ARM vs X86 : How to make a choice? [closed]

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I have recently seen 32 bit ARM processors. I wonder why we can't construct a desktop computer using it. In that case how it differ from X86 ? Do the ARM architecture consume less power ..is it the reason of using them in embedded systems ?

• W开发者_如何学Pythonhy do we have two (ARM and X86) processor architectures ?
• Why do we generally use ARM architecture for embedded and x86 for workstations ?
• What is a general criteria for selecting one over the other.

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You have evidently led a very sheltered life - there are many more processor architectures than just x86 and ARM.

ARM has very good performance per watt, so is particularly suited to mobile/embedded systems.

There have been desktop systems with ARM CPUs in the past - look up Acorn Archimedes. Unfortunately the lowest common denominator (i.e. Microsoft) currently prevails in the operating system (and therefore application) market-place, but that will not always be the case.