Early access program launched for early-adopters

RISC-V Mainboard for Framework Laptop 13 Available from $199

Framework make the most exciting laptops around —I don’t own one to be able to say they’re good, but the modular components, and upgradeable and repairable ethos is unlike anything else.

As news earlier this year that owners would be able to swap their Intel-based mainboard for a RISC-V mainboard underscores.

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Well, there’s now an update on that front.

DeepComputing (who make the Ubuntu-powered DC-ROMA II laptop & Pad II tablet) has launched an early access program for its DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard for the Framework Laptop 13.

The mainboard is also compatible with the  Framework and Cooler Master Case (which lets mainboards be used as a desktop PC).

Specs wise, it’s built around a RISC-V StarFive JH7110 SoC with SiFive U74 cores. This chip is used in the Milk-V Mars SBC, which also runs Ubuntu.

The catch is that this early-access program is open to enterprise and business customers, rather than would-be Linux community RISC-V developers (although other options exist those, including the aforementioned devices and many from Pine64).

Since RISC-V doesn’t currently deliver the kind of performance or software compatibility that casual consumers and intrepid enthusiasts may want, the exclusivity is a necessary signal to send.

Ubuntu 24.04 is supported, as is Fedora Workstation 41.

Gordan Markuš, Director of Silicon Alliances at Canonical says the company’s “…collaboration with DeepComputing and their early adopters highlights our shared commitment to openness in computing and robust Linux support for the RISC-V community.“

While Greg Kroah-Hartman, Linux Foundation fellow and well-known Linux kernel devs says that “collaborations like these are essential to driving forward both Linux and RISC-V, as they enable early adopters to help shape the future of open-source hardware.”

DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard: Cost?

The DeepComputing RISC-V mainboard costs from $199. That’s the basic tier price which includes the mainboard itself, a Coolmaster case to use it as a mini PC, 2x USB-C expansion cards, and a 64GB SD card (since it has no on-board storage) only.

The standard tier ($299) include more expansion cards (USB-A, HDMI, Wi-Fi + antennas); the pro tier ($368) swaps the Coolmaster case for an actual Framework Laptop 13; and the enterprise tier gives you 2 boards, a laptop and a PC case, and everything else.

Those prices rise considerably if choosing to include “added-value” extras – mainly a set of discount codes for other products and services, the opportunity to provide feedback to help shape the next-generation version, and a discount when it launches.

If you own a Framework Laptop 13 (or are debating buying one in the near future) and you’re interested in RISC-V, go check out the release announcement for more details, or skip to the DeepComputing store to see if you’re eligible to buy.

Thanks Marta