GenBook RK3588 is a modular Linux (and Android) laptop powered by a Rockchip RK3588 Arm system-on-module (SoM), and easily serviceable by the user who can add M.2 MVMe SSD storage, switch wireless module, and eventually update to a more powerful SoM, or even change the display.
It looks very similar to the Cool Pi Arm Linux laptop, and it’s indeed made by the same company, but a representative told CNX Software that the GenBook RK3588 was an upgrade of the Cool Pi without further details. So let’s have a closer look.
GenBook RK3588 laptop specifications:
- System-on-Module – GenM5 (same as Cool Pi CM5 except for the move from LPDDR4/4X to LPDDR5)
- SoC – Rockchip RK3588 octa-core processor with
- System Memory – 8GB or 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage – 64GB eMMC flash memory
- Audio – Realtek ES8336 audio codec
- Networking – RTL8111HS and RTL8211F Gigabit Ethernet chips
- 314-pin MXM 3.0 edge connector for insertion into a carrier board
- Supply voltage – 4.2 to 4.8V DC
- Dimensions – 82 x 60 mm
- Temperature Range – 0 to 70°C
- Storage – Optional M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe Gen3 x4) SSD
- Display – Replaceable 14.1-inch display with 1920×1080 resolution, 300cd/m2 brightness (model: BOE NV140FHM-N42)
- Video Output
- HDMI 2.1 port up to 8Kp60 resolution
- DisplayPort 1.4 via USB-C port
- Audio
- 3.5mm audio jack for headphones or external speakers
- Stereo 8 Ohms (1.2W) speakers
- 2x microphones
- Camera – 2.0 MP webcam
- Connectivity
- WiFi 6 2×2 MIMO and Bluetooth 5.2 via Realtek RTL8852BE
Optional 4G LTE cellular connectivity via M.2 socket- Optional 5G module via FPC connector
- USB
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A port
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps) Type-C OTG port with DisplayPort Alt. mode
- User inputs – QWERTY keyboard and touchpad
- Sensors – Hall sensor
- Expansion – 50-pin FPC connector with
- PCIe 2.0 x1, USB 3.0, or SATA 3.0 (multiplexed)
- 2x USB 2.0 host interfaces
- Gigabit Ethernet
- SDMMC 3.0
- UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO
- Misc
- Charging and Power LEDs
- Power button
- Battery
- 38 Wh (7.6V/5000mAh) capacity
- 130 hours of standby time
- 7 hours of video playback
- 3.5 hours charging time
- Power Supply
- 9V to 20V DC input for charging
- USB PD charging (works only when the laptop is on)
- Dimensions – 323.4 x 219.9 x 19.9 mm (shell made of plastic)
- Weight – 1.5 kg
The main differences against the original Cool Pi laptop are that the system-on-module module now comes with LPDDR5 memory instead of LPDDR4/4X memory, a slightly brighter display is used (300cd/m2 vs 250cd/m2) and there’s a 50-pin FPC connector for expansion such as 5G and other future boards/modules with PCIe, SATA, USB, GbE, and/or other interfaces as listed in the specifications.
The company will provide Debian 11 (default), Ubuntu 20.04/22.04/24.04, Armbian, Android 14, UOS, KylinOS, and Alt-Linux images for the laptop. Cool Pi/Open SBC/Shenzhen Tianmao Technology (three names for the same company) will eventually provide documentation on the wiki including OrCAD and PDF schematics for the mainboard, PDF schematics for the SoM, and OS images. They’ve actually done that on the Crowd Supply, but the OS images are behind an account-protected Onedrive share… You can also get some support on the English/Chinese forums and download the OS images from Baidu (usually slow outside of China).
Shenzhen Tianmao Technology has launched the GenBook RK3588 on Crowd Supply with a $60,000 funding target. They have no backers right now, likely because the value proposition is not amazing with the model with 8GB RAM and a 64GB eMMC flash going for $500, and the 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD for $700 including worldwide shipping. Backers will also need to be patient as the RK3588 laptop is only scheduled to ship by the end of April 2025.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Really interesting and original. Conception (modularity, open source), design (with easy acces to parts for replacement or upgrade, there’s even an expansion port) and overhaul features … All good.
There is a little error at the end of your post: for 500$ you get a 8GB RAM + 64GB EMMC.version, that’s not too expensive imo (compared to a Framework laptop eg)
Yes, if you are going to compare it to the Framework laptop it’s not expensive.
But I was comparing it (maybe unfairly) to an entry-level laptop with a 15.6-inch display, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and 13th gen Intel processor (Core i3-100U) that I could get for around $350 here.
Do you think they can even justify the pricing based on the $289 CoolPi’s rep commented beneath your article from last year?
“the model with 32GB RAM and a 64GB eMMC” is not a model they offer. It’s 8GB RAM. Jean-Luc, can you please correct that in your article.
And then it’s expensive.
Missing Trackpoint – unusable for me.
Just create a Notebook where you can attach a typical thinkpad T420/T430 keyboard. Done. This is reall not that hard in engeneering.
Companies create much more complex things like full laptops and a keyboard. Just dont design a keyboard yourself. Make the thinkpad connector and let the people be able to swap easy their keyboards for language they want or something else.
They beat PINE64 to the punch on a RK3588 laptop (there have been posts on their forum calling for a RK3588 upgrade to the PineBook Pro practically since the chip was announced) but this phrase in GenBook’s campaign material is a little concerning:
“If the initial production order is large, we may spend more time and effort on procurement, production, and quality.”
Lot of money. Then more attractive to buy a Snapdragon X laptop, and put Ubuntu on it?
Much more attractive, this is FAR overpriced and the 3588 isn’t that good, especially compared to an Intel N97 or as you mentioned SDX.
The Rockchip ubuntu dev recently decided to leave Rockchip linux dev due to burnout issues.
https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2024/popular-rockchip-sbc-distro-limbo-after-maintainer-burns-out
https://github.com/Joshua-Riek/ubuntu-rockchip/discussions/1104
Overpriced laptop as every single one that is being released on ARM. It’s same thing as Snapdragon on Windows, waste of resources AND money.
I believe manufacturers and devs are just trying to be funny and see if something bites the bait, but no. It’s not funny anymore after 10 years of trying.
Get a laptop with a Ryzen CPU that literally obliterates RK3588 SoC for that money and enjoy life.