Arm vs x86

More choices, tougher decisions


Consumer computing trends are driving power-conscious mobile x86 processors such as Intel Atom and Celeron


On the other hand they are driving performance-oriented Arm-based processors leveraging cores such as Cortex-A series


This means more options for systems designers when starting a new project.


Traditional approaches to software have directed Arm projects towards Linux and x86 towards Windows, but embedded Windows® OSes aimed at ARM processors and lightweight Linux distributions for x86 mean this divide is less clear cut than in the past.


Intel cores tend to consume more power than Arm cores due to their increased complexity. The Intel processors aimed at IoT and embedded use cases tend to consume from a minimum of 6W up to about 30W.


Arm comes into its own for non-demanding applications, or applications that require fewer commands such as mobile phones, wearables and miniature electronics.


But which platform should you choose?  Let Anders help you decide.

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