How to tag a PC (Personal Computer) with RFID

Absorption

Almost any plastic PC case can be tagged with RFID with no loss in read range or quality. Metallic cases require a metal-mount RFID tag or a spacer to pad the RFID tag from the metal.

Placement

PC's are commonly tagged for inventory management purposes. It is important to keep a metal-free line of site between your asset tags and your RFID reader to ease the process of managing your inventory. Most computers have plastic faceplates that make perfect surfaces for RFID tagging. If your PCs have entirely metal cases you may want to consider using a metal-mount RFID tag.

Pro-Tips

Desktop computers and workstations can be tagged and inventoried with RFID quite easily. Many computer cases are plastic and can be tagged from inside the case.

Tag Recommendations

The NOX-TM4 is the recommended tag for tagging a desktop PC. It is small, durable, and has an average read range of 15'. The NOX-TM4 can withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees F and is encased in a durable material designed to withstand impact and intense heat.

- Expected RFID Read Ranges
  - 4"x1" Gen2 RFID - 10' minimum, 15' average, will work on all PC's with plastic cases.
  - Gen2 metal-mount RFID - 5' minimum 10' average.
- Expected Costs of RFID Tag
  - Costs for a blank RFID tag for PCs can range from $0.20 each to $0.30 each depending on the tag inlay and label material. Pre-programmed RFID tags range from $0.99 on quantity 1, to $0.59 for large quantities (5,000+).
  - Non-programmed Metal-Mount RFID tags can cost as much as $3.74 each on quantity 1 and as little as $1.67 each on quantities over 1000.
  - Pre-programmed Metal-Mount RFID tags cost approximately $2 each on quantities over 1000.
- What RFID tag sizes are there?
  - Sizes for a complete RFID label designed for tagging a PC can be as small as 4"x3/4".
  - Metal-Mount RFID tags are as small as 38mm x10mm x2.8mm.
- Metal-mount RFID tags can be affixed to a desktop computer permanently.

A more affordable, but less durable tagging option is the NOX-1 4"x3/4" RFID tag. NOX-1 RFID tags will work on all PCs with plastic cases. The NOX-1 includes a 4"x1" peel-off traveler label that can be placed on a document for record keeping.

Other recommendations:

- NOX-TM15 (Large sized tag for larger read distances.)