retrolefty:
For just throwing something quickly on a breadboard to test out some new module or circuit I'm awful fond of the $7 E-bay asian clone Nano boards. Has FTDI on module, mini usb connector, plugs directly into solderless breadboard, provides enough reserve +5vdc current for simple modules/circuits.
+1, especially for the form factor and ftdi.
Even if I work on Linux : there is dramatically less "avrdude not in sync" with FTDI that with 8U2 or 16U2
For final work I prefer mini-pro and ISP programing.