I see people posting pictures of computers (ATMs, ad screens, digital signs, instruments, etc) failing and instead showing some Windows function, update, or the desktop. Makes me wonder: WHY would you use Windows this way? Think of how many product keys you'll have to buy and how many systems you'll need maintain to show a stupid sign? There's GOT to be a cheaper way of doing things like this.

I can think of two reasons:

1. There are no alternatives for the software they use for Linux
2. These people think Linux is too hard to use

Well. License for an ATM is irrelevant.

Yes it might cost $100 (probably a lot less) but the ATM it self cost $2000-$4000+

Then you might need drivers for card readers, number pad and such which might not be available for linux.

In the end it just is not worth it.

Cash registers and lots and lots of other built in machines uses windows.

Things have started to shift, but many of these machines runs for many years and most do not like to have to support multiple platforms at once.

Windows embedded is licensed differently from desktop windows, so while it's still more expensive, it's not as expensive as it could be.

My bank's ATMs run on Linux :)