The bad: a higher learning curve (getting stuff cross compiled and downloaded).
The good: you can make the CPU actually do things, like blink LED's or control relays.
And, I have some embedded dev kits I'm prepared to part with at very reasonable prices, such as a Jackrabbit kit or a eZ80. Jackrabbit has quicker learning curve, but isn't ANSI C. BTW, I can tell you CANOpen does not have a quick learning curve - I'm having problems getting preprogrammed stuff just to recognize each other.
--Tony