hardware-fundamentals on toorun.devhttps://toorun.dev/tags/hardware-fundamentals/Recent content in hardware-fundamentals on toorun.devHugo -- gohugo.ioen-usWed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000MCU vs CPU vs MPU: Understanding Processors and Microcontrollershttps://toorun.dev/posts/mcu-vs-cpu-vs-mpu-understanding-processors-and-microcontrollers/Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://toorun.dev/posts/mcu-vs-cpu-vs-mpu-understanding-processors-and-microcontrollers/Quick Definition Three terms that often confuse beginners in embedded systems: Term Full Name Purpose Complexity CPU Central Processing Unit Execute instructions in general-purpose computing High MPU Microprocessor Unit Execute instructions with memory management Medium-High MCU Microcontroller Unit Control and automation in embedded systems Low-Medium The key insight: CPU and MPU are processors; MCU is a complete computer on a chip. CPU (Central Processing Unit) A CPU is the brain of your desktop, laptop, or server.