Andy:
I have used the embedded PC type products before. All the way from motherboards to PC/104 to various SBCs. They are great for hosting PC type software for an embedded product application. As a matter of fact an embedded Windows app could nicely support Himanshu Thakkar's USB printer.

However, even at under 100 quid they are quite a more costly than the .5 to 2 quid FLASH based modern 8052 derivative microcontroller.

So the engineer STILL has job security...making the age old decisions of selecting the right components for the job. Goodness even Ben Franklin had to select whether he should use a brass key or an iron horse shoe nail on his kite string the rainey night he was studying lightning.

Michael Karas