Windows CE Compare and Contrast Linux and Windows XP

Windows CE: Compare/Contrast Linux and Windows XP

Windows CE

Windows CE (consumer electronics), as the name indicates is Microsoft's embedded operating system specially developed for many types of consumer electronic gadgets like PDA's, industrial controllers and other mobile communication devices. It is in a true sense a multitasking and multithreading operating system and hence allows for two applications to be run at the same time. The first version of Windows CE had a similar feel to Windows 95 and included specially tailored versions of Word, excel as well as other features like PPP Internet connectivity, customized email and support for applications from other vendors.

Microsoft is on the verge of releasing the latest version windows CE 5.0 this year. The HPC explorer software used in windows CE allows for translation of files from handheld systems (using scaled down versions of excel and word) to the format suitable for desktop operating systems like Windows 95, NT etc.

This latest release would have more than 50 device drivers, which support a variety of hardware platforms. Windows CE 5.0 is also designed to support high-speed wireless LAN networks, which enables mobile phones to have improved Internet access. Among the new features are a built in "Error reporting system" and special security provisions. Mr. John Starkweather, a senior product manager in Microsoft says that these new features have raised the operating system "closer to desktop parity." [Bob Brewin] Let us compare and contrast Windows CE with Windows XP and Linux operating systems.

Windows CE and Linux (Comparison)

Both these Operating systems have their respective share of advantages and disadvantages. A comparative study of Windows CE and Linux in itself presents some problems, as Linux and Windows CE are two operating systems designed to cater to entirely different hardware domains. Windows CE has very rich API features and is available for different processor types like MIPS, ARM, Intel 80x86 etc. Linux also can be adapted to an embedded system if the device has open hardware architecture. Linux is relatively more stable and its security model offers protection against individual process failures leading to system crashes. [Tim Chart] Windows CE offers graphical user interface, which resembles Windows 95. The text interface of Unix is very cumbersome for PDA's and other small-embedded devices. Linux also provides excellent graphical user interface but it significantly taxes the system resources as its code is very extensive. Linux is highly memory intensive and the kernel itself consumes 2Mb of ROM. Linux offers extensive library features but the lack of an integrated tool set makes it relatively hard for building applications. The Windows CE.NET platform allows the development and the smooth integration of different applications.

Windows CE and Linux (Contrast)

Real time response is very important for industrial application devices. Windows CE is a realtime operating system while Linux does not offer realtime capabilities. The ability to support new technology is one area where there is a significant difference between Windows CE and Linux. On the other hand, Linux being an open source system allows for frequent updation and distribution of new releases, which support new technology. [Tim Chart] As of now Windows CE is very limited in hardware support, however, this gap in device support will soon be narrowed as Microsoft's Windows CE version 5.0, slated to be released this year, is expected to provide more than 50 device drivers.

Linux, in the first place, was not developed for mobile devices, which have severe resource scarcity, while windows CE was specifically developed for this segment of communicating and computing devices. This underlying difference in the architecture of the operating systems creates a definite bias, when it comes to application development, in favor of windows CE. Finally Linux is a multi-user System while Windows CE is strictly single user operating system. Windows CE offers powerful tools with a common IDE while Linux lacks a common IDE.

Microsoft Corporation]

Windows CE and Windows XP (Comparision)

Windows CE is actually based on Windows 95 as the core along with some new applets. Currently both Windows XP and Windows CE offer full functional support for 32-bit and 64-bit hardware. 64-bit Windows CE has made the high-end communication needs of 3g mobile devices and other electronic gadgets a reality. As Kevin J. Meyer, vice president of marketing at MIPS Technologies says, "As always, consumers continue to demand richer media and graphics that only 64-bit technology can provide. Full 64-bit support in Windows CE is an important step in meeting that demand."[Michele Healey]. Windows XP is currently the most stable, secure and highly robust windows operating system for the desktop and server segment. [Darryl Brumfield]. These operating systems specialize in device specific features or certain functionalities like security or stability, which has prompted some computer vendors to offer both Windows XP and windows CE bundled together in a single system. CeWin is a software, which extends the functionality of windows XP to industrial realtime applications by allowing both these operating systems to run on a single pc. [Heinrich Munz]