DeepComputing Opens Pre-Orders for Its Third-Generation Framework Laptop 13 RISC-V Mainboard

DeepComputing has announced its third-generation RISC-V single-board computer for the Framework Laptop 13, the DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard III — this time offering full support for the RVA23 profile, the newly-mandated minimum for support by Canonical's Ubuntu and other Linux distributions.

"We're launching an Early Access Program for developers and early adopters to receive the DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard III for Framework Laptop 13, powered by SpacemiT K3," DeepComputing announced of the board's impending launch. "This program is designed for developers and early users who want to be among the first to experience next-generation RISC-V on a modular laptop platform."

The DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard III is designed for use in the modular Framework Laptop 13 chassis, replacing its original Intel or AMD Mainboard, though can also be used in a suitable case as a standalone single-board computer. The SpacemIT K3 system-on-chip at its heart features 16 cores, eight of which support the RISC-V RVA23 specification, recently adopted by Canonical as a mandatory minimum for running its Ubuntu Linux distribution on RISC-V chips, with the other eight designed for offloading specialized workloads and using the RVA22 specification. 16GB and 32GB memory options will be offered, with an M.2 M-key slot offering SATA and NVMe storage expansion alongside a microSD Card slot. There's no on-board Wi-Fi, but there is an M.2 E-key slot supporting selected radio cards.

As the name implies, this isn't DeepComputing's first motherboard for the Framework Laptop 13: the original was launched back in February last year, with the warning that it would be "developer focused" with an unpolished software ecosystem, with its successor announced just a month later. These built on work the company had done on its in-house DC-ROMA laptop family and RISC-V Pad tablet range, which promised ready-to-run hardware for early adopters.

DeepComputing is hoping to begin shipping the board in May, and has opened pre-orders with a $99.99 reservation — but, at the time of writing, had not announced final pricing, instead offering customers the option to cancel at any time before shipment and receive a full refund. More information is available on the DeepComputing website.