PineTab
{{short description|Tablet intended for open-source software}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = PineTab
| manufacturer = Pine64
| image = File:Pine-pinetab.jpg
| caption = PineTab with the optional keyboard attached, running postmarketOS
| os = Linux
| cpu = Allwinner A64 ARM Quad core Cortex-A53, 64bit @ max 1.2GHz
| memory = 2 GB LPDDR3
| graphics = Mali-400 MP2
| storage = 64GB eMMC flash memory
| camera = Front: Single GC2035, 2MP, f/2.8, 1/5″
Rear: Single Omnivision 6540, 5MPx, 1/4″, LED Flash
| connectivity = Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, single-band, hotspot capable, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB 2.0, micro USB 2.0 OTG, HD Video Out (Mini-HDMI)
| dimensions = PineTab: {{convert|258|x|170|x|11.2|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
With detachable keyboard: {{convert|262|x|180|x|21.1|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
| weight = PineTab: {{convert|575|g|oz|abbr=on}}
With detachable keyboard: {{convert|950|g|oz|abbr=on}}
| power = 6000mAh
| release date = May 2020
| successor = PineTab 2
| memory card = microSD (bootable), optional M.2
| display = 1280×800 10" IPS LCD
}}
The PineTab is a low-cost tablet computer developed by Hong Kong–based computer manufacturer Pine64.{{cite news |last1=Das |first1=Ankush |title=$100 PineTab Linux Tablet is Finally Available for Pre-order |url=https://itsfoss.com/pinetab-linux-tablet/ |work=ItsFoss |date=June 10, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Humphries |first1=Matthew |title=Pine64 to Launch $79 Linux Tablet, $199 PineBook Pro Laptop |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/pine64-to-launch-79-linux-tablet-199-pinebook-pro-laptop |work=PC Magazine |date=January 31, 2019 |language=en}} The PineTab was announced in May 2020, with shipping beginning in September 2020. It is based on the platform of the existing Pine A64 single board computer,{{Cite web |title=Raspberry Pi vs new Pine64 board: Same price but H64 has 2x memory |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/pine-h64-model-b-raspberry-pi-rival-arrives-from-25/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=ZDNET |language=en}} with the platform being used in related devices, such as the Pinebook and PinePhone.
History and editions
In May 2020, Pine64 announced the PineTab tablet at a starting price of $99,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pine64.org/2020/05/15/may-update-pinetab-pre-orders-pinephone-qi-charging-more/|title=May Update: PineTab pre-orders, PinePhone Qi charging & more|website=Pine64|date=15 May 2020 }} alongside an optional detachable backlit keyboard.{{cite news |last1=Sneddon |first1=Joey |title=PineTab, the $99 Linux Tablet, is Now Available to Order |url=https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2020/06/pinetab-is-now-available-to-order |accessdate=13 August 2020 |work=OMG! Ubuntu! |date=June 10, 2020}} Pre-orders began shortly after the announcement.{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Sarvottam |date=2020-06-11 |title=Linux Tablet 'PineTab' With Ubuntu Touch Is Now Available For Preorder |url=https://fossbytes.com/linux-tablet-pinetab-with-ubuntu-touch-now-available-preorder/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Fossbytes |language=en-US}} Devices were first shipped to developers and early adopters, though shipping was delayed until September 2020 for consumers.{{Cite web |title=September Update: Let it sink in… |url=https://www.pine64.org/2020/09/15/september-update-let-it-sink-in/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=PINE64 |date=15 September 2020 |language=en-US}} It then later experienced shipping delays and shortages for components due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made Pine64 decide to allocate more resources for the then-released PinePhone,{{Cite web |last=Proven |first=Liam |title=Pine64 announces open tablet: PineTab 2 |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/21/pine64_announces_new_open_tablet/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=December Update: Merry Christmas and Happy New PineTab |url=https://www.pine64.org/2022/12/15/december-update-merry-christmas-and-happy-new-pinetab/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=PINE64 |date=15 December 2022 |language=en-US}} creating varying availability.{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=2022-12-16 |title=PineTab 2 is another try at a Linux-based tablet, without the 2020 supply crunch |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/12/pinetab-2-is-a-rockchip-based-linux-powered-repairable-tablet/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}
In December 2022, Pine64 announced a successor to the original device, dubbed the "PineTab 2".{{Cite web |last=Sneddon |first=Joey |date=2022-12-15 |title=Pine64 Announce a PineTab 2 is Coming Next Year |url=https://www.omglinux.com/pine64-announce-pinetab2-linux-tablet/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=OMG! Linux |language=en-US}} PineTab2 is expected to not face the same Supply chain issues as the first generation tab.{{Cite web |last=Proven |first=Liam |title=Pine64 announces open tablet: PineTab 2 |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/21/pine64_announces_new_open_tablet/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}
Hardware
The PineTab uses an Allwinner A64 SoC, which has four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.152 GHz, alongside a Mali-400 MP2 GPU, together with 2 GB LPDDR3 of RAM and a 6000mAh battery.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-10 |title=The $99 "PineTab" Linux tablet is now available for preorder |url=https://tuxphones.com/pinetab-linux-tablet-ubuntu-touch-preorder-price-specs/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=TuxPhones - Linux phones, tablets and portable devices |language=en}} It has 64 GB of eMMC flash memory, alongside a M.2 slot for optional expansion with a solid-state drive or cellular modem. Storage capacity can also be expanded with a microSD, which is bootable.
It supports Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0, has one USB 2.0 port, a micro USB 2.0 port with OTG, Mini-HDMI for external display output and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The device also contains stereo speakers, a 5 MP rear camera and a 2 MP front facing camera. The display is a 10" IPS LCD with a resolution of 1280 × 800. It weighs 575 grams (1.3 pounds).{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Sarvottam |date=2020-05-18 |title=Linux Tablet PineTab With Ubuntu Touch OS: All You Need To Know |url=https://fossbytes.com/linux-tablet-pinetab-with-ubuntu-touch/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Fossbytes |language=en-US}}
Software
The PineTab aims to be an open platform for the development of free and open source software for Linux on mobile devices. Operating systems include Ubuntu Touch, postmarketOS,{{Cite web |last=Nestor |first=Marius |date=2022-12-18 |title=postmarketOS 22.12 Released with Support for Fairphone 4 and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 |url=https://9to5linux.com/postmarketos-22-12-released-with-support-for-fairphone-4-and-galaxy-tab-2-10-1 |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=9to5Linux |language=en-US}} Mobian (Debian ARM){{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Sarvottam |date=2020-09-10 |title=Mobian OS For PinePhone Now Available For Linux Tablet 'PineTab' |url=https://fossbytes.com/mobian-os-for-pinephone-now-available-for-linux-tablet-pinetab/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Fossbytes |language=en-US}} and Arch Linux ARM.{{Cite web |last=Ferdinand Thommes |date=2020-10-19 |title=PineTab Linux-Tablet mit Mobian und Arch Linux ARM |url=https://linuxnews.de/2020/10/19/pinetab-linux-tablet-mit-mobian-und-arch-linux-arm/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=LinuxNews |language=de-DE}}
See also
{{Portal|Linux|Free and open-source software}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.pine64.org/pinetab/ PineTab official page]
- [https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/PineTab PineTab - PINE64 Wiki]
{{Linux devices}}