Category

Computer

Embedded device

Description

A computer is a combination of hardware and software resources which integrate together and provides various functionalities to the user.

An embedded device is a part of an integrated system that is formed as a combination of computer hardware and software for a specific function and which can operate without human interaction.

Human Interaction

A computer needs Human Interaction to perform tasks.

Embedded device does not need Human Interaction to perform tasks.

Types based on architecture

Analog computer, Digital computer, Hybrid computer, Harvard architecture, Von Neumann architecture, Reduced instruction set computer

Small Scale Embedded System, Medium Scale Embedded Systems, Sophisticated or Complex Embedded Systems

Parts

It has 2 parts: Hardware and Software.

It has 3 parts: Hardware, Firmware and Software.

Tasks

It can perform many tasks.

It performs limited tasks.

Cost to user

The user has to pay more for a computer.

The user incurs lesser cost for an embedded system.

Peripherals

Computers have peripherals such as keyboard and mouse, display, printer, Hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, optical disc drives etc.

Embedded Devices have peripherals such as Serial Communication Interfaces (SCI), Synchronous Serial Communication Interface, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Multi Media Cards (SD cards, Compact Flash) etc.

Purpose

Computers can be reprogrammed to for a new purpose.

Embedded Devices are made only for a specific set of purposes.

Power Consumption

Computer needs more operational power than Embedded Devices.

Embedded Device needs lesser operational power than a Computer.

Complexity

Computers are more complex devices than Embedded Devices.

Embedded Devices are less complex devices than Computers.

Need of another device

Computers may be installed in other devices but are self-sufficient to exist.

Embedded Devices only exist inside other Systems.

Usage Difficulty

Computers are more Difficult when used, compared to an Embedded System.

Embedded are easier to use than Computers.

User Interfaces

It requires more user interface than Embedded Devices.

It requires lesser to no user interface than Computers.

Time Specificity

Computers are not time specific. They may need to perform tasks which are not time bound and take days to perform as well.

Embedded Devices are time specific. The tasks assigned to them need to be performed within a specific time frame.

Size

Computers are usually bigger in size with larger hardware and input output devices attached to it.

Embedded Devices are smaller in size than Computers, with limited hardware.

Developed in

1833 A.D.

1965 A.D.