A: Difference is complexity and thermal. A basic bottled dispenser PCBA mainly controls a pump. A hot cold water dispenser PCBA has to handle both a heating element and a cooling system, so it needs stronger power circuits, more accurate temperature sensors, and often fancier safety cut-offs to deal with all that heat inside.
A: Component layout, or board design, impacts assembly, maintenance, and performance. Logical layout makes it easier and quicker to do the manufacturing assembly. Also it makes sure that heat sensitive components don't end up next to things like a heating element driver, and that things like buttons or switches are easy to connect to the dispenser's outside panels.
A: Key features should be reliable liquid level sensing to prevent pump from running dry, pump control circuit that can handle the first lift from bottom reservoir, and rugged connectors for the internal tubing assembly. PCBA should be designed to work reliably in a slightly more humid environment inside the dispenser cabinet.
A: Strong PCBA design capability, with specialization for the appliance. A more compact board fits better inside the housing, a more efficient power design that uses less energy, and a logical control sequence that makes things easier for the person using it. A good design depends on whether heat moves through a thing (thermal conductivity) and how parts go together to make a thing (assembly flow), so that it's smooth and easy to make.