Andres Tarzia wrote:
>> I don't know what is driving the PIC prices, but as I said before, I
don't
>> think that we, as customers, will have a big enough impact as for forcing
>> Microchip to lower prices JUST FOR OUR OPINIONS. Now, if Atmel, Motorola,
>> and/or others start producing alternatives at a lower cost, that is a
>> different story...

Tjaart van der Walt wrote:
>This is the whole point. I have done some research lately on
>'what is out there'. Here is what I found :
>
>On the low range parts (12CXXX) we pay around 30% more for the
>ATMEL and Motorola, but then you get flash instead of OTP.
>
>On the low to mid range parts, you pay around 15% less for
>ATMEL or Motorola, but you also get flash instead of OTP.
>
>On the mid range parts (16C7XX) we are getting ripped by 78%
>more for an OTP Mchip part, as opposed to an ATMEL or Motorola
>(flash again). If you compare it flash vs. flash, you pay
>88% more for a Flash PIC than a flash ATMEL or Motorola.
>(I used the 16F877 as basis for comparison)

As I said before, I also like Atmel parts and I am planning to start
experimenting with them as soon as I have some free time :)

I recognize that I have not made an extensive research, and I agree with you
that some of the MC competing parts LOOKS very good on my computer screen,
but I think that:
- You can't just compare PARTS, FEATURES and PRICES.
because:
. Does the competition have the excellent and extensive documentation that
Microchip has?
. Does the competition (either the manufacturers themselves or the
third-party industries or hobbyists) have readily available do-it-yourself
less-than-$5 programmers with free software for their parts?
. Does they give the development tools (Assemblers, Compilers...) away or do
they charge for them?
. Does the competition offer you In-Circuit-Programming?
. Do they have very-low-pin-count parts? (A lot of projects just doesn't
need 40pin monster chips)
. Does the competition offer you that many different package choices?
. Does they offer such a low consumption at the same performance level?
. Does the competition distribution channels sell you low-volume? Can you
buy just 1 or 2 parts AT THE SAME PRICE?
. Does them even STOCK the parts? That is, can you walk into a store and get
out of it with the chips in your bag? (Yes, we "have" it Sir, we'll send it
to you in 4~6 weeks...)
. Are they available world-wide? (You know, not all of us live in the
States)

Now I have to say that I am not biased on Microchip. I just happen to like
them a lot. Now if you tell me that I can get, not only the chip, but the
whole development tools, availability, etc., for a lower price, then it is
time for a change...

Thank you all for an excellent and healthy discussion here!

Regards,
Andres Tarzia
Technology Consultant, SMART S.A.
e-mail: atarzia@smart.com.ar