For hobbyists and students (me being both :-)), I would say the
extensive documentation, ready availibility of free samples and cheap
DIY programmers (although I began with the PICSTART in the school
lab...) clinch the deal.

I first became interested in uCs the summer after freshman year, because
I wanted to make my digital logic project, a sort of analog synthesizer
spread over 20+ breadboards, into a much sleeker project with more
features. I read up about uCs, and decided to try a few. I ordered
samples from Microchip, Atmel and Maxim (some 8051 cousin).

Atmel was (and is) horrible with samples, at least to US university EE
students. Nothing came, and I had to try thrice before a shoddy, *brown
shopping bag-paper wrapped* package came from the local reps with the chips.

I didn't go with the 8051 because of the lack of authoritative
documentation (though lots of good, unofficial stuff is out there).

The PIC's app notes/ref manuals were mesmerizing. Our school lab, in
addition to "universal" programmers, also had a few PICSTARTs. And
that..was it.

Cheers,
-Ishaan

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