Ideas for a wall-mount touchscreen PC

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Oncop53

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Ultimate Geek
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#154019 15-Oct-2014 14:42

Hi,

I want to put up 3 or 4 touch screen PCs around work that will (when not in use) do a slideshow of work content for visitors. But then have the ability to access all of our web databases, play videos, look at photos, etc. Pretty much just look cool and showcase what we do (broadly environmental research).

Limitations are:

Touchscreen
Wall mount
Windows
Not too small
Under $2000 (excluding GST) each

Some of these look great: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=WKALEN57327767&name=Lenovo-IdeaCentre-Horizon-27-AIO-Table-PC-Intel-i7

But I can’t see how to attach it to a wall easily.

So two questions, is there some great wall-mount device that I can use for attaching a 27” non-VESA screen, or is there a better option?

Niel

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#1155719 15-Oct-2014 21:43

Look-up a brand called Advantech. It is low cost industrial grade, not consumer grade. I believe the local reseller (in Auckland) is Dove Electronics. I use one of their products for production test systems, to automate testing of electronic products we manufacture. The one I use runs an Atom processor so it is fanless and will never need maintenance (cleaning) from running 24/7. It is only resistive touch, but the newer model might be capacitive. This older model has a battery option. All-up I think we pay a bit over $2000, but includes paying them to install the OS and do a burn-in test and a few accessories. The new model has a faster processor, but no battery option and a fair bit cheaper. I'm sure you should get within your budget, especially if you buy 4. The one we have has a VESA mount, and also kiosk panel mount where you cut a rectangle hole in a panel and mount it essentially flush (you need access from behind to fit the screws).

You can never have enough Volvos!

nathan

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#1155720 15-Oct-2014 21:48

What screen size?

Oncop53

273 posts

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#1155763 15-Oct-2014 22:58

nathan: What screen size?

23" to 27" as big as I can get for under $2K

Oncop53

273 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 24

#1155769 15-Oct-2014 23:17

Niel: Look-up a brand called Advantech. It is low cost industrial grade, not consumer grade. I believe the local reseller (in Auckland) is Dove Electronics. I use one of their products for production test systems, to automate testing of electronic products we manufacture. The one I use runs an Atom processor so it is fanless and will never need maintenance (cleaning) from running 24/7. It is only resistive touch, but the newer model might be capacitive. This older model has a battery option. All-up I think we pay a bit over $2000, but includes paying them to install the OS and do a burn-in test and a few accessories. The new model has a faster processor, but no battery option and a fair bit cheaper. I'm sure you should get within your budget, especially if you buy 4. The one we have has a VESA mount, and also kiosk panel mount where you cut a rectangle hole in a panel and mount it essentially flush (you need access from behind to fit the screws).

Interesting product. Thanks.
www.advantech.com/products/SELF-SERVICE_TOUCH_COMPUTER/UTC-520A/mod_C42E1E2B-49AE-4DB2-AF39-D97380B77866.aspx

http://www.ruggedpcreview.com/3_panels_advantech_utc520.html

bigears

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1162296 26-Oct-2014 10:36

Suggest that you try enquiring / google search for key words:
digital signage

I think those products may offer the best bang for your buck.

Sounds like you have a large overall budget approaching 10k or more for the 4 or 5 screens you're considering.
I suggest the highest value approach is one where you can buy the screens with touch function separate from the PC:
- the PC notoriously becomes obsolete quickly.
- screens are notoriously cheap as plain display items (i think i saw a 55" plasma for under $1k several months ago!!)

Plus like any multi-function product, once one subsystem fails, it often renders the entire assembly dead as a boat-anchor. Or at least forces you to pay through-the-nose for replacement parts for an uncommon item.

Only issue with buying the display item separately as a touch enabled device is that they're comparatively rare in NZ.

I just got given a Google Chromecast a few weeks ago - that looks like an awesomely cheap (about $60 kiwi, 35 USD) way to turn a display into a slideshow capable screen! Just doesn't do touch. You could just buy 5 cheap 55" TVs and plug a Chromecast into each!

Doing the google search shows up several AV type companies offering digital sign products, maybe you can get them to offer a competitive solution to your buying 4 or 5 of those Lenovo units.

Also found there's an emerging standard (OPS) from Intel for PC modules to go into digital signs, where the PC is housed in a plug-in module. Sounds neat, but like most emerging things, dunno where you find such things in NZ:
https://embedded.communities.intel.com/community/en/applications/blog/2012/02/07/roving-reporter-ops-pluggable-module-and-display-enhance-digital-signage-applications

I used to work on touch screens, so would be interested to see what you end up running with.

CYaBro

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#1162307 26-Oct-2014 11:15

I'm just about to install something similar for a vet clinic to use in their consult rooms.
22" ViewSonic touchscreen, wall mounted, with a Gigabyte Brix Celeron unit that I will also screw to the wall, behind the screen, using the Vesa mount that comes with them.
Touchscreens get expensive when you want anything bigger than a 22".

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.