There are many cheap ARM eval boards around, I set a goal to find the cheapest! The cheapest so far I have found is the STM32 discovery http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/proces...-kits/7458434/ for £10. No wait, here is a cheaper one! http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/proces...-kits/7587554/

I've got one of the former, haven't done anything with it yet. Instead I build one of the LPC1343 boards you can here http://code.google.com/p/micropendou.../Older_Designs. The nice thing about the LPC chips is they come with a USB bootloader built in, it loads likes a USB flash drive. You just need the GNU compiler and you can start using it.

I have been using it to make a Control Panel for a 3d printer, you can just make out the board here http://www.flickr.com/photos/4829929...in/photostream

There are some many options now, we are spoilt for choice. The only thing is if you are into DIY hardware, there are virtually no ARM chips in a DIP package, all LQFP or smaller. The '1343 board above is not too hard to build, I used the two soldering iron technique, a magnifier, and patience ;)

I have some spare blank PCB's if anyone wants one, most of the parts are available via RS or Farnell.

ETA; design files and sample firmware for my project is at https://github.com/bobc/bobc_hardware