We’ve been using ARM Cortex M3 processors for quite a while now, and are big fans. Recently we have started using the M0 variants, and boy do they offer great value for money!
For as little as 50 pence you get a fully-fledged 32bit processor with plenty of Flash and RAM, and all the normal I/O, ADCs and timers you want in an embedded microcontroller, in a tiny low-power package.
They make the Atmel ATMEGA8 (our old favourite) look positively antiquated, let alone that horror of the last century – the PIC!
To date we’ve stuck to the STM32 range, however NXP are a hot contender for price-sensitive applications.
What isn’t there to like?