Seems this kind of adapter is cheap. This eeprom adapter is about EUR7.50. I bet we could special-order a bulk of 50 pieces or so and they would design a special part that suits our needs - for free, or for a good price.
Moving to PLCC/SMT type package is more about conserving space than more power.
The current chips being used in MB is quite capable for current and most future designs, so ‘more power’ is not an issue for +90% of the MB projects out there.
PLCC or SMT packages on the board require ICSP connectors for programming, and that, more than anything else is what keeps MB using DIP packs. Soldering SMT is really not too difficult with home hobby gear. A good tutorial would put everyone in the loop.
However, those without PIC burners would need to build their core, then return it to someone for PIC burning, then have it shipped back to them. An unmounted SMT can not be coded.
Putting the chip on an adaptor certainly solves the problem, but causes new ones in that someone must mount them all before burning them. Not to mention, the whole point of SMT is to SAVE space, not to use even more than space.
There is nothing to stop you from using the faster/higher ram SMT/PLCC PIC parts in your own board. The thing is, if you REALLY need that extra ram/speed/etc… then you are likely designing your own PCBs from scratch anyway, and might as well mount your PIC directly.
Ok, so in the case of a PLCC package, its actually not a problem at all to mount. PLCC packages are usually available in thru-hole styles (In fact I dont remember ever seeing a surface mount PLCC socket), so absolutely no problem using PLCC packages in MidiBox cores there.
The biggest fault of PLCC packages is the single/low quantity cost for sockets is rather high. Couple that with the fact that there are very few PLCC package PIC chips that are not also available in DIP packages and thus PLCC is just not a contender for home hobby jobs.
That adaptor by the way is really more for breadboarding. Easy prototyping on DIP row socket boards and such. On a printed PCB however, the PLCC socket is a breeze to solder in.
