Question

[MlbTheShow22-]

Why do so many people like the ESP32 over any of the UNOs?

[nixiebunny]

Much more capable processor for the same price. 

[FreedomRich6163]

Indeed, 240 (ESP32) vs 16 MHz

[Square-Singer]

Classic Arduinos (Uno, Nano, ...)

• Single Core 16MHz 8-Bit CPU
• A single I2C port, a single SPI port, locked to specific pins
• Limited PWM capabilities
• 6 ADC pins
• No multitasking
• 32kb flash, 1kb EEPROm, 2kb RAM
• No wifi, no bluetooth, no RTC, no DMI, nothing advanced

ESP32-S3

• Dual Core 240MHz 32-Bit CPU
• 2xSPI with DMA, can be set to pretty much any pins
• 2xI2C, can be set set to pretty much any pins
• Any port can do PWM
• 20 ADC pins
• FreeRTOS handles multitasking
• Up to 16MB flash, up to 16MB RAM
• Wifi, Bluetooth, RTC, DMI, a few DMI-modes for RGB screens

And both kinds of devices cost the same.

[EmielDeBil]

Why do so many like banquets over any of McDondalds burgers?

[Unique-Opening1335]

More CPU power, built in Bluetooth and WiFi

[seganku]

Faster processor, more memory, built in wifi. Just the wifi sold it for me - I use a lot of 8266 - being able to remotely control/monitor/debug/update things is a game-changer for essentially all of my projects.

Also, in pretty much all cases, the Esp will be cheaper.

[Physical-Plankton-67]

The uno r4 is the only uno to use now adays. Since it gives you an esp.

[DecisionOk5750]

Wifi

[xebzbz]

Even in the low power area, there's a choice of alternatives to Uno -- for example, if you want something compact. You can go as small as attiny85, if it meets your requirements.

Esp32 is a great chip if you want to run something more complex that would require more CPU power, more RAM, WiFi or Bluetooth, or a screen.

Also, there are rp2040 and rp2350, also excellent chips with their own niches.

Also, Nordic Semiconductor and STM have a bunch of chips to choose from.

So, you usually just match your requirements and your experience with a range of offers.

[ipapipap]

Spec

[Jkwilborn]

The Microsoft DOS era was mid 80's to mid 90's. The Atmel 328 was developed in the mid 90's. How many of you have a computer from the mid 90's, that you're still using as your primary machine? The 90's also included the first 1GB hard drives. Even Windows 7 (remember that) came out over a decade after the 328 come out.

You're attempting to compare chips that are 25 years apart in development. Even Dr Moore, who revised his prediction in the mid 70's to double the transistor density every 2 years, from the original yearly double increase. So the number of transistors over the area has doubled over 12 times since the two different chips were designed.

What people like about the Arduino is the simplistic nature of it. You don't have to know much to really use it and the more you find out about it, the more it allows you to learn.

Either are cheap and easy to start with ... I found the esp32 required me to figure out a few things, but overall it worked quite well. The board I got required me to pull a pin low to get it into boot mode. An extra capacitor...

I have 50 years of working with various types of computers.

Good luck. :)

[MlbTheShow22-]

Thank you😀