Can PC be called a Embedded System ?
Can PC be qualified as Embedded System ? How about a laptop ? And then there is SBC ( Single Board Computer).
According to me, A PC can also be a embedded system if it is used for specific job only. For example, if a PC is used for only word processing, there should not be any reason why it can not be called a embedded system for word processing! Though using word processing alone may not justify use of a PC, but that does not prevent terming a PC Embedded System for Word processing!
PC as Embedded System
SBC : This is single board which contains all peripherals of a PC except the display! It contains, HDD, Processor, display cards, LAN etc. on a single board.
Laptop : Interestingly, laptop contains everything including battery back up or UPS too! So, by hardware or organisation, Laptop can be a embedded system.
Server PC : Server Class PCs are those with high configuration, high processing power and they are supposed to do very few specific tasks. For example, a Database Server is supposed to handle large database only.
The major advantages of using a PC as embedded system are :
1. Support of many hardware or peripheral.
2. Large storage capacity
3. Choice of operating System
4. Variety of tools to develop applications.
4. Easy availability
Some disadvantages are :
1. Size is bulky and big.
2. Power supply requirement is large.
3. Operating Systems tend to crash.
4. Non availability of RTOS
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Tags: Development Tools, embedded board, IC, laptop, operating system, pc, RTOS, server
