12-05-2020, 07:31 PM
Yes, I'd buy 2 of the replacement 2.2 boards. And yes, I agree with the USB-C charging improvements and the over-heating of the battery charger IC. And the other power sensing one, which has not affected me, (yet?).
In some ways, this could be considered for a later model of Pinebook Pro. Then enough 2.2 newer boards made to allow those who want to upgrade.
Plus, I'd like to see some other trivial board layout changes;
Easy solder / connector pads for the serial console. They ARE available, but I'd like them easy to deal with on the main board's front edge, (as is the PCIe / NVMe connector). For example, have the serial console as a block of 2x2 solder pads or miniature connector hole pads for TX, RX, GND & 3.3volts. Then, someone wanting to add a connector or wire can do so.
Next, I'd like to see the 2 un-used USB 2.0 host ports from the internal USB 2.0 hub brought out to the main boards front edge. Plus, those 2 port's associated LED/OVCUR/PWRENB connections. And of course, GND + both 3.3v & 5v power. So this should be 2 x 6 pin pads, identical to each other. That would make it easier to use just one port. Or both interchangeably. This should also be a miniature connector hole & pad.
Note what I mean by miniature connector hole pads are smaller than the old stock type used by say the ROCKPro64 for it's main expansion. Perhaps the spacing & size used by the WiFi connector of the ROCKPro64, which is smaller, (but still reasonably easy to deal with). And as long as the connector holes are on the front edge, we could even use a right angle connector.
Other improvements could be contemplated. For example, people have indicated that the WiFi chip gets hot. So perhaps a thermal pad or miniature heat sink could be included.
In some ways, this could be considered for a later model of Pinebook Pro. Then enough 2.2 newer boards made to allow those who want to upgrade.
Plus, I'd like to see some other trivial board layout changes;
Easy solder / connector pads for the serial console. They ARE available, but I'd like them easy to deal with on the main board's front edge, (as is the PCIe / NVMe connector). For example, have the serial console as a block of 2x2 solder pads or miniature connector hole pads for TX, RX, GND & 3.3volts. Then, someone wanting to add a connector or wire can do so.
Next, I'd like to see the 2 un-used USB 2.0 host ports from the internal USB 2.0 hub brought out to the main boards front edge. Plus, those 2 port's associated LED/OVCUR/PWRENB connections. And of course, GND + both 3.3v & 5v power. So this should be 2 x 6 pin pads, identical to each other. That would make it easier to use just one port. Or both interchangeably. This should also be a miniature connector hole & pad.
Note what I mean by miniature connector hole pads are smaller than the old stock type used by say the ROCKPro64 for it's main expansion. Perhaps the spacing & size used by the WiFi connector of the ROCKPro64, which is smaller, (but still reasonably easy to deal with). And as long as the connector holes are on the front edge, we could even use a right angle connector.
Other improvements could be contemplated. For example, people have indicated that the WiFi chip gets hot. So perhaps a thermal pad or miniature heat sink could be included.
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Arwen Evenstar
Princess of Rivendale
Arwen Evenstar
Princess of Rivendale