Supposedly the drop-in compatibility was so they didn't have to also design a development board right out the gate. I don't know what one could want for a more

Supposedly the drop-in compatibility was so they didn't have to also design a development board right out the gate. I don't know what one could want for a more direct, firsthand account of what it was or wasn't designed to compete with -- Bill Mensch is the guy who did the silicon tape-up for the thing!