On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 16:55:14 -0500, Ken Pergola wrote:
> Stef Mientki wrote:
>
> > I just received the engineering review from Maxim.
> > If I only take a look at the pictures,
> > we should immediately stop using PICs and AVRs and go for Maxim.
> > Judge yourself:
> >  http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/ej/MER_3.pdf
>
> Hi Stef,
>
> Will make interesting reading.
>
> The PIC18 architecture has been out since 1999 -- I wish Maxim used it for
> comparison instead of the midrange PICs.

I'm glad they included the MSP430 family also, I've been using a lot of
them lately.

After reading quickly through the article, it's obvious some sales geek
wrote it. Lots of real world considerations not accounted for in the
comparisons and benchmarking (like the fact their power consumption
benchmarks were from *simulations*). We'll see how the chips really
perform when real silicon arrives on the scene.

Oh, and by the way -- I can actually *BUY* PICs, AVRs and MSP430's.
Even if these new Maxim chips were real, I think most PIClisters know
how realiable Maxim is for having stock available. I won't even get
into pricing issues...

And another thing, they only list Keil as the preferred tool source.
Anyone familiar with Keil knows their tools are excellent, but we are
looking at >$2500 for a C compiler/Assembler/Debugger suite. Ouch. So
much for hobbyists or projects on a budget.

Call me a skeptic, I'll be surprised if these chips are anything but
moderately successful. They don't do anything that much better than the
PIC, AVR or MSP430 family -- and those chip families all have a solid
infrastructure complete with low-cost 3rd party tools available.

Matt Pobursky
Maximum Performance Systems

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