Pinebook Pro status?

That link is now showing that UK keyboard versions are out of stock with no schedule given for any further supply.
US keyboards readily available.

I have previously commented to Andrew about the lack of links or any page on their website about the Pinebook Pro – only a link to the Pinebook …. and many pages which are so old and out of date that, if it weren’t for getting prompt responses to emails, one might be forgiven for thinking they have disappeared [and his reply gave no specific detail [of price, content and availablility] which I assumed to be because of a forthcoming announcement at the upcoming [at the time] the SW Show … and I’ve only watched 30minutes of that video so far….

….. in the discussion here there have been suggesstions of availablility but no specific detail of current availablilty, price and what is included ( and should one buy the Pinebook Pro ‘direct’ and the Software package from Rcomp – what would that contain ? …. the only suggested details I can find are/were for the Pinebook.

Having been a buyer of an [A4 on launch], A9, Alpha Portable …. I am reluctant to proceed until I can see ‘the Supplier’ making a clear and universal statement of what is offered; what is available now with a price against it and anticipated future developments …

If cost effective for RComp, I would prefer to buy from them as a single source – requiring them to hold stock – but buying separately avoids hardware stock and warranty risk to RComp, while directly supporting their software.

I DO now have a working PiTop 2 running RISCOS via RiscosBits (my 1st PiTop2 having an incompatible ‘later batch’ keyboard and therefore limited to Linux) …. and I have this because it is both a portable, a better screen than my PiTop 1, and contains a Raspberry Pi which I can use for interfacing with other projects . … although once wireless control becomes available with the Pinebook Pro to devices like the RPi PicoW, the Pinebook Pro and its better screen and transportability would give it more advantages.

Meanwhile I remain a daily user of RiscoS 6 on VA … running on an XPS13

The only version that is being produced is the US keyboard version.

Maybe R-Comp bought all the UK ones?

Perhaps they don’t imagine there’s enough call for UK models to justify making the keyboards? And if they did, people would ask for QWERTZ, AZERTY, etc etc. So they’re just going to aim for the largest potential market (it seems the US layout is preferred in English speaking countries, the Australian layout is US, for example).

Unfortunately it’s not simply a case of supplying a couple of extra key tops to fix the 2" / 2@ issue, as we have an extra key (~# beside Enter) and there are physical changes (Enter is double height and our |\ is by a smaller Left Shift rather than over Enter).

Maybe R-Comp bought all the UK ones?

No. They had to buy US ones.

Pine never produced UK keyboard versions as far as I can tell, I’ve never seen them in stock. It’s somewhat academic though as the US keyboard layout matches the layout of A-series Acorns, so if you’re used to the original Arc keyboards its okay.

I’ve been holding off ordering a US keyboard Pinebook Pro as I want to see what it’s going to cost from R-Comp. I’ve not managed to find any costs for either it or the bespoke OS build/software required.

They had to buy US ones.

Wasn’t there something about needing to have some replacement keycaps made?

Pine never produced UK keyboard versions as far as I can tell

They did. I’ve got one, running Linux. I’ve also seen several others. They definitely exist.

I’ve spoken to a few people who’ve bought the ROM alone, with prices varying from £99 to £150 so I’m not sure what the actual price is.

@Steve Fryatt

Once again, I’ll mention https://www.wrocc.org.uk/risc-os/a-guide-to-risc-os-hardware

That’s triggered a memory. I think we have had this discussion before. Anyway, that’s bloomin’ marvellous. Great place to start. I guess each option then needs further investigation.

Maybe this is controversial, but a comparison/round-up of each option would be nice. And I wonder if some of them are getting on a bit now? Honestly, though, if I felt strongly enough, I would make a summary. And I don’t, so I haven’t – and therefore, I really have no right to moan about it.

The early PineBook Pros had a UK keyboard, like AndyM I have got one booting from a 128 eMMC module. IRRC they dropped the UK keyboard around 2020. For anyone interested, the 128 GB eMMC modules are once again available at 55 US each. My Pi-Top laptop rarely gets used as the PBP is my daily RISC OS computer. If anyone is interested in a PineBook Pro Laptop why not contact R-Comp for more information?

Where are the 128 modules for sale?

https://pine64.com/product-category/compute-and-ai-module-accessories/

Rob, if you decide to buy a 128 module from the Pine 64 store you may want to consider getting a USB for eMMC adapter (5 US) or the NVME m2 SSD interface adapter (7 US). Note that currently RISC OS cannot access NVME drives but this may change in the future.

I have also an ISO keyboard and with thebright keyboard sticker it is a German one.
I use also 128GB eMMC for RISC OS. The SD card is used as an additional storage device or if I need another for booting Linux. I thing I will use NVMe for rootfs as long as it not supported in RISC but I not found the time to do this.
The PINEBOOK Pro USB-C Docking Deck is working as Hub and USB2Ether with Thomas EtherUSB changes.

Thanks to everyone for their interest in RISC OS on Pinebook Pro.

I’ve spent the last day or so biting the bullet and updating the riscoscomputers co uk website, particularly the Pinebok section. It still needs some proof-reading, as I find this kind of promotional work very difficult. Developing, testing, supporting, helping – these things I enjoy (for the most part!). Doing promotional website work – that I struggle to find time for. If people would like to provide private feedback via email, it’d be appreciated.

Anyway, I’ve tried to answer some of the questions raised here. I’ve also put in a redirection as requested by Steve for the missing, older page.

Regarding UK keyboards, for the most part they have not been available for a long time (several years AFAIK). However, I recently placed another order for a batch of Pinebook Pros, and whilst Pine64 couldn’t do the whole order as UK keyboard models, they did find a small number, so the next batch should have some UK models. These units are currently in transit, but may have a slightly higher price due to this batch being more expensive to buy.

Note that the original PB only had a US keyboard, and the PineTools software included with both generations includes specific options to facilitate UK users. For example, you can alter key mappings and ensure you have a pound sign etc. IIRC there are really only three keys different – pound, @-sign and double-quote.

Our prices include UK VAT (20%), as is the norm. This is not charged for overseas sales. Whilst carriage is naturally higher, it is not uncommon for overseas sales to work out a little cheaper overall.

As I’ve said in the various (public) places I have demo’d the PBpro, the laptop is as functional as the original PB was at launch, probably more so. The main missing RISC OS features are no audio (but USB audio devices can be used to play back music), no wifi/bt, no webcam, no USB-C video and no NVME support.

Audio is “in progress” – the developer who did audio for the original Pinebook has received a laptop to help develop PB Pro audio. I hope to be able to share news of this in due course. Wifi is… well… also “in progress”, and can be worked around with wired-to-wireless convertors or USB mobile dongles. External projector/monitor support (HDMI, DVI, VGA) is possible via an adapter and driver software that we offer.

Price variance on the support pack is largely down to how involved the people are in working with us either to develop products, or in a testing/feedback capacity. I have been known to offer loyalty discounts to regular supporters on occasion too – never hurts to ask! :)

If you have further questions, please remember that I’m always available via email (rcomp co uk) or phone to help, answer any queries you might have, and give you up-to-the-minute info on the status of things.

Update – the UK keyboard Pinebook Pros arrived (finally – they’ve had quite the eventful journey) this morning.