Speaking of Framework computers, today I see that they are going to do a
risc-v mainboard* for the 13" machines.
This is explicitly for those wanting access to this architecture for
development, and they say it is not competitive with their Intel and AMD
as a general purpose computer; it looks to me like the JH7110 CPU it has
is designed for portable electronics or cellphone use, though glancing
through a PDF about the chip, they also mention use on "the edge".
No, I don't want one of these and probably neither do any of you, but I
can imagine there are people will: and the modular architecture of
Framework means those folk can do risc-v work on decent and portable
machine and don't need chained to a desk covered with a pile of parts
and wires.
Cool!
I am under the impression that printed circuit board layout, and
commissioning a manufacturer to build it, has gotten pretty easy these
days. And the specs for what a Framework mainboard needs to be are
probably public. Possibly this chip manufacturer, wanting to sell a
development board to help drive design wins for their chip, is helping
fund this. I don't know. But I like the idea that a Framework computer
can be a shell in which to drop in a development board, which then
benefits from all of the packaging of that larger beast. Their might be
more of things like these.
-kb
* I note they call it a "mainboard", not a "motherboard" as I did recently.
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