ARM-powered GenBook RK3588 modular laptop running Linux to soon enter crowdfunding round

Although ARM has seen solid Linux support for decades now, as most smartphone OSes are Unix-derived and Apple MacBooks can already run Asahi, brand new laptop processors like the Snapdragon X Elite from Qualcomm do not fully support Linux out of the box. The good news is that full compatibility could be enabled sometime later this year, so Snapdragon fans might not have to wait too long, but if you want to play around with an ARM-based Linux laptop in the meantime and cannot really afford a Mac, maybe give the upcoming GenBook RK3588 modular laptop a try.

Developed by a Chinese company in Shenzhen focusing on open-source technology, the GenBook RK3588 will soon go through a crowdfunding round on CrowdSupply. Just like the Framework Laptop that is quite popular these days, the GenBook features a modular design that allows users to upgrade most of the components. The default chassis has a 19.9 mm profile and the whole system weighs 1.5 kg (3.31 lbs).

The initial specs supplied with the GenBook are clearly budget-oriented, but these could eventually be swapped out for more powerful components as they become available. This laptop is actually based on the Cool Pi CM5 launched last year with a Rockchip RK3588 processor featuring 4x ARM Cortex A76 + 4x ARM Cortex-A55 cores, a Mali-G610 MP4 GPU and a 6 TOPS NPU. However, the GenBook now features 8 to 32 GB LPDDR5X RAM instead of LPDDR4X, a TPM module for increased security and better power management that allows the 38 Wh battery to last longer. Storage is limited to  64 GB eMMC, but users may add a PCIe 3.0 X4 NVMe SSD.

By default, the 14-inch display is not that great as it only supports 1080p @60 Hz and is capable of maximum 300 nit brightness. Better panels will soon be added as upgrade options. Port selection is modest with 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (DP mode), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI video out and TRSS audio jack. Users can also add more ports via a 50-pin FPC expansion card that can host either a PCIe 2.0X1 slot, SATA3 connector or USB-A 3.0 port, plus 2x USB 2.0 host interfaces, SDMMC 3.0 card reader, GbE NIC and UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO pins.

Future options may include a 5G module, encryption chips and even FPGAs. Also provided are a Realtek RTL8852BE WiFi 6 + Bluetooth 5.2 card for wireless connectivity, dual 1.2 W speakers powered by an Everest ES8336 DAC and an FHD webcam with physical disconnection switch.

Pricing information is not yet available, but seeing that the original Cool Pi CM5 with 8 GB RAM is going for ~$350 on AliExpress, the GenBook RK3588 could launch at a similar price point. Linux support is offered for Debian 11, Ubuntu 20.04 to 24.04, Armbian, Android 14, UOS, Kylin and Alt-Linux.