Take a look at the various Evaluation Kits that manufacturers provide.  Whichever processor you choose, you can usually find an evaluation board with high-quality construction, support software, cables, books and power supplies for a song. As an example, we did some work with a BX-24 single chip computer recently. All the above items cost $99 and you can buy extra hardware for a small part of that.  You can be programming 15 minutes after the UPS man knocks on your door.

Regards,
  Peter Militch

 
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