Affordable PineTab-V Linux Tablet Based on RISC-V Architecture Now Available for Purchase at $159
The current status of Linux support on RISC-V hardware, particularly for consumer devices like the PineTab-V, has reached a notable milestone in 2025. The PineTab-V is now shipping with a functional Linux system based on Debian, priced around $159, marking a significant advancement as one of the first fully usable RISC-V tablets running Linux [2][4].
The PineTab-V, a RISC-V tablet, now comes with a functional Linux operating system. This device features a 10.1-inch IPS screen, a 2-megapixel front camera, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and a detachable magnetic keyboard [5]. It supports RISC-V hardware and can run rich Linux distributions.
Key developments in the broader RISC-V Linux ecosystem include:
- Ubuntu 25.10 (Questing Quokka) is planned to deliver a fully functional desktop session on RISC-V, but Canonical has raised the minimum required ISA profile to RVA23. This change means most current RISC-V devices (~90%) will not run this version, as they support only the older RVA20 standard [1][3].
- The RVA23 profile, ratified in late 2024, includes important extensions like hypervisor support and vector instructions to improve performance on enterprise workloads and AI/ML tasks. Canonical’s move to RVA23 targets newer hardware platforms to ensure compatibility and better software optimization [1][3].
- Although currently existing RISC-V consumer devices largely conform to RVA20, new RVA23 hardware chips are expected to begin shipping in late 2025 and 2026, indicating the ecosystem is in transition but progressing toward more powerful, standardized devices [3].
- On the embedded side, Linux distributions such as Debian, Yocto, and Fedora have matured for RISC-V, with growing adoption in edge computing and IoT deployments. This maturity benefits devices like PineTab-V, which rely on embedded Linux technologies [5].
Summary for Consumer RISC-V Linux Devices Like PineTab-V:
- PineTab-V is one of the first consumer RISC-V tablets with functional Linux support and is commercially available.
- Current widely available hardware typically targets the older RVA20 profile, limiting compatibility with upcoming Ubuntu releases.
- The Linux ecosystem is rapidly evolving with better-supported hardware (RVA23) and software optimizations arriving soon.
- Full desktop Linux sessions (with Firefox, Thunderbird, etc.) are targeted for next-generation RISC-V devices in 2025–2026.
In conclusion, Linux support on RISC-V consumer devices is functional but still maturing, with major improvements coming as next-gen hardware and OS profiles become mainstream. The PineTab-V exemplifies this transition phase—usable now but part of a rapidly evolving ecosystem [1][2][3][4][5]. The Linux operating system on the PineTab-V is Debian-based and maintained by StarFive. The software ecosystem for RISC-V is beginning to catch up with the hardware, expanding opportunities for RISC-V in mainstream electronics.
- As the PineTab-V is a RISC-V tablet that supports RISC-V hardware and runs a Linux operations system, it can potentially be equipped with various smartphones and gadgets powered by RISC-V technology.
- The maturation of Linux distributions like Debian, Yocto, and Fedora for RISC-V has opened up opportunities for a wider range of gadgets, including smartphones, to be developed on this platform.
