Why it issues: The laptop computer makers at Framework are at it once more, pushing the bounds of what is doable with their modular and repairable machines. This time, they’ve partnered with DeepComputing to launch a brand new RISC-V-based mainboard. If it takes off, it may assist jumpstart software program improvement for this instruction set on laptop-sized {hardware}.
For the uninitiated, RISC-V is an open-source, royalty-free instruction set that anybody can implement with out paying licensing charges. It is totally different from the x86 chips from Intel and AMD that energy most laptops and desktops right now, that are closed off behind an online of patents and cross-licensing offers.
RISC-V has been making waves in low-power chips like microcontrollers and embedded techniques, however this new board from Framework and DeepComputing marks one of many first makes an attempt to carry it to shopper laptops and desktops.
The RISC-V Mainboard rocks a quad-core 1.5GHz StarFive JH7110 processor based mostly on SiFive’s U74 CPU design. That is supported by 8GB of soldered LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, which is not user-upgradeable like Framework’s different x86 mainboards.
Since it is a totally different instruction set, software program assist is pretty restricted. For now, the board formally solely runs Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or Fedora 41, with all technical assist coming courtesy of the DeepComputing staff. Different main working techniques have not jumped on the RISC-V bandwagon fairly but.
However that is form of the purpose: this mainboard prices simply $199 and is designed for builders who need to get their arms soiled with RISC-V to assist develop its software program ecosystem. As Framework’s CEO Nirav Patel places it, the objective is to allow builders, tinkerers, and hobbyists to start out testing and creating on RISC-V.
Being a Framework product, the RISC-V board is supposed to fit proper into the corporate’s modular Laptop computer 13 chassis. You’ll be able to choose up a boardless base with simply the display, a 55Wh battery, audio system, and keyboard for $399 if you would like to show this into a correct laptop computer.
That mentioned, the RISC-V Mainboard is definitely not meant to be a shopper product – no less than not but. The restricted efficiency and lack of user-upgradable RAM or storage make that clear. However for these wanting to push RISC-V improvement additional, it appears like a wonderful proposition.
