I paid for a sizably more expensive ($60+) kit with one (or more properly, had one paid for for me for Christmas) because it's a ready to go kit with a USB-serial interface, some other support circuitry, and firmware in it already.
I suppose if I ever blow up the microcontroller I'll buy an unprogrammed one and reprogram + install it, but by far the compelling thing about it is that you get all of the parts in one box and can start tinkering on Christmas day. If you just get the MC you have to get a breadboard, USB support guts, and any other stuff separately before you can start using it.
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I paid for a sizably more expensive ($60+) kit with one (or more properly, had one paid for for me for Christmas) because it's a ready to go kit with a USB-serial interface, some other support circuitry, and firmware in it already.
I suppose if I ever blow up the microcontroller I'll buy an unprogrammed one and reprogram + install it, but by far the compelling thing about it is that you get all of the parts in one box and can start tinkering on Christmas day. If you just get the MC you have to get a breadboard, USB support guts, and any other stuff separately before you can start using it.