Affordable RISC-V Tablet Now Available: PineTab-V Ships with Linux Operating System for $159
The PineTab-V, the world's first RISC-V tablet, has made a significant impact in the technology world. This device, while not a powerhouse by modern standards, represents a notable milestone for the RISC-V instruction set architecture.
Primarily used in academic, embedded, or industrial domains, the RISC-V architecture is now stepping into the consumer electronics arena with the PineTab-V. This tablet offers a fully functional Linux experience on a tablet form factor, featuring a 10.1-inch IPS screen and a detachable magnetic keyboard.
Under the hood, the PineTab-V runs a Debian-based Linux OS customized for RISC-V by StarFive, the company behind the device's System-on-Chip (SoC). This Linux distribution, tailored specifically for the RISC-V architecture, ships pre-installed on the PineTab-V, providing a usable and functional Linux environment out of the box.
The current Linux distribution officially available for the PineTab-V is a Debian-based Linux distribution maintained by StarFive. As of March 2025, the PineTab-V was first shown running a functional image based on Debian 12 (Bookworm/Sid) with GNOME.
Users can now interact with a GNOME desktop, open a browser, type documents, and play simple games on a RISC-V chip, signalling that the software ecosystem is catching up with the hardware. The PineTab-V's ability to run lightweight games further underscores the maturity of the RISC-V ecosystem.
Initially released without an OS for developers, the PineTab-V now ships with a functional Linux system following the development progress shown at the 2025 RISC-V Summit. While community or third-party Linux distributions for the PineTab-V might emerge in the future, the focus remains on the Debian-based image provided by StarFive and Pine64.
The base price of the PineTab-V is $159 (exchange rates apply), making it an affordable option for those interested in exploring the potential of RISC-V technology in consumer devices. However, it's important to note that the PineTab-V does not appear to be suitable for heavier workloads, such as video editing, due to the vast majority of owners having more performant chips in their iPhones.
In summary, the official and current Linux distribution for the PineTab-V is a Debian-based RISC-V tailored Linux maintained by StarFive. This device is a working example of an RISC-V device capable of running a desktop Linux environment out of the box, reflecting momentum across multiple layers, from chip-level IP to consumer hardware, signalling expanding opportunities for RISC-V in mainstream electronics.
[1] RISC-V Summit 2025: PineTab-V Demonstrates Functional Debian Linux Image (2025, March) [2] The PineTab-V: The First RISC-V Tablet (2023, October) [3] PineTab-V Linux Development Progress (2025, July) [4] StarFive's Custom Debian-based Linux for the PineTab-V (2025, March)
With the arrival of the PineTab-V, RISC-V technology has ventured into the consumer electronics sector, transforming it into a smart-home device, complete with a detachable keyboard and Linux OS. This tablet, equipped with RISC-V gadgetry, now hosts a fully functional GNOME desktop, enabling users to enjoy light gaming and everyday productivity tasks.
As the RISC-V hardware matures, the PineTab-V offers an affordable option for consumers to immerse themselves in the technology, paving the way for broader adoption of RISC-V in future consumer devices.
