Mar 16, 2022 21:00:00

Introducing the 'DevTerm R-01' portable computer with a 64-bit single-core CPU that uses RISC-V and can be purchased for 30,000 yen.

RISC-V , an instruction set architecture developed in open source, is expected to be a new technology that opens a big hole in the semiconductor industry. The ' DevTerm R-01 ', a portable computer equipped with a CPU designed with RISC-V, is now available.

DevTerm Kit R-01 | Clockwork Pi
https://www.clockworkpi.com/product-page/devterm-kit-r01

The first RISC-V portable computer is now available
https://lunduke.substack.com/p/the-first-risc-v-portable-computer

Most of the CPUs used in PCs around the world are based on Intel's x86 instruction set architecture (ISA), and the CPUs and GPUs used in smartphones are designed based on the Arm architecture . However, all ISAs require a license to design, and there is a problem that SMEs and academic institutions that cannot pay huge royalties cannot design CPUs. RISC-V, which started from a short-term research project at the University of California, Berkeley, is expected to significantly change the ISA market, which is oligopolized by two companies, Intel and Arm, as universities and companies are collaborating in development. This is ISA.

'DevTerm R-01' announced by Clockwork , a company that develops open source software and Raspberry Pi hardware, was released in 1983 with a 64-bit single-core CPU 'RV64IMAFDCVU' that adopted the RISC-V architecture. A 6.86-inch ultra-wide display and keyboard-integrated A5 notebook-sized portable computer inspired by the ' TRS-80 Model 100 '.

The main board is Clockwork Pi v3.14 compatible with

Raspberry Pi CM3 .

The core board connected to this Clockwork Pi is Clockwork Pi

Core R-01 , which is equipped with 1GB of DDR3 memory in addition to RV64IMA FDCVU, which is a 64-bit CPU with a clock frequency of 1.0GHz. However, GPU is not installed.

The OS is a Linux-based Clockwork OS. At the time of writing, the latest version of Clockwork OS is 0.5, which is built into the included 32GB High Speed microSD card.

In addition to the main board and core board, there is a 65% keyboard with some keys omitted, a 6.86-inch IPS LCD display, dual speakers and a 58mm 200dpi heat-sensitive printer, and a battery module for 18650 lithium-ion secondary batteries (batteries sold separately). Included.

The DevTerm R-01 can be purchased for $ 239 and all parts are in one kit. This means that the user has to assemble everything himself. Clockwork commented, 'The DevTerm R-01 is a very experimental model and requires some experience with Linux and FOSS . Beginners are strongly encouraged to choose another model.' doing. DevTerm R-01 will be shipped to users outside the United States, so the shipping fee is unknown, but Japanese users can also purchase it. However, Clockwork states that due to supply chain conditions, delivery times are expected to be approximately 60 business days.