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# A Debian-Based Distro and Hardware Upgrades Come to the PINE64 RISC-V Tablet
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/pinetab-v-upgrade/
- Published: 2025-03-18T14:08:18.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-11T05:24:02.000Z
- Description: Some notable upgrades for the PineTab-V tablet have arrived.
- Author: Community
- Tags: Gadgets 🎛️, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

PINE64 has quietly upgraded the PineTab-V tablet, with it now shipping with a new Debian-based Linux distribution developed by [StarFive](https://www.starfivetech.com/en?ref=itsfoss.com) and some new hardware. This new addition to the PINE64 tablet family kicks things up a notch in terms of both utility and software compatibility.

Earlier, the PineTab-V didn't come installed with an operating system and was only available for developers and early adopters [back in 2023](https://liliputing.com/pinetab2-and-pinetab-v-tablets-available-for-pre-order-for-159-and-up-with-a-choice-of-arm-or-risc-v-chips/?ref=itsfoss.com).

In terms of hardware, this updated model adds a new [accelerometer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerometer?ref=itsfoss.com), a fix for a slow charging issue, an LED status indicator light, and a unique identifier for the PineTab-V in the [EEPROM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEPROM?ref=itsfoss.com) (*Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory*).

The last bit helps the bootloader, OS, or firmware identify that the device is a PineTab-V, allowing for proper hardware detection and configuration.

## PineTab-V Specifications

![a photo that shows a side view of the pinetab-v with its backlit keyboard stand/cover attached](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/03/pinetab-v-side-view.jpg)

While what's underneath the upgraded PineTab-V is mostly similar to the previous version, here's a refresher of the specifications:

- **SoC:** StarFive JH4110.
- **CPU:** 64-bit quad-core 1.5 GHz SiFive U74 RISC-V.
- **GPU:** Imagination Technology BXE-4-32.
- **RAM:** 8 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM.
- **Display:** 10.1 inch 1280×800 IPS.
- **Battery:** 6000 mAH Li-Po.
- **Camera:** 5 MP primary with LED flash, 2 MP secondary.
- **Storage:** 128 GB eMMC module, supports expansion microSDHC and microSDXC cards up to 2 TB.
- **Connectivity:** Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 ax/ac/b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.2.
- **Ports:** 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1x stereo loudspeaker, 1x USB 3.0 port (*front 3.0, rear 2.0*), 1x USB Type-C 2.0 port (*can be used for charging or debugging*), and USB 2.0 docking port.

The [StarFive JH7110](https://www.starfivetech.com/en/site/soc?ref=itsfoss.com) SoC (*System on Chip*) that powers this tablet is a quad-core RISC-V processor that, while not that powerful, is **good enough for general tasks**. If you're someone who is into experimenting with non-mainstream processor architectures, then you will appreciate that the PineTab-V is one of the most accessible RISC-V devices out there.

What got me most interested in this updated tablet is the [Debian-based distro](https://github.com/starfive-tech/Debian/releases/tag/PineTab-V-v1.3.0?ref=itsfoss.com) that has been tweaked specifically for RISC-V, giving users a stable foundation with access to thousands of supported packages.

To me, the PineTab-V feels like a small yet notable leap towards making [RISC-V](https://riscv.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) more accessible in the mainstream.

## 🛒 Getting the PineTab-V

The PineTab-V will cost you **$225** with the current [community pricing](https://pine64.com/product/pinetab-v-10-1-8gb-128gb-risc-v-based-linux-tablet-with-detached-backlit-keyboard/?ref=itsfoss.com) in place. Though the listed retail price is $299.99, and I am not sure when the promotional offer will end.

PINE64 also mentions that there might be 1-3 dead pixels on the LCD screens and requests buyers that this device is for development and evaluation purposes only.

[PineTab-V](https://pine64.com/product/pinetab-v-10-1-8gb-128gb-risc-v-based-linux-tablet-with-detached-backlit-keyboard/?ref=itsfoss.com)