Where do I find a cheap developement board?
Because you say: "All I need is cheap", you should take a look at the MSP LaunchPad. You will get it for about 5$.

Another very popular platform is the Arduino. On Sparkfun for about 30$.

Remark: These boards all use microcontrollers (not microprocessors).



TI Launchpad.

Complete development system for $US4.30 (cable included)
(Some programming required)



TI say:


LaunchPad now includes support for new &amp; future G2xx Value Line devices. Click here for more information. March 2011.

The MSP-EXP430G2 LaunchPad is an easy-to-use flash programmer and debugging tool that provides everything you need to start developing on MSP430 Value Line devices. 

It includes a 14-/20-pin DIP socketed target board with integrated emulation to quickly program and debug MSP430 Value Line devices in-system through the Spy Bi-Wire (2-wire JTAG) protocol. 

The flash memory can be erased and programmed in seconds with no external power supply required due to the MSP430's ultra-low power flash.

The LaunchPad interfaces MSP430 devices to an integrated software environment such as Code Composer Studio Version 4 or IAR Embedded Workbench. These IDEs are free and unrestricted on MSP430 Value Line devices. The LaunchPad supports all MSP430G2xx flash parts in a 14 or 20 pin DIP package (TI package code: N).

The LaunchPad also features on-board programmable LEDs and buttons for custom projects and applications! 10-pin PCB connectors are also provided for attaching additional devices to the LaunchPad.

Free downloadable versions of IAR Kickstart and Code Composer Studio Ver 4 integrated development environments are available and include an assembler, linker, simulator, source-level debugger, and C-compiler. These free IDEs are unrestricted on MSP430 Value Line devices.


Launchpad home

Projects page about 70 user contributed projects.

Capacitive touch boosterpack - $10 - plugs into launchpad. 


The Capacitive Touch BoosterPack (430BOOST-CAPTOUCH1) is a plug in board for the $4.30 MSP430 Value Line LaunchPad development kit (MSP-EXP430G2 - sold separately). The Capacitive Touch BoosterPack ($10) features several capacitive touch elements including a scroll wheel, button and proximity sensor. Also, on-board are 9 LEDs that provide instant feedback as users interact with the capacitive touch elements. In addition, a timer-based UART enables communication to a PC for feedback via GUI or hyperterminal. This BoosterPack also includes a pre-programmed MSP430G2452IN20 Value Line device.

When paired with the LaunchPad kit, the Capacitive Touch BoosterPack provides a complete hardware and software reference design to enable developers to quickly and easily replace any physical button with a capacitive touch element. This is the simplest, most cost effective solution for adding capacitive touch differentiation in many applications such as consumer electronics, point of sales machines and other devices with a physical button.




Other related TI MSP430 development tools

and more ! ...