We use 27C040s in an old version of our product. They come it at US$5 each and that's in volumes of 1000s.

So 30UKP for a set programmed is a pretty good deal if you don't even have the burning equipment to start with.

Note also, you'll probably need a UV eraser - although the chips are supposed to come blank sometimes they have some bits programmed.

I'd say buy the programmed ones and if a later version comes out, then consider the purchase of a burner and eraser to upgrade the ones you have already purchased programmed.