Because the code is open-source, you can adjust any component of the operating system to meet your needs. If you wish to customize the operating system for your application, then Linux is a clear winner. Some developers and end users can do so without any issues, but others may find it too challenging, offsetting the cost-saving benefits that come with the Linux OS. Effectively using Linux operating systems means navigating the systems without support and staying on top of new developments and changes, making updates on your own as necessary. Some developers find that paying for Windows means paying for the infrastructure that comes with Microsoft, which gives them easier access to support tools.
The free use of almost all Linux services-though some do have a small distribution fee-is certainly appealing, but it also comes with less support. However, the cost alone should not be the only decision point when choosing between Linux and Windows OS.
Additionally, the license must be purchased for each device, so the costs continue to grow.
Depending on the size of the embedded system and how it will be used, the license can be costly. All Windows systems require users to purchase a license. This, of course, is not the case for Windows OS. In other words, you can use Linux embedded OS without paying any licensing fees or support fees. Everything created from the foundation of the original source code is also covered by the GNU. Programmers took up the torch for Linux almost as soon as it was created in 1991, thanks to its open-source format, and essentially created a community of free support and add-ons to the system.
Linux is an open-source system that operates almost entirely on a General Public License-GNU-which means that it can be used for free without paying for a copyright license. Each system has its ardent supporters, and the number of users of each is fairly evenly split, though Linux has a slight advantage.Ĭost is, naturally, a major concern for any developer, and when considered on the basis of cost alone, Linux seems like a no-brainer. However, as the field expanded and embedded systems became more sophisticated, developers gravitated towards Windows and Linux embedded systems for their applications. When embedded systems were initially developed, many companies had their own in-house proprietary systems. If you take money out of an ATM, have a medical device, or use a gaming console, you are using an embedded system. Chances are that you are using many more embedded systems each day than you realize. In a very broad sense, any system within a larger application that has a microcontroller or microprocessor is an embedded system.Įmbedded systems are used in countless ways in consumer, commercial, and industrial applications. Embedded systems can be very small-such as embedded systems within mobile phones-or they can be quite large, such as the embedded systems that are found within automation machines in manufacturing plants. They are controllers that have specific functions to perform within an application and come in a huge variety of sizes and designs. Here is a closer look at how Windows and Linux embedded operating systems compare to help you make an informed choice for your project.Įmbedded systems are essentially devices within devices.
You must also consider the overall familiarity of the application designers with each system. Everything from cost to maintenance and upgrades should feature prominently in your decision-making. For embedded systems, it is best to weigh the pros and cons of both Windows and Linux for each specific application, before deciding which one is the right fit.
When comparing Windows and Linux for embedded operating systems, there is no simple, one-size-fits-all answer. Would it be better to opt for another Windows OS, or should they rewrite applications to use a completely different OS, such as Linux. The August 2019 announcement by Microsoft that they would no longer be supporting Windows Embedded 2009 or Windows Embedded POS Ready 2009 left many OEMs, designers, and industrial users questioning what decisions they should make about embedded operating systems (OS) in the future.