Pine64 has announced the revival of its open-source e-ink tablet.
The PineNote was first introduced in 2021, building on the achievements of its various non-SBC devices such as the PinePhone, including the Pro model, as well as the PineTab and PineBook. As is typical with Pine64’s offerings, software support is largely driven by the community.
Initially, only a limited number of developer units were made available, mainly to enthusiasts within the open-source community who had the expertise and motivation to enable a contemporary Linux operating system to function on the hardware, while also configuring it for the e-ink display.
The endeavor has required significant time, as explained by Pine64’s community bloggers:
“The PineNote found itself in a challenging predicament, where the high production costs for the device (due to the still pricey ePaper screens) presented a significant risk. Manufacturing units without a functional Linux OS would likely lead to poor sales.”
At long last, a breakthrough has occurred.
PineNote + Debian = Ideal Partnership
The PineNote now runs on a dependable Debian-based operating system, crafted by Maximilian Weigand. This system is characterized as “not only a bare-bones capable OS but a genuinely daily-usable system that ‘just works’” as noted in the Pine64 blog.
It is reported to feature the GNOME desktop, enhanced with several extensions to optimize the user interface for e-ink displays. Current PineNote users can download the latest OS image, install it on their device, and participate in testing.
Original PineNote Specs
In terms of specifications, the PineNote boasts a 10.1-inch e-ink display that supports up to 16 levels of greyscale and offers a resolution of 1404×1872 (227 DPI). It is powered by a quad-core RK3566 SoC, equipped with 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and features 128GB eMMC storage.
Included are two microphones, two speakers, a single USB Type-C port for power and data transfer, along with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. A front light with 36 adjustable levels of warm and cool illumination enhances the experience of reading and note-taking in low-light conditions, complemented by physical buttons for paging and erasing.
The next production batch may feature some subtle variations from the initial model, based on user feedback. One significant change is the transition to a passive (non-rechargeable) stylus, replacing the previously used active stylus.
The PineNote emphasizes both touch and stylus functionalities, establishing itself as a free alternative to various e-ink note-taking devices like the Remarkable series, Onyx BOOX, and Amazon Kindle Scribe.
However, in contrast to those devices, this one has the potential to offer much more than just reading e-books or jotting down lecture notes, particularly because it is powered by a relatively powerful internal system-on-chip.
When can I buy the PineNote?
The exact price is yet to be confirmed, but during the early adopter phase, the PineNote was priced at $399. This package included a magnetic cover and an EMR pen stylus. However, Pine64 indicated that both the cover and stylus would be available for purchase separately during the general sale, so it’s important to keep this in mind.
Currently, there is no specific launch date for the PineNote, but there are plans that have been formalized for a production run.