Ghostboard pixel

A Debian-Based Distro and Hardware Upgrades Come to the PINE64 RISC-V Tablet

Some notable upgrades for the PineTab-V tablet have arrived.

against a mixed green background, the debian logo, a right pointing arrow, and a pinetab-v

PINE64 has quietly upgraded the PineTab-V tablet, with it now shipping with a new Debian-based Linux distribution developed by StarFive and some new hardware. This new addition to the PINE64 tablet family kicks things up a notch in terms of both utility and software compatibility.

Earlier, the PineTab-V didn't come installed with an operating system and was only available for developers and early adopters back in 2023.

In terms of hardware, this updated model adds a new accelerometer, a fix for a slow charging issue, an LED status indicator light, and a unique identifier for the PineTab-V in the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

The last bit helps the bootloader, OS, or firmware identify that the device is a PineTab-V, allowing for proper hardware detection and configuration.

PineTab-V Specifications

a photo that shows a side view of the pinetab-v with its backlit keyboard stand/cover attached

While what's underneath the upgraded PineTab-V is mostly similar to the previous version, here's a refresher of the specifications:

  • SoC: StarFive JH4110.
  • CPU: 64-bit quad-core 1.5 GHz SiFive U74 RISC-V.
  • GPU: Imagination Technology BXE-4-32.
  • RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM.
  • Display: 10.1 inch 1280×800 IPS.
  • Battery: 6000 mAH Li-Po.
  • Camera: 5 MP primary with LED flash, 2 MP secondary.
  • Storage: 128 GB eMMC module, supports expansion microSDHC and microSDXC cards up to 2 TB.
  • Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 ax/ac/b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.2.
  • Ports: 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1x stereo loudspeaker, 1x USB 3.0 port (front 3.0, rear 2.0), 1x USB Type-C 2.0 port (can be used for charging or debugging), and USB 2.0 docking port.

The StarFive JH7110 SoC (System on Chip) that powers this tablet is a quad-core RISC-V processor that, while not that powerful, is good enough for general tasks. If you're someone who is into experimenting with non-mainstream processor architectures, then you will appreciate that the PineTab-V is one of the most accessible RISC-V devices out there.

What got me most interested in this updated tablet is the Debian-based distro that has been tweaked specifically for RISC-V, giving users a stable foundation with access to thousands of supported packages.

To me, the PineTab-V feels like a small yet notable leap towards making RISC-V more accessible in the mainstream.

🛒 Getting the PineTab-V

The PineTab-V will cost you $225 with the current community pricing in place. Though the listed retail price is $299.99, and I am not sure when the promotional offer will end.

PINE64 also mentions that there might be 1-3 dead pixels on the LCD screens and requests buyers that this device is for development and evaluation purposes only.

It's FOSS turns 13! 13 years of helping people use Linux ❤️

And we need your help to go on for 13 more years. Support us with a Plus membership and enjoy an ad-free reading experience and get a Linux eBook for free.

To celebrate 13 years of It's FOSS, we have a lifetime membership option with reduced pricing of just $76. This is valid until 25th June only.

If you ever wanted to appreciate our work with Plus membership but didn't like the recurring subscription, this is your chance 😃

Get Lifetime Membership of It's FOSS

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to It's FOSS News.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.