Atmel has some good products, but I find it tough to base production =20
items on a company that AFAIK still hasn't turned a profit.  And if =20
you think you had problems with Microchip support, then best of luck =20
with Atmel.  I requested samples from Atmel, never received them, then =20
called a few times (Digikey & Mouser were out of them btw).  Samples =20
only came after the local FAE wanted to meet me.  He gave me a free =20
AVR Dragon programmer, which I never was able to get working, and =20
subsequent emails to the FAE were not responded to.  Then there's that =20
whole thing with their lawyers not agreeing to keep any discussions I =20
have with the FAE confidential.  A lot of their support is through the =20
forum (which IIRC is supported by Atmel), but I have not been able to =20
register (not receiving confirmation emails), and can't reach anyone =20
to assist with that.  And Atmel allegedly has a lot of chip shortages.

Microchip isn't perfect, but I can usually call an FAE for help if I =20
can't get an answer on the forum (and I've called FAE's in Texas when =20
I was in a bind/rush).  Yes, they've had shortages too, but only once =20
was I in a bind and called up an FAE I knew in Texas, who scoured the =20
office for 17 pieces of a PIC and sent it to me -- at no charge.

My perception of Atmel, since they're partnering with the Arduino =20
folks now, is that they're moving to primarily support the hobbyist =20
market.  To each their own, so you need to decide what works best for =20
you.  If you've a hobbyist, I think you'll be fine with Atmel.

Cheers,
-Neil.



Quoting enkitec@gmail.com:

> On 12-Nov-11 08:48, jana1972@centrum.cz wrote:
>> I think can spend my time on learning AVR instead
>>
>>
>
>      You won't regret that decision!
>
>      I changed to AVR some ten years ago.
>
>      Mark Jordan
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
> View/change your membership options at
> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
>



--=20
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.