14 DAY TRIAL // The number of Linux laptops that you can buy today is growing, as more and more companies notice the opportunity of investing in a platform whose adoption keeps improving.
On the other hand, PINE64 is one of the companies that have always been very committed to Linux, so its device portfolio currently includes several models that customers can purchase at really good prices.
More recently, the firm announced a new super-affordable Linux laptop that will begin shipping in August.
It’s the Pinebook Pro, a new $199 laptop that comes with specs which for the casual user could be more than enough. But on the other hand, it’s important to have a closer look at everything, especially if you’re a power user that expects top performance from your next computer.
First and foremost, it’s the processor. PINE64 has equipped the Pinebook Pro with the 64-bit dual-core ARM 1.8GHz Cortex A72 and quad-core ARM 1.4GHz Cortex A53 paired with 4GB LPDDR4 dual-channel DRAM memory.
It goes without saying this isn’t the kind of configuration that you typically find on a productivity workhorse but it should be able to deal with basic activities like browsing the web and sending emails pretty easily.
In addition to the hardware specs mentioned above, the Pinebook Pro also comes with 64GB eMMC 5.0 storage, a quad-core Mali T-860 GPU chip and the standard Bluetooth 5.0 + Wi-Fi duo.
In terms of connectivity, this new Linux laptop features one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 Type-A port. A Type-C port can be used both for charging and for displays.
The rest of the features include a headphone jack, a microSD card slot, a built-in microphone, and a 2.0-megapixsel front camera.
“Available for just $199”
The display of the laptop is a 14-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1920x1080, something that comes in line with the rest of the configuration and which should be able to serve its purpose pretty well.
The good news is that the Pinebook Pro is a fairly portable device, as it tips the scales at just 1.26 kilos (2.78 lbs), so it’s rather easy to carry it around.
And what’s more, it features a 10,000 mAh battery which should last for about 8 to 10 hours per charge, albeit this obviously depends on a series of factors, including how you use the device.
The $199 laptop will begin shipping next month and the company has a warning regarding the LCD screens that are installed on the device.
“Small numbers (1-3) of stuck or dead pixels are a characteristic of LCD screens. These are normal and should not be considered a defect. When fulfilling the purchase, please bear in mind that we are offering the Pinebook Pro at this price as a community service to PINE64, Linux and BSD communities. We make no profit from selling these units. If you think that a minor dissatisfaction, such as a dead pixel, will prompt you to file a PayPal dispute then please do not purchase the Pinebook Pro,” the company says.
PINE64 is also working on a Pinebook Pro dock, and the firm says it’s already being evaluated by developers, which means that it should be presented rather sooner than later.
And the best of all is that PINE64 will also release an upgrade kit for the Pinebook. In other words, if you already purchased the Pinebook, then you would be able to upgrade it to the Pinebook Pro using a dedicated kit that will be announced at a later date. Full details will be shared when the kit is ready.