The 32-bit boards have other advantages too, such as software control of motor currents, built-in web interface, and high speed uploading to the SD card (via HTTP or FTP in the case of the Duet). You could do digital control of motor currents with an 8-bit solution, but not the other two. I know there are add-on solutions for controlling 8-bit printer electronics from a web interface, but a web server that controls the printer over USB using gcodes can't compete with having a direct HTTP interface into the printer firmware, which is free from the serial gcode interface and so can provide printer status in real time.
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