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Can someone please explain to me the differences in Lego's following lines?

Technic, Mindstorm, EV*, NXT

I'm looking to get something for an 8yr old to pique his curiosity.

Technic is just mechanics. The other three are quite the same, plus sensors/actuators and programmable.

For a 8 years old I'd start with plain LEGO. And then introduce the rest a little later.

But this depends on what the kid already likes. I see no problem in going straight to programmable stuff if he/she already showed interest in it.