AVRs are fine, but
- no means to run from RAM, internal nor external (no external program memory)
- worst, they still have little internal RAM
- the efficiency of code is often less than '51 (2 bytes per instruction and many good '51 instructions missing, e.g. bit manipulation), so sometimes code memory is also not enough - and cannot be expanded externally.

No, I still think the '51 can be gain over with a (relatively cheap) trick or two.


Jan Waclawek

PS. Yes, the PICs were/are horror for me, too!