Panel PC with field-serviceable SSD and dual Ethernet
The Siemens 6ES7718-.....-0... is an industrial panel PC built around an Intel CM246 chipset, offered with either a Core i5-8400H (2.5 to 4.2 GHz, 4 cores, 8 MB cache) or a Core i7-8850H (2.6 to 4.3 GHz, 6 cores, 9 MB cache). The SSD is marked as easy to replace, so if a drive fails on a production line, you can swap it without pulling the whole unit — that matters when the line is down and the only tool you have is a screwdriver. It runs Windows 10 Enterprise 64-bit and supports both STEP 7 Professional 2017 SR1 and STEP 5 V7.23 HF2, which means it can handle older S5 projects alongside current S7-1500 or S7-1200 controllers. The 802.11ac Wi-Fi gives you wireless access for diagnostics or recipe uploads without stringing a cable across the shop floor. The panel measures 385 mm wide, 275 mm deep, and 53 mm high. A retractable handle is built in. The keyboard comes in QWERTZ/QWERTY or AZERTY (French) layouts with 87 keys.
What the ratings mean for fit
Operating temperature from -20 °C to 60 °C, with a max rate of change of 20 °C/h and no condensation — so it's fine for an unheated warehouse or a panel near a furnace, but don't put it where steam or washdown hits it directly. Humidity tested to 85% at 30 °C/h per IEC 60068-2-78, -2-30, and -2-14, covering damp heat cyclic and steady-state conditions. The 300 cd/m² luminance display is non-reflecting, which means it stays readable under factory lighting or near a window. The DVI-I and DisplayPort outputs let you mirror or extend to a second monitor for a supervisor station. Two independent Gigabit Ethernet ports (RJ45) with separate MAC/IP addresses — you can put the control network on one port and the office IT network on the other without a managed switch. Wake on LAN is supported, so a remote start is possible for after-hours updates. The lithium-ion battery is replaceable and has an 8.25 A·h capacity. It's designed to keep the PC alive through a short power bump or let you move it between stations without a full shutdown. A USB Type-A port includes a charging function for a smartphone, even when the device is off.
Sourcing and lifecycle
This panel PC carries CE, UL, and CSA approvals, plus DIN/ISO 9001 certification for the development and production site in Germany. The SSD is marked as easy to replace, so if you're stocking spares for a long-run line, the drive is a separate line item — not a whole panel swap. Memory is DDR4-SDRAM SO-DIMM in two slots, configurable as 1x 8 GB, 1x 16 GB, or 2x 16 GB. The SSD can go up to 2 TB. The processor, memory, and drive are all socketed or slot-based — not soldered — so future upgrades or field repairs are possible without a board swap. This part is sourced to order against an RFQ. The combination of dual Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and legacy STEP 5 support makes it a candidate for a line that mixes S5 and S7 controls, but the exact configuration (processor, memory, keyboard layout) should be confirmed at quote time.