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Arduino

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    I agree, although I think also for learning it might be better to use cheaper ones than burning real ones (although they have more protection). So far I burnt one and that was a genuine one (after putting it in a case and used a 12V adapter). Commented Jul 31, 2017 at 15:36
  • 3
    That is fine if you are going to treat them as a disposable item. Use it a few times and throw it away. Personally I have two Uno R2 boards that I have had for many years and treated them like crud. They will work well. Commented Jul 31, 2017 at 15:39
  • 7
    I don't think even a supposedly superior "genuine" board would have protection on the I/O pins for instance, at least any of the popular standard ones. At most, they might be using a regulator that has better overcurrent protection. And it shouldn't be too hard to put a better regulator on a cheap Chinese board, and save a lot of money by avoiding boards where the price is 20% substance and 80% brand image. Commented Jul 31, 2017 at 18:40
  • 4
    This is generally good advice, but keep in mind, there are exceptions. My first Arduino was a Chinese clone (cost about £3 and came with a USB cable too) but it has managed to outlive two genuine ones, even though I usually try risky things on it first. Commented Jul 31, 2017 at 21:05
  • 4
    @AleksandurMurfitt The USB cable on it probably has so little metal in the power wires it acts like a resistor limiting the current and protecting everything ;) Commented Jul 31, 2017 at 21:06