Windows or Linux
Linux and Windows can both be the right platform. At Move we are Linux-first, because Linux gives a high degree of control over software, updates and resource consumption. But when the end users already work in Windows, or the solution has to integrate with existing Windows software and hardware, we naturally develop Windows applications too.
Windows or Linux
Linux-first does not mean Windows-never
The choice between Windows and Linux is not about one operating system always being better than the other.
Linux-first
Embedded, edge, gateways and servers
Windows, where it makes sense
The user's PC, drivers and existing software
Control over updates
Tested together with the rest of the product
Licences and hardware
Part of the product's overall economics
The product decides
It is about the product, the users and the environment the solution has to work in.
At Move we are Linux-first, especially when we develop embedded systems, edge computers, gateways and servers. Here Linux lets us control a large part of the overall software platform and build the system around exactly the functions the product needs.
But there are also many applications where Windows is the most sensible choice.
When Windows makes sense
If the end user already works on a Windows PC, there is often no reason to introduce another operating system.
This might be software for laboratories, production equipment, measurement systems or industrial installations, where the user needs an advanced graphical application on their existing computer.
Here Windows can offer a very low barrier to entry. The user knows the platform, the company's IT department can manage the computer with its existing tools, and the application can integrate with the rest of the company's Windows environment.
The same applies if the product depends on software, drivers or external equipment that is mainly supported on Windows.
In those situations we develop Windows applications, because that is the right solution for the user.
Linux gives more control over the product itself
When the computer is instead an integral part of the product, rather than an ordinary user PC, the requirements are often different.
Here we typically want as much control as possible over which services and software components are running.
With Linux, and especially with platforms such as Yocto, the system can be built very precisely. Services, drivers and software packages that are not needed can be left out entirely.
On an ordinary Windows installation, the operating system is more of a complete general-purpose platform, with a range of services and system components that are managed as part of Windows.
There are specialised Windows editions and tools for industrial and embedded use, but Linux often gives us more freedom to define a very minimal system.
Updates have to suit the product
In an ordinary IT environment, automatic operating system updates are normally an advantage.
On a production machine or an embedded product, the situation can be different.
If an installation has to run continuously for many years, we want to control when software changes, and be able to test the change together with the rest of the product before it is released.
Here a Linux platform makes it possible to control the entire software release and treat the operating system as an integral part of the product's firmware.
Windows also offers enterprise and embedded-oriented options for managing updates, but the system's lifecycle and update strategy have to be thought carefully into the product architecture.
What matters is that an operating system update does not unintentionally change a production system that is otherwise running reliably.
Licences and administration
Licensing is another difference between the two platforms.
Many Linux distributions can be used without paying a licence fee per installed device. With Windows, depending on the version and the use, a licence may be needed for each computer or device.
On a single system this may not be decisive. But if a product is to be manufactured in hundreds or thousands of units, the licensing model and its administration become part of the product's overall economics.
You also have to keep track of the correct Windows version and licence type for the product's use and lifecycle.
Resource consumption and hardware
Another area is the hardware requirements.
If the product only has to communicate with a few sensors, process data and send it to the cloud, a full desktop operating system may be more than is needed.
A smaller Linux system can often run on a more compact compute platform with less RAM and storage.
That can reduce hardware cost, energy consumption and heat generation.
If, on the other hand, the application requires an advanced user interface, powerful graphics or an existing Windows software environment, the extra computing capacity can be entirely natural and no real drawback.
Windows for high-performance applications
Windows can also be a very good platform for advanced desktop applications.
At Move we develop software where, for example, large volumes of data have to be visualised, signals have to be processed in real time, or the user has to interact with instruments and complex systems through a graphical user interface.
Here Windows can provide a mature desktop environment, strong development tools and good integration with hardware, drivers and existing customer systems.
That is why we do not see Windows and Linux as competitors, where one platform always has to win.
The right platform for the right job
Our starting point is to choose the platform that best fits the product's overall lifecycle.
For servers, IoT gateways, embedded computers and edge computing, Linux will often be our first choice, because it gives us a high degree of control, low resource consumption and a platform that can be tailored to the product.
For user-oriented applications in existing Windows environments, Windows can be the natural choice.
That is why we work with both platforms at Move. Linux-first does not mean Windows-never. It means we choose Linux when control over the product platform itself matters, and Windows when it gives the best solution for the user and the existing infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linux always better than Windows?
No. The choice depends on the product, the users and the integration requirements. Linux is often attractive for embedded, server and edge, while Windows can be the obvious choice for user-oriented desktop applications.
Why do you prefer Linux for embedded products?
Linux lets us build a purpose-built system with only the components and services the product needs. That gives a high degree of control over the software platform.
Do you develop Windows applications?
Yes. We develop Windows applications when it makes sense in terms of the end user, existing software, drivers or the customer's IT environment.
Is Windows more expensive to use in a product?
It can be. Depending on the Windows version and the use, there may be licence costs per device. This should be assessed as part of the product's overall economics.
Can Windows be used in industrial products?
Yes. Windows is widely used in industrial systems and also comes in editions aimed at enterprise and IoT use. The important thing is to choose the right version and keep track of lifecycle, licences and update strategy.
Which operating system do you use for servers?
As a starting point we choose Linux for servers, because it suits automation, containers, cloud infrastructure and remote administration well.
Can the same solution have both Windows and Linux?
Yes. It is very common. A product may, for example, have a Linux-based edge computer or server, while the operator works with a Windows application on their PC.
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