Arduino Due Vs Mega 2560
Answer : The 'R3' version boards and shields are compatible with 3.3V and 5V. For example the Ethernet Shield V1 version 'R3' can be used with the Due. The new Arduino Ethernet Shield 2 is also compatible with the Due. Many older shield are not compatible with the Due, but do you really need to use an old shield ? Most sensors are 3.3V, and also a SD memory card is 3.3V. That is a lot easer with the Arduino Due which runs at 3.3V. The Arduino Mega 2560 board is the only board with 10k pullup resistors at SDA and SCL, therefor it has a 5V I2C bus. When a 3.3V sensor with I2C is used, you need a I2C level shifter. When a 3.3V with SPI is used, you need more hardware. The Arduino Mega pins can drive more than 20mA, it can be used to drive 10 leds with 20mA simultaneously, the Arduino Due can't do that. My suggestion is to use an Arduino Uno for all kind of testing. It's always good to have one lying around. Start with an Arduino Uno if you want to learn...