Choosing between two microcontrollers & dev boards starts with a practical fork: do you want a guided PIC programming setup, or an embedded development board with a named processor, memory, and storage? The Microchip PICkit 2 and BeagleBone Black serve different starting points, so the right choice depends on the workflow your project needs first.
Quick verdict
Pick the Microchip PICkit 2 if programming and debugging PIC microcontrollers, using a demo board, and following tutorials are central to the project. Pick the BeagleBone Black if you want an embedded development board and prefer the lower-priced choice. These are different starting points, not interchangeable kit formats.
At a glance
| Choice | Listed price | Core orientation |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip PICkit 2 Starter Kit | USD 80.00 | PIC programming starter kit |
| BeagleBone Black AM3358 | USD 49.99 | Embedded development board |
Where each wins
Microchip PICkit 2 wins for guided PIC learning. Its programming-and-debugging purpose, low-pin-count demo board, tutorials, and example projects create a clear route for students, hobbyists, and embedded-systems learners.
BeagleBone Black wins for a lower-priced board-first setup. It is identified as an embedded development board, making it the more direct choice when the purchase priority is the board itself rather than a PIC programmer and demo-board kit.
Product notes
Microchip PICkit 2 Starter Kit
The Microchip PICkit 2 Starter Kit Programmer + Demo Board PIC16F690 is the focused choice for learning PIC development. The included PIC16F690 provides a concrete microcontroller target, while support for many PIC microcontrollers and EEPROM devices gives the programmer a broader set of listed device targets. Its unopened condition and USB-powered PICkit 2 setup reinforce the kit's intended learning path, which includes tutorials and example projects. The limitation is its USD 80.00 price, which is USD 30.01 above the BeagleBone Black, along with its PIC-centered emphasis. Choose it when the included programmer, debugging capability, and demo-board workflow matter more than selecting the lower-priced board.
BeagleBone Black AM3358
The BeagleBone Black AM3358 Cortex-A8 Embedded Development Board 512MB DDR3 8Gb SD is suited to shoppers who want an embedded board rather than a PIC programming kit. Its AM3358 Cortex-A8 configuration, 512MB DDR3, and 8Gb SD Flash Storage provide a clearly specified hardware starting point for a project. The USD 49.99 price is another concrete reason to choose it in this matchup. The limitation is the package condition and contents: it is used, may show scratches or dents, and no power cable, adapter, or accessories are included. The equipment-only package calls for a board-focused expectation rather than the bundled programmer-and-demo-board workflow of the PICkit 2.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the Microchip PICkit 2 for PIC programming lessons, debugging, or a guided project path built around tutorials and examples.
- Choose the BeagleBone Black for the embedded development board format, especially when its AM3358, 512MB DDR3, and 8Gb SD Flash Storage fit the planned build.
- Choose the BeagleBone Black on price alone: the absolute spread between the two listed prices is USD 30.01. Choose the PICkit 2 instead when its PIC-focused workflow is the deciding feature.
