Not sure about the updateable part (I have not heard of them not being able). You can also grab homebrew chips for that kind of cash which have a decent level of support as well: http://www.eurasia.nu/shop/product_info.php?products_id=338
As for lack of paypal your best bet is one of those prepaid credit/debit cards:
it apparently does US ones as well: http://www.compareprepaid.co.uk/