I have been involved with a simple project at work to build 55 field re-programmers for a product we make. The case has a few bits of electronics in it including a 50 cent micro, and a $1 voltage converter. Rather than design a small circuit board for the micro and regulator, the company elected to buy the parts in “development kit” form.
Imagine their surprise when TI got an order for 55 MSP430 and 55 12V to 3.3V regulator development kits . Who in their right minds orders 55 development kits? Who in their right minds then spends a few hours opening up all the boxes to extract the tiny circuit boards and then throwing away the rest? I guess I do.