Fair enough, but the device in question would have to be made in serious quantity to feel the difference (though that is a rational use-case). Per digikey, the

Fair enough, but the device in question would have to be made in serious quantity to feel the difference (though that is a rational use-case). Per digikey, the cheapest 8-bit PIC is 0.35 USD in MOQ of 3K. When 15 cents matters to your BOM cost, you know you are making a lot of things :)