SAM D20 Xplained Pro Evaluation Kit

If you're an AVR/PIC programmer and interested in taking things to the next level with ARM, but terrified by the thought of expensive tools and starting all over again with a new microcontroller. We have two really good suggestions to get you started with the ARM Cortex M0 starter processor:

1. Atmel SAM ARM line is low cost, and they provide a tool free of charge. Try this Cortex M0 dev kit:

SAM D20 Xplained Pro Evaluation Kit:http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATSAMD20-XPRO.aspx

Atmel Studio: http://www.atmel.com/tools/atmelstudio.aspx?tab=overview

2. ST Micro makes the fastest Cortex processors out there, but they don't develop their own tool. However, their silicon is so good, you can't ignore them. Luckily there is a free tool called CooCox that supports the ST ARM product line, so if you really want power then we suggest the ST ARM processors:

ST Discovery Cortex M0 Dev Kit:http://www.st.com/web/catalog/tools/FM116/SC959/SS1532/LN1199/PF259100?s_searchtype=partnumber

Free CooCox IDE/Tool: http://www.coocox.org/index.html

We prefer the ST Micro products, but Atmel is a good second option (as well as Freescale). However, the #1 problem you will have is not silicon, but the TOOLS -- so we like CooCox since its totally free and as good or BETTER than many of the ARM tools that are $2000-5000, and CooCox is really targeted toward ST Micro parts.

And if you want more power then try the Cortex M4F, it's VERY fast! And only a couple dollars more. Both vendors have similar dev kits for the Cortex M4F as well -- it's what we are using for our new line of gaming and wearable computers we are developing, so you can't go wrong with the Cortex M4F, but if you are just starting out the M0 is great to get your feet wet with ARM.