02-13-2019, 08:06 AM
Thanks for the list of ideas Kochise,
Before going though them, lets me start with the TRES-A64; hardware wise its nearly identical to the original Pinebook (the Pinebook has a higher res LCD)...and it costs over twice as much.
As for the remaining points you've made and the ideas you offered up:
1- Adding a SOPine-like RK3399 module would greatly increase manufacture cost, and contrary to what you may think it would not improve upgradability over the current scheme where you will be able to exchange current mainboard (something I am sure current Pinebook owners will appreciate) for a new one with a upgraded SOC.
2- Not everyone buying the PineBook (Pro) has a clusterboard or even an interest in SBCs - and related embedded applications.
3- Two things about the backlit keyboard suggestion: i) backlit keyboards are great but surprisingly expensive (would drive BOM up a fair bit) and ii) the money that a backlit keyboard costs is better spent on more eMMC storage, better LCD, better components, etc., remembering that the target price for the unit is $200.
4- Seems like a total gimmick to me - personally I wouldn't want a TP LCD instead of a trackpad. What good does it do other than eat away at battery?
5- not possible due to case tooling; then there is the issue with backwards compatibility for current Pinebook users. I see this as a non-issue.
6- not sure what you mean by 'another SODIMM slot' - there are no SODIMM slots on the Pinebook pro (the max RAM the RK3399 supports is 4GB), and there really isn't a way to 'add' another SOC ... not sure I understand your point.
7-8- not really necessary IMO for what the Pinebook Pro is meant to be. As for replacement parts, as with the current Pinebook the Pro variant will surely also have replacement parts in the store eventually, so if you break the LCD or keyboard you'll be able to exchange just the one component that is broken.
Take away: bringing a well spec'd FOSS ARM laptop to the market is not simple and offering it at a (very) good price is crucial to its success. Many of the suggestions you offered would increase the BOM cost, which would lessen the interest in the device; in turn, fewer users would result in the dev community having a lesser incentive to actively develop for the PB Pro. The device is already very modular and, as is the case with the current Pinebook, if there will be new SOCs introduced in the future viable for laptop use, you will most surely have an upgrade option ...
Before going though them, lets me start with the TRES-A64; hardware wise its nearly identical to the original Pinebook (the Pinebook has a higher res LCD)...and it costs over twice as much.
As for the remaining points you've made and the ideas you offered up:
1- Adding a SOPine-like RK3399 module would greatly increase manufacture cost, and contrary to what you may think it would not improve upgradability over the current scheme where you will be able to exchange current mainboard (something I am sure current Pinebook owners will appreciate) for a new one with a upgraded SOC.
2- Not everyone buying the PineBook (Pro) has a clusterboard or even an interest in SBCs - and related embedded applications.
3- Two things about the backlit keyboard suggestion: i) backlit keyboards are great but surprisingly expensive (would drive BOM up a fair bit) and ii) the money that a backlit keyboard costs is better spent on more eMMC storage, better LCD, better components, etc., remembering that the target price for the unit is $200.
4- Seems like a total gimmick to me - personally I wouldn't want a TP LCD instead of a trackpad. What good does it do other than eat away at battery?
5- not possible due to case tooling; then there is the issue with backwards compatibility for current Pinebook users. I see this as a non-issue.
6- not sure what you mean by 'another SODIMM slot' - there are no SODIMM slots on the Pinebook pro (the max RAM the RK3399 supports is 4GB), and there really isn't a way to 'add' another SOC ... not sure I understand your point.
7-8- not really necessary IMO for what the Pinebook Pro is meant to be. As for replacement parts, as with the current Pinebook the Pro variant will surely also have replacement parts in the store eventually, so if you break the LCD or keyboard you'll be able to exchange just the one component that is broken.
Take away: bringing a well spec'd FOSS ARM laptop to the market is not simple and offering it at a (very) good price is crucial to its success. Many of the suggestions you offered would increase the BOM cost, which would lessen the interest in the device; in turn, fewer users would result in the dev community having a lesser incentive to actively develop for the PB Pro. The device is already very modular and, as is the case with the current Pinebook, if there will be new SOCs introduced in the future viable for laptop use, you will most surely have an upgrade option ...
