Babar,

PC COMPUTERS ARE BETTER THAN APPLES!
====================================
Let's not get into a Microsoft-vs-Apple debate of a lesser level. :-)

A BETTER ANALOGY:
=================
Rather than a swimming analogy as you framed it... I'd suggest the analogy is more like this:

You want to cross the river. You can swim. Its close enough to swim without much danger.

One friend says, "Swim... it will be fun".

Another says, "Hey, there is a road bridge... take your car... you'll enjoy the ride.

DID I MENTION...
================
...that the Philips 8051 comes with an 8-Track Tape Player (hehe), 5 drink holders and a radar detector too!...

:-)

-Jay C. Box

P.S. I admit I don't know anything about Atmel but my advice is independent of company - its merely to learn with "elbow room." Use a big Atmel, use a big Philips, use a big DS... I'll initial that. That's all I say on Philips VS Atmel. :-)