Pine64 announces PineTab2 Linux tablet powered by Rockchip RK3566

Pine64 is well-known for making affordable open-source gadgets and devices. Today, the company announced its latest device, the PineTab2. 

As the name implies, the PineTab2 is a tablet. Like all of Pine64's devices, it will run Linux and will likely support a variety of Linux distros. The tablet will feature a 10.1-inch IPS touchscreen with a currently unknown resolution housed in a metal frame. Pine64 has selected the Rockchip RK3566 SoC to power the tablet. Pine64 previously used this chip in their Quartz64 Model B single-board computer, and the silicon has been featured in a variety of other small gadgets. 

The PineTab2 will have either 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage or 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. It will also support storage expansion via microSD. I/O will include a USB-C 3.0 port, a USB-C 2.0 port (data and power), a micro HDMI port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There will be a 2 MP front-facing camera and a 5 MP rear camera. 

Pine64 will include a backlit keyboard cover with the PineTab2. This keyboard will use the same chipset as the one used in the keyboard of the Pinebook Pro, which means end users can flash their own firmware to it.

Like many of Pine64's other devices, the PineTab2 is designed for hackers and tinkerers. To that end, the tablet will be easy to open and repair. Pine64 said the internal components will be as modular as possible. The company stated that "the camera modules, the daughter-board, the battery, and USB keyboard connector can all be replaced in under 5 minutes."

The PineTab2 is Pine64's second shot at a Linux tablet. Their first tablet, the PineTab, fell into obscurity during the chip shortage caused by the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

Pine64 didn't give any specifics on delivery dates or pricing for the PineTab2 at the time of writing. If Pine64's other devices are any indication, the PineTab2 should be very affordable when it is launched.