Which Windows Embedded Product is Right for Me?

What is Windows Embedded?

Windows Embedded is a family of operating systems that offer familiar tools and technologies for developers to quickly bring the next generation of smart, connected, service-oriented devices to market.

Windows Embedded features enable interoperability with industry standards and Microsoft technologies, enabling connectivity to PCs, services, servers, and other devices.

Windows Embedded is backed by worldwide support from Windows Embedded Partners and an active development community.

Use the at-a-glance chart below to compare the Windows Embedded family of products to determine which is more suited to your device needs.

Server Platform:
	Build and deploy dedicated server appliances with smaller footprints, robust networking and support for large storage, aiding in the rapid setup and remote management capabilities of embedded devices.
Client Platforms:

Product Family		(next generation of Windows XP Embedded)	(next generation Windows Embedded for Point of Service)
Quick Description	Develop small footprint devices with a componentized, real-time operating system	Develop advanced commercial and consumer devices to run thousands of existing Windows applications and drivers	Connect a variety of retail or hospitality device peripherals onto a single point of service system	For dedicated embedded devices that require custom interfaces and fully functioning Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista	Develop devices optimized for Portable Navigation
Footprint	Small Footprint 300KB/ 700 Components	Reduced Footprint 12,000 Individual Components; 40 MB at smallest	Optimized for Point of Service Devices	XP Pro: 128 MB RAM; 1.5 GB Hard Drive Vista: 1 GB RAM; 40 GB Hard Drive	Small Footprint (new componentized technologies that can be quickly incorporated into CE 5.0 designs)
Processor	ARM MIPS SH4 x86	x86	x86	XP Pro: 300 MHz 32-bit (x86) Vista: 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor	ARM
Real-time OS	32-bit Native Real-Time Support Unified Kernel	Via Third Party Plug in	Via Third Party Plug in	Via Third Party Plug in	32-bit Native Real-Time Support Unified Kernel
Application support	Customized Win 32 Applications	Full Win 32 Application compatibility	Existent or Customized Win 32 Applications	Existent or Customized Win 32 Applications	Customized Win 32 Applications
Trial	6-month, fully functional	4-month, fully functional	4-month, fully functional	Windows XP Pro and Windows Vista Development Center (MSDN), or contact a Windows Embedded Authorized Distributor	Adds new components to existing Windows CE 5.0 platform builder installations (trial or full packaged product)
Support	10-year product support life cycle Windows Embedded CE Development Center (MSDN) Partner Resources	10-year product support life cycle Windows XP Embedded Development Center (MSDN) Partner Resources	10-year product support life cycle Windows Embedded for Point of Service Development Center (MSDN) Partner Resources	10-year product support life cycle Windows Vista Development Center (MSDN) Partner Resources	Same support and product lifecycle as technologies released with Windows CE 5.0 Partner Resources