Does anyone know if I have to pay for microchip chip samples?
https://www.microchip.com/samples/
Thanks.
Ask Microchip if you qualify for free samples.
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Will see. need to make a account first.
It depends on how they perceive you. If you work for a company then it maybe free.
Especially if they think there is a chance it might be used in your mass produced product.
It is unlikely they will charge you, you would get a refusal to supply a sample.
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In my experience they range from free to get them from one of our distributors. Sometimes the samples and shipping was free, others it was free samples and I paid shipping and some even charged for parts and shipping. It varies from supplier, the parts and your relationship with them.
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Historically, Microchip was very lax about verifying the "commercial" status of people requesting samples, and pretty much anyone could get free samples.
And chips would show up on eBay in sample-sized lots, looking very much like this generosity was being exploited 
I believe that they somewhat cracked down, and will no longer send samples to people with "commodity" email addresses (yahoo, gmail, hotmail, etc.) You should be good if you have a more professional email address.
You're probably OK if you have a university or school email address. "Grooming" young people is a thing that CPU vendors have been doing for decades. If you can't get samples, chances are that your professor or teacher can get them for you.
(Policies may vary depending on destination country.)
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Might check because why not?
My email system is not listed…..
I will make an account in about 2 weeks will let you how it goes.
Really want some chips.
I think someone asked and then deleted a post about what chips I would like to sample.
Probably a ATmega4802 some other AVRs maybe a EEPROM and a Digital pot.
Got the sample account!
Samples shipping in 3 days!
Any ideas for what to get?
Since chips (and most components) tend to be cheap the biggest obstacle for me has been minimum orders.
But if you're in the U.S., Mouser doesn't have a minimum order (1) so it's usually just a matter of "justifying" the shipping cost. Ou can spend $1 on a part and $7 or $8 for UPS.
And, I'm in the habit of buying extras (usually at least one extra) because I might fry it or it might be bad or I might suspect it's bad and I can try another one (etc.). And I won't need to order "one more stupid part".
(1) I think they do have a minimum order for resistors and other super-cheap parts. ...I don't know because I've never tried to order one regular-little resistor or one regular-little diode, etc.
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I'd recommend choosing parts with a form factor you know you can assemble if you just want to try stuff for fun. If it's too small, you might regret it if you don't have the right soldering equipment 
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Yes will only be buying DIP chips.
No soldering iron yet.
Thanks for the tip!
I think I hit a sample order limit. Can't place any more orders.
Pity only placed 3 orders and a total of 5-4 different parts...
Will contact support.
I might wait a few weeks/days/months/years/decades/centuries.
Any other ideas?
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