In SX Microcontrollers, SX/B Compiler and SX-Key Tool, Jon Williams wrote:

The BS2sx is a really a single-board-computer in a DIP format; it includes a core microcontroller (the SX28) to run the PBASIC interpreter, a resonator to clock the chip, an EEPROM to store your compiled PBASIC program and nonvolatile user data, a power supply, and the programming connection which makes it a simple task to connect to the PC for programming (nothing special required).  Note that the BS2sx can only be programmed in PBASIC.

The SX (SX18, SX28, SX48, SX52) is a microcontroller that programs in SX assembly code, and has other languages available for it (SX/B, for example, is very much like PBASIC and compiles to SX assembly code).  It is up to you to connect an appropriate clock source, an EEPROM if you need nonvolatile storage for your program, etc.  The SX requires the SX-Key or SX-Blitz for programming.

With the BS2sx you get speed of development; the module is ready-to-go and the programming language is simple to use.  With the raw SX development time is longer, but the payoff is in execution speed.  So, it's up to you?  Do you have an application that needs to be ready next week and doesn't require extraordinary execution speed?  Then the BS2sx might be the best way to go.  If, however, you've got time to develop the circuit and code, and you need execution speed that is not available on an interpreted controller like the BS2sx then it is worth buying the development tools and taking the time to learn the SX.

In the end they are both just tools.

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