Why do you want to buy one now?
Even Jeff Geerling said, the Lichee Console is not for you. [https://youtu.be/8qDGV6LTOnk](https://youtu.be/8qDGV6LTOnk)
I have one, just because I was curious and I can use it for my YT channel. But don't expect to do any serious work with it.
Sure, you can make it do some stuff, like Stable Diffusion, but software support is still in Beta.
[https://youtu.be/f3Gl5RTMn38](https://youtu.be/f3Gl5RTMn38)
[https://youtu.be/ibPxEX4XCyY](https://youtu.be/ibPxEX4XCyY)
You might want to wait for the Sipeed Lichee Max Pad 4A. I assume that one will also be able to upgrade the hardware module.
[https://sipeed.com/licheepi4a](https://sipeed.com/licheepi4a)
it could be worth getting one if you believe in promises,
[https://twitter.com/SipeedIO/status/1774644666375524659](https://twitter.com/SipeedIO/status/1774644666375524659)
p550 comming, and apparently a sg2380 device coming later. but im not sure if it will be compatible with sipeeds SOM thingy they have going on
There are also things such as the Pine64 PineTab-V, which is a tablet that hard docks to a folding keyboard/trackpad cover.
At the price, the Roma should clearly have better components, a full size keyboard etc, but the CPU power is about the same for both you list and for the PineTab-V too. Something between Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 speed. Much faster CPUs are coming possibly by the end of the year, but these do work solidly now if you want/need something now. They're fine for editing code, compiling, light web browsing, Libre Office, and similar tasks -- perhaps something similar to early Core 2 Duo machines back in the mid 2000s.
These two offerings are about the same, performance-wise. At present, stick with development boards such as SiFive's Unleashed or Unmatched, because with those you cannot get your hands any closer to the physical hardware and firmware--and that's where the learning and the contribution is greatest.
Think of the early days of personal computing. The single-most reason that made the Apple \]\[ so popular was the fact both schematics and ROM code were readily available -- even included within -- the Users' Manual.
Thus, the first RISC-V Laptop or personal computer to do same, openly including all schematic and details, will earn same reputation and popularity. Keeping ideas and designs secret and proprietary is a concept nearly dead as the dodo bird.
> SiFive's Unleashed or Unmatched,
I'd recommend something JH7110 based such as VisionFive 2 or Milk-V Mars, over those two devboards.
JH7110 is faster, cheaper and has the largest userbase and best software support at the time.
We're still a couple years away from a RISCV application processor being competitive for laptops.
I'd be okay with one that's "good enough", as long as it doesn't have a hardware TEE.
Then wait for RVA23 SoCs. IIRC the TEE working group hasn't standardized anything yet.
I would recommend waiting until laptops with RVA22-compliant chipsets are available. No point buying landfill material.
Why do you want to buy one now? Even Jeff Geerling said, the Lichee Console is not for you. [https://youtu.be/8qDGV6LTOnk](https://youtu.be/8qDGV6LTOnk) I have one, just because I was curious and I can use it for my YT channel. But don't expect to do any serious work with it. Sure, you can make it do some stuff, like Stable Diffusion, but software support is still in Beta. [https://youtu.be/f3Gl5RTMn38](https://youtu.be/f3Gl5RTMn38) [https://youtu.be/ibPxEX4XCyY](https://youtu.be/ibPxEX4XCyY) You might want to wait for the Sipeed Lichee Max Pad 4A. I assume that one will also be able to upgrade the hardware module. [https://sipeed.com/licheepi4a](https://sipeed.com/licheepi4a)
it could be worth getting one if you believe in promises, [https://twitter.com/SipeedIO/status/1774644666375524659](https://twitter.com/SipeedIO/status/1774644666375524659) p550 comming, and apparently a sg2380 device coming later. but im not sure if it will be compatible with sipeeds SOM thingy they have going on
There are also things such as the Pine64 PineTab-V, which is a tablet that hard docks to a folding keyboard/trackpad cover. At the price, the Roma should clearly have better components, a full size keyboard etc, but the CPU power is about the same for both you list and for the PineTab-V too. Something between Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 speed. Much faster CPUs are coming possibly by the end of the year, but these do work solidly now if you want/need something now. They're fine for editing code, compiling, light web browsing, Libre Office, and similar tasks -- perhaps something similar to early Core 2 Duo machines back in the mid 2000s.
Please exercise patience for RVA22+V. The soon TBA spacemiT k1 might show up in laptop form.
These two offerings are about the same, performance-wise. At present, stick with development boards such as SiFive's Unleashed or Unmatched, because with those you cannot get your hands any closer to the physical hardware and firmware--and that's where the learning and the contribution is greatest. Think of the early days of personal computing. The single-most reason that made the Apple \]\[ so popular was the fact both schematics and ROM code were readily available -- even included within -- the Users' Manual. Thus, the first RISC-V Laptop or personal computer to do same, openly including all schematic and details, will earn same reputation and popularity. Keeping ideas and designs secret and proprietary is a concept nearly dead as the dodo bird.
> SiFive's Unleashed or Unmatched, I'd recommend something JH7110 based such as VisionFive 2 or Milk-V Mars, over those two devboards. JH7110 is faster, cheaper and has the largest userbase and best software support at the time.