Personally I prefer surface mount over dip on anything other than when I'm using a solderless breadboard as drilling holes(without messing up traces) is a PITA.

Personally I prefer surface mount over dip on anything other than when I'm using a solderless breadboard as drilling holes(without messing up traces) is a PITA. But the DIPs are readily available on the *Zon and for fast delivery too! Of course SMT also requires somewhat of a lab I suppose as a hot air tool is the way to go.