? In selecting between a large ATX vs. Micro ATX board, should the choice always be the latter? This conversation rages on and each side makes compelling arguments. Both standards can coexist because they each play a role. They fit certain needs perfectly, but also have their drawbacks.
ATX vs. Micro ATX: What Can a Few Inches Do?
ATX boards, the big brother of the Micro ATX standard, are considered workhorses in the computing world. They are very versatile motherboards and can be found in a multitude of places, ranging from high powered workstations, database/server architecture and even to communication centers. From an industrial perspective, Continue Reading…
