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Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

pine64.org

141–150 of 250 posts

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#141

I want this, but with a 7" display: smaller, lighter, better power efficiency (display is the main draw). i.e. a netbook

There's an 11" model, IMO that puts it somewhere within netbook territory.

Assuming the same height/width proportions, it would have (11/7)^2 = 2.47 times the area. Quite a bit bigger.

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm think those reviews are more or less fluff pieces. First, they intentionally gloss over the performance aspect; as a owner of multiple ARM boards, I can tell you that the A53 performance is terrible for desktop usage; it's not even good for headless servers (although "terrible" is relative). Second, I'm very skeptical about the 64-bit claim, which they haven't investigated. While ARM CPUs are 64-bit themselves, A…

I’m curious about Aarch64. Is it like x86 where you can just install a generic Aarch64 kernel and operating system and just make it works or do I have to build a very specific system for that board like images that are specifically aimed at the pi? To be clear I’m really interested on the Rock64 boards but I don’t like any of their OS options. It would be great to be able to use the Aarch64 port of Alpine Linux on th…

In general, SBC SOCs require customizations due to (at least) bootloader and blobs. On top of those, there are typically other patches to expose various functionalities (eg. cooling).

There's surprising little information about 64-bit SBC O/S. It's possible that 64 bits don't give so much performance improvement, or that they increase the power consumption - not sure. It seems that nobody really took the time (and distro...) to do an accurate comparison.

Having said that, curiously, SUSE actually produced a 64-bit distro (https://www.suse.com/c/suse-linux-enterprise-server-raspberr...), due to them already having an ARM distribution. I'll actually try it at some point - I'm very curious. More direct download link: https://www.suse.com/de-de/products/arm/raspberry-pi/

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#143
post #83

I'm also working on an ARM notebook in the spirit of Novena called Reform: http://mntmn.com/reform/ This version is 32-bit, but it has 4 cores @ 1.2GHz and 4GB of RAM. Also, it is actually open source, meaning that all the electronic design files (made in KiCAD) are available on GitHub and as soon as we have decided on the correct formats the same will be true for the mechanical/case parts, so you will be even able t…

They're a bit out of my price range for the moment

I just wanted to say though. I absolutely love the hacker aesthetic those laptops have going on

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm think those reviews are more or less fluff pieces. First, they intentionally gloss over the performance aspect; as a owner of multiple ARM boards, I can tell you that the A53 performance is terrible for desktop usage; it's not even good for headless servers (although "terrible" is relative). Second, I'm very skeptical about the 64-bit claim, which they haven't investigated. While ARM CPUs are 64-bit themselves, A…

I’m curious about Aarch64. Is it like x86 where you can just install a generic Aarch64 kernel and operating system and just make it works or do I have to build a very specific system for that board like images that are specifically aimed at the pi? To be clear I’m really interested on the Rock64 boards but I don’t like any of their OS options. It would be great to be able to use the Aarch64 port of Alpine Linux on th…

[deleted]

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#145
post #133
post #83

I'm also working on an ARM notebook in the spirit of Novena called Reform: http://mntmn.com/reform/ This version is 32-bit, but it has 4 cores @ 1.2GHz and 4GB of RAM. Also, it is actually open source, meaning that all the electronic design files (made in KiCAD) are available on GitHub and as soon as we have decided on the correct formats the same will be true for the mechanical/case parts, so you will be even able t…

I love the keyboard, reminds me of my old compaq beige brick laptop. What does it actually feel like to type on though? They actual keys look kinda squidgy but that may just be their translucent appearance.

This keyboard is better than all the chiclet island crap.

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#146
post #85

Honest question. Why don't people buy old laptops instead of cheaper new ones? I'm no expert but the cost to performance ratio isn't to far off. I am typing this on T420 Thinkpad laptop. I get desiring to use open hardware but at the detriment of performance doesn't quite make sense.

Honest question. Why don't people buy old laptops instead of cheaper new ones? Because the batteries are knackered and new ones aren’t available for old models. Tho’ this does vary by vendor. Chinese knock-off batteries are usually available but carry their own risks.

It's not hard to rebuild old laptop battery packs with new 18650 cells.

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#147
post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

im a huge fan of your work. may i ask if a IMX8M version will be available in the future ?

Hi, thanks! Not to trigger the Osborne effect, but yes, this is a plan. And/or RISC-V. But we need to get the ball rolling. I will give a discount or upgrade option for people who get the i.MX6 version now.

RISC-V would be great, but I understand this is going to be far off at the moment in terms of viability, here's me hoping single digit years before RISC-V appears in a laptop though.

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#148
I recently bought a Linx 14 from Tesco in the UK (https://www.tesco.com/direct/linx-14-ultraslim-full-hd-light...) which is Intel and I've been pleasantly surprised by how good it is! Particularly for the money! And an OS that I could get on with or give to my mum to use.

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#149
post #146
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honest question. Why don't people buy old laptops instead of cheaper new ones? Because the batteries are knackered and new ones aren’t available for old models. Tho’ this does vary by vendor. Chinese knock-off batteries are usually available but carry their own risks.

It's not hard to rebuild old laptop battery packs with new 18650 cells.

Can you recommend a good place to get new 18650 cells? I live in Norway.

I’ve been wanting to order some but obviously don’t want to buy them from some rando off of eBay because I don’t trust that they will

1. actually be new, and

2. that even if they are new they won’t explode in my face

Re: Pinebook: An Affordable 64-bit ARM based Open Source Notebook

#150
post #83

I'm also working on an ARM notebook in the spirit of Novena called Reform: http://mntmn.com/reform/ This version is 32-bit, but it has 4 cores @ 1.2GHz and 4GB of RAM. Also, it is actually open source, meaning that all the electronic design files (made in KiCAD) are available on GitHub and as soon as we have decided on the correct formats the same will be true for the mechanical/case parts, so you will be even able t…

Wow, this looks and sounds great.
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