Help selecting Inventors Kit

Kits SparkFun Inventor's Kit
1

Hello, I’m looking for a good kit to give as a gift to a post-highschooler with a beginner’s interest in programming and electronics.

What is the difference between the “SparkFun Inventor’s Kit for MicroPython” and SparkFun Inventor’s Kit - v4.1.2, which has a lower price? The projects appear to be the same, and I’m not sure what MicroPython is that would make that version more expensive.

I’m also wondering if using the Rasberry Pi microcontroller is a good start to learning to use a more advanced Pi in the future. Is the language and IDE the same for both? Does learning on a microcontroller also get you started working with the GPIO on the SBC Pi’s?

There are cheaper kits on the internet, but I’m gathering these SparkFun kits are better quality both in the hardware and the instructional materials. Are there any other differences between these and other-brand starter kits that I should know about?

Thank you for helping out someone new to this!

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The major difference is they have different main boards (RP2350 vs Redboard Qwiic), and a different screen. There’s also a bit more development on the RP2350 version, as it can run both Arduino and/or micropython code

Yes, most any MCU is a good starting point to learn how to interface with GPIO pins…Pi’s aren’t much different, and the RP2350 actually is a Pi chip, just not one of their full-fledged versions :wink:

There are some language differences but those are just a 5 minute youtube explainer away from being understood