Getting started with STM32 Discovery boards

[SS L.1]

Hello,

        Im looking forward to get started with STM32 MCUs, planning to begin with a Discovery kit. Have few questions, before I get going.

- Kindly suggest a Discovery kit, which has been there for sometime and is general purpose.

- For code development, is Mac OS good enough or should I switch to Windows?

- If there is any post with a learning path, may kindly share the link to the same.

Many Thanks.

[STTwo-32]

Hello @SS L.1 @and welcome to our ST World.

• I suggest you to start using the https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/stm32f4discovery.html 
• The MAC OS should do the job.
• I suggest you start from the step by step trainings on this wiki. Also, lots of tutorials are available on YouTube that can explain almost all you are looking for

Don’t hesitate to poste here on the ST Community if you have any questions.

Best Regards.

STTwo-32

[Andrew Neil]

Welcome to the forum.

---

@SS L.1 wrote:

looking forward to get started with STM32 MCUs.

---

Do you have experience with any other MCU(s) ?

On getting started:

https://community.st.com/t5/stm32-mcus-products/for-better-learning-stm32-programming-and-debugging/m-p/719468/highlight/true#M260690

ST's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=stmicroelectronics 

---

@SS L.1 wrote:

- For code development, is Mac OS good enough or should I switch to Windows?

---

I think you will find that the majority of users here are on Windows.

Sticking with the crowd may increase you chances of getting help ...

[Pavel A.]

> - For code development, is Mac OS good enough or should I switch to Windows?

If you know Windows and are comfortable with it, definitely get a (decent) Windows machine. You won't regret it.

> - If there is any post with a learning path, may kindly share the link to the same.

Learning path to where? Are you interested in edge ML/AI, vision, sensors or motion control? Because the old  "embedded" stuff is not cool anymore. Too late to start with that.

[SS L.1]

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

-> Does Microsoft Surface (based on Qualcomm ARM) work? I mean any compatibility issues with STM software packages or it works.

-> Would like to go along with edge ML/AI and sensors.

Thanks once again.

[Andrew Neil]

Take a look at the new 'Learning'  area:

https://community.st.com/t5/stm32-online-courses/bg-p/STM32_learning

Also the 'Developer Zone':

https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/stm32-mcu-developer-zone.html 

[Pavel A.]

You want to be productive, not to show off. So not any ARM, not yet. Get the most common, fast, powerful and reliable Intel or AMD laptop, with at least two normal USB ports.

[Andrew Neil]

SW development doesn't need especially fast or powerful.

Lots of RAM and fast SSD will help most.

Also a decent sized screen - preferably, multiple screens.

Touch isn't going to be a great benefit for SW development.