The LaunchPad was created to fully support Texas Instruments latest MSP430 value line. The MSP430 team recognized the need for low cost, high performance 16-bit MCUs, and Texas Instruments delivered over 150 devices under the MSP430G2xx generation that offer low power, and 16-bit performance at 8-bit price points. Compared to low cost 8-bit micros, the MSP430G2xx family offers a 16-bit architecture, more memory, improved timers, and lower power.