POS Computer Finder

Windows XP	Windows 7
Windows XP Pro has been in the market forever, and is the best guarantee for hardware and software compatibility for point of sale applications. We definitely recommend Windows XP Pro if you are unsure which operating system to use.	Windows 7 is the newest version of Microsofts flagship software and offers tremendous security improvements over Windows XP. While the currently list of supported pos hardware and software is limited, it is growing every day. We only recommend Windows 7 if your hardware and software is certified for use with Windows 7.
Windows POS Ready 2009	No OS
Windows POS Ready 2009 is a version of Windows 7 with many extraneous features removed, allowing it to run on lower powered hardware. Like Windows 7, hardware support should be double checked before going forward with a Windows POS Ready 2009 POS computer.	If you already have licenses for your operating system, purchasing a POS Computer with no pre-installed operating system is a great and economical solution. We do want to remind you that these computers might not always use default drivers, so setup may take longer than an off-the-shelf PC.

Celeron (800 MHz to 3.4 GHz)	Atom (1 GHz to 1.9 GHz)
The Intel Celeron platform has been an affordable alternative to the Pentium processor for many years. Though usually not as powerful as a similarly-equipped Pentium, Celeron-based POS computers are great as the primary station at a business.	The Atom processor is an energy efficient solution ideal for many businesses. Energy efficiency does limit the overall power output of an Atom processor, but they are still a great choice for secondary order stations, or workstations that might not host your database.
Core 2 (2.3 GHz to 3.4 GHz)	Pentium (500 MHz to 3.8 GHz)
Core 2 processors offer the highest performance available for POS Computers. Multiple cores allow common processes to be sideloaded, saving an entire processor to handle high-performance calculations. These are a great choice for servers, primary stations, or businesses that might deal with large databases.	More robust than the Atom & Celeron processors but not quite as powerful as the Core 2 line, the Intel Pentium is a great and affordable choice for businesses needing a server or main station on a budget.
Choosing the right processor for your POS Computer is incredibly important. Many software platforms have strict hardware requirements, and so you want to make sure you meet or exceed them to maximize your user experience. For example, Aldelo software requires a 2 GHz processor or better

The more RAM you have in your computer improves performance even when running multiple demanding applications. In most instances, we recommend getting at least 2 GB of RAM for your POS computer, as that allows it to scale with your business if necessary. However, other options are available with less RAM, ideal for order stations, or PCs that may not host your database.

Many POS software packages have specific screen size requirements. For regular POS applications, such as retail or restaurant operations, we recommend getting a POS computer with at least a 15" screen.

Resistive	Capacitive
Resistive touch technology is the most common way to use your screen as an input device. Any contact with the screen is treated as an input, making this a great choice for restaurants, retail, or places where employees might use a stylus, pen, or anything else to click on the screen. We recommend resistive touch technology for almost any situation.	Capacitive uses your body as an electrical ground, and treats any dip in capacitance on your screen as a click. While much more precise than resistive touch technology, if your employees wear gloves or use anything other than a bare finger to touch the screen, input will not be recognized.
Acoustic	Infrared
Acoustic pulse is designed where touching different parts of the panel creates a unique sound. This technology functions even if there is dust or scratches on the panel and cannot be fooled by ambient sound.	Infrared uses a series of infrared LEDS and photoreceptors to determine where an object is touching the screen. This technology is much more resistant to the elements, making it a great choice for outdoor kiosk or industrial use.