This $149 RISC-V Tablet Runs Ubuntu 24.04

DeepComputing has unveiled an new version of its DC-ROMA RISC-V tablet — and this one runs Ubuntu!

The DC-ROMA RISC-V Pad II boasts a 10.1 inch (1920×1200) IPS 10-point touch display, and is powered by the same SpacemiT K1 SoC found in their RISC-V Ubuntu laptop (which launched with a confused set of pricing tiers and availability).

That chip comprises eight 64-bit RISC-V cores running up to 2.0 GHz, plus the RVA 22 Profile and 256-bit RVV 1.0 standard to provide “powerful AI capabilities”, and an Imagine Technologies BXE-2-2 GPU, a baseline 800 MHz effort.

Memory wise, the base model offers 4GB LPDDR4 RAM. 8GB and 16GB options are available at extra cost. All versions have 64 GB eMMC, but the 16 GB variant can also be equipped with a 128 GB eMMC – all those upgrades bump the cost, of course.

Also present is a 6000 mAh battery, front and rear cameras, a USB Type-C 3.0 port (with DisplayPort), and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The DC-ROMA RISC-V Pad II ships with Ubuntu 24.04 out the box, but DeepComputing say the 16GB model will also support (a custom build of) Android 15 AOSP in time.

Who Needs a RISC-V Tablet?

“With native RISC-V development and compilation capabilities, the DC-ROMA RISC-V Pad II can provide the same level of development environment and experience as the DC-ROMA RISC-V Laptop II,” the company says of the slate.

Code compiling on a touchscreen keyboard might not be everyone’s idea of fun so the Pad II also supports external keyboards and mouse too.

RISC-V computing is a promising field but best ploughed by developers, early adopters, and tech enthusiasts at present. RISC-V chip performance is improving, but it’s not “there” for mainstream adoption — yet.

While most of us can’t afford to drop a few hundred dollars on a device whose performance won’t be good enough to do much of what we want, it’s important these kind of devices are out there.

Without reliable (and halfway-affordable) RISC-V hardware for enthusiasts to tinker with, the software side won’t mature.

Those interested in a RISC-V tablet — I imagine many are — who actually want to buy one — I imagine most don’t — can pre-order the DC-ROMA RISC-V Pad II from $149 on the DeepComputing website.

Slates scheduled to start shipping in September, albeit from China so be aware that import and shipping costs will also apply.