HP t5500 Embedded Operating Systems Selection Guide - Page 3

Features Terminal emulation Graphical/text printing Touch screen monitor Wireless Common Features XPe CE Linux Advantages of embedded operating systems and thin client hardware The advantages of the embedded operating systems thin clients use include: • Lower administration costs - Like managed desktops, client management is performed remotely on a centralized server. However, thin clients offer the additional advantages of a smaller footprint (offering less surface area for attacks and patching) and image lifecycle (because applications are stored on the server or PC blade, the thin client operating system does not require upgrading). • Security - You can configure local operating systems for resilience against user changes and harden against viruses and worms. • Lower hardware costs - Customers benefit from lower hardware maintenance costs because the devices are less prone to failure from spinning media, power system fans, and system heat. As a result, the products may have a longer life cycle than personal computers. • Data theft/data loss - With server-based computing, local operating systems are software platforms for access devices. Data is not normally written to or stored on the thin client. Windows XP Embedded (XPe) operating system The Windows XPe operating system is based on binaries used in the Windows XP Professional operating system. The Win32 programming model provides security, performance, multimedia, internet browsing, and extensive hardware device support features in a familiar user interface. The following table lists strengths and weaknesses of the Windows XPe operating system: Windows XPe Operating System Strengths Large peripheral device support Win32-based applications support User interface similar to Windows XP Weaknesses Large memory requirement Operating system license cost 3