A Linux device refers to any embedded system that runs on the Linux kernel and operating system, this encompasses a wide range of devices from smartphones through to servers and embedded systems. Linux is an open-source operating system that manages hardware and provides a foundation for a wide variety of software and applications. Embedded Linux devices are popular due to their flexibility, security, stability, and scalability.
Examples of a Linux Device
The Linux operating system is broad and flexible, meaning that it can be used to support many different kinds of devices such as:
- Smartphones: Android, a popular mobile operating system, is based on the Linux operating system.
- Servers: Linux is also widely used for web hosting and other server-based applications due to its reliability and performance.
- Embedded Linux Systems: Linux powers various devices, including internet routers, printers, and lots of industrial equipment.
- Computing: Many of the world’s fastest computers run on the Linux operating system.
- Smart TVs: Some smart TVs also use Linux-based operating systems, like Tizen (Samsung) or webOS (LG).
What Are The Key Benefits Of Using A Linux Device Or Operating System?
- Flexibility: Linux operating systems can be easily adapted to run on a wide variety of hardware and software platforms, making it an efficient software to use regardless of your operational needs.
- Open Source: Linux is open-source, meaning its code is freely available for developers to modify and distribute.
- Security: Linux is known for its robust security features, making it a popular choice for servers and other critical systems.
- Stability: Linux is designed to be reliable, which makes it a good choice for mission-critical applications
- Time to market: Many software products and frameworks are developed on Linux first. By using an embedded Linux base, products can be brought to market sooner.
- Code re-use: Embedded Linux distributions typically includes substantial amounts of written, verified code. Particularly for more complicated subsystems, it can be significantly faster to re-use a Linux driver or subsystem, than to develop from scratch.
Embedded Linux Device OS At Bermondsey Electronics
At Bermondsey Electronics, we specialise in embedded Linux device operating systems, building and testing them using the same test-driven, desktop-simulation approach we apply across every platform we work on. The aim is the same across IoT devices, industrial automation and medical products, in any industry: a software stack that behaves predictably and can be verified before it reaches real hardware, supported by our embedded testing services.
We applied this on the UVC Vet treatment device from Photon Therapeutics. We brought up the operating system, developed the core application and built the Qt5 user interface, keeping it separate from the safety-critical control functions. The device went on to win the Technology Award at the Animal Health & Nutrition Technology Innovation European Summit 2026. Read the full Photon Therapeutics case study, or see more of our case studies.
Getting a custom Linux image onto real hardware also means choosing a build system, most commonly Yocto or Buildroot, and getting driver and board support package work right.
Not every device on this list needs the full weight of embedded Linux. For products that need something lighter, we also work across Zephyr, FreeRTOS, and ThreadX, each suited to different power, connectivity, and certification requirements.
FAQs
Is a Raspberry Pi a Linux device?
Yes. A Raspberry Pi typically runs a Linux-based operating system (commonly Raspberry Pi OS, itself based on Debian), making it a Linux device in the same sense as a router, smart TV, or industrial controller running embedded Linux.
Do all Linux devices run the same version of Linux?
No. Linux devices run many different distributions and configurations depending on the hardware and application, from full desktop-style distributions on servers to minimal, purpose-built images generated for a single embedded product using tools like Yocto or Buildroot.
What devices use embedded Linux?
Embedded Linux runs in a wide range of products, including internet routers, smart TVs, printers, industrial control equipment, and connected consumer devices. Anywhere a product needs more processing power or a fuller software stack than a lightweight microcontroller can offer, embedded Linux is a common choice.
Is Android a Linux device?
Yes. Android is built on the Linux kernel, which makes any Android smartphone, tablet, or smart TV a Linux device, even though its user interface and application layer are quite different from a typical desktop or server Linux system.
Do I need to know Linux to use a Linux device?
No. Most Linux devices, from smart TVs to routers, are designed so the end user never sees the underlying operating system at all. Linux knowledge only becomes necessary for the engineers building or maintaining the device itself.
What’s the difference between a general Linux device and a custom embedded Linux system?
A general Linux device, such as a smart TV or router, runs a Linux distribution built for broad, repeatable use across many units of the same product. A custom embedded Linux system is built and configured for one specific product’s hardware and requirements, typically using a build system such as Yocto or Buildroot.
