What Micro Should I Buy?

[TheSlamProgram]

Hello everyone,

I'm relatively new to hobby electronics if you don't count making a shake flashlight in fourth grade, but I'm a freshman studying Computer Science and Physics in college. I'm looking to get some sort of prototyping platform reasonably cheap (under $50). The obvious choices are the Raspberry Pi and the Arduino, but I've heard of some other off-brand projects that are decent as well. I don't intend to do anything ridiculous with it, maybe some servo control or I2C type applications and I'm thinking about a couple of possible integrated applications though I won't be doing anything with those ideas for a couple years. Just hoping to get a few recommendations from people that have used these kinds of things before. Which ones are better for what applications? Which ones are easiest to learn on and have good documentation? As a side note: I currently have experience in python and java, but I am willing and able to learn any language if it has good documentation.

 

EDIT: I should also ask what model would be the best to go with.

Edited November 19, 2016 by TheSlamProgram

[Electronics Wizardy]

Id probably get a arduino. 

 

Most micro's will do simmilar things(you don't seem to have any specific requirements), but what your getting is the community and good software and cool projects and guides. 

 

Later on when your working on building a object to sell, you will start looking at digikey or the like for a micro that fits your exact needs, but a arduino is great for now.

[dany_boy]

If you have never used a micro before, just go for an arduino. Simple, cheap, well documented, and more tutorials than you can poke a stick at. Seriously, the arduino was designed specifically for beginners. No reason to look for anything else if you are just starting and all you want to do is some simple interfacing with the real world. Just consider that most artduino's are laughably underpowered for more advanced projects, specially those that require heavy calculations.

Cheers

[MarieKirya]

Above two posters are suggesting the Arduino, and I agree with their points.

 

However if you're studying Computer Science, there may be more benefit in picking up a Raspberry Pi instead as it would give you experience with a small Linux system to program rather than simple AVR. Honestly at the prices you can find a Raspberry Pi Zero and a Arduino kit, there's no reason to not own both. It would cost no more than 40-50 dollars and you'd see the advantages and disadvantages to both.

[r4tch3t]

I agree with @MarieKirya ,  you should  get both.  the arduino is best for embedded applications, smaller projects. I have used many arduino chips in my projects, I have 3 in my power supply (because I could). rpi  is good for things like remote cameras and things where a gui  is useful as well as many other things. 

[Huntsman]

I'm waiting for the PIC guys to come in and defend their honor lol...

 

Aside from that, for 50 bucks you could get alot of stuff. Like they said, a bit of Arduino and Rpi should do you good. Don't bother with those lesser known brands as they don't offer the same amount of documentation nor community support. Only go for those if you've had some experience with the mainstream stuff.