| What touch screen hardware should I choose? When | | | | separated. The advantage of it being the one unit is |
| it comes to touch screen hardware the decision | | | | that the space usage is very efficient. However a PC |
| involves looking at: | | | | separate from the touchscreen unit can save on |
| 1. The usage and the environment for the touch | | | | bench space as the screen is thinner than the touch |
| screen | | | | and terminal combined and you can tuck the PC in |
| 2. The type of warranty service you want | | | | under the counter. |
| 3. Your budget | | | | What about warranty service? |
| Number 1 what sort of environment will you be | | | | Again this is where you get what you pay for. If you |
| operating in. Does your retail environment involve dust, | | | | want good on site warranty then you are going to pay |
| dirt, liquids, food preparation or other preparation? The | | | | more than for back to base. The length of the touch |
| reason this is important as this determines your | | | | screen warranty will also affect the cost as well. |
| requirements in terms of the touch screen. | | | | What is your budget for your touchscreen? |
| If the environment is harsh or their is a high probability | | | | Your budget is going to determine what you can |
| of liquid spills or dirty fingers then you really need a | | | | actually purchase when is comes to touch screens. If |
| robust, fanless touch screen unit. Most of these units | | | | you are looking at saving the most you will go for a |
| also have different levels of spill resistant screens. | | | | less well known brand name, with a back to base |
| Some screens with the correct seals can even take | | | | warranty. For example the Posiflex 6815 comes with |
| the can of coke or class of water poured directly over | | | | 1GB of Ram and XP pro and this is around 2K. |
| the touch screen. Now these units cost more but if | | | | Now if your budget allows for more you may go for |
| you are running a restaurant kitchen, fast food outlets | | | | the IBM Sure pos which is around 4+K but comes with |
| or some industrial environment then you really have no | | | | 12 months on site warranty. NCR is also a good option |
| other option. | | | | and includes a good on site warranty. |
| If your environment is not as harsh you can consider | | | | All the above products are available through a range |
| less resistant touch screens which are lower in cost. | | | | of vendors, you just needs to check the requirements |
| The other choice you have is if you want the touch | | | | of the point of sale software you plan to install on your |
| screen and the PC as one unit or you want them | | | | hardware. |