If you have been thinking about buying a PINE64 Linux device, you might not want to wait too long. The company has delivered some pretty lousy news for fans of its open source hardware, warning that production of additional Linux devices is essentially on hold for the foreseeable future.
In a message shared through its Telegram news channel, PINE64 blamed the current DRAM and eMMC shortage, saying there are no plans to continue producing more Linux devices in the near future. Even more concerning, the company says the situation may not be reconsidered until after the middle of 2027.
“Hi everyone! Just a quick reminder that due to the current DRAM/eMMC shortage, there isn’t any plans to continue producing more Linux devices in the near future. Whether production continues or not depends on the pricing situation for those components after mid 2027,” PINE64 explained.
In other words, this isn’t simply a brief production hiccup with another batch expected next month. PINE64 appears prepared to wait and see what happens with component pricing before deciding whether producing more Linux hardware makes financial sense.
That could become particularly noticeable for two existing products. PINE64 estimates that both the PineNote and PineTab2 could run out of stock within approximately three months.
“Devices like the PineNote and PineTab2 are currently estimated to run out of stock in three months time. Just pre-warning everyone in case people start asking when things are going to be in stock again,” the company said.
The PineTab2 is particularly interesting for Linux enthusiasts because it is an ARM-based tablet designed to run Linux rather than Android or another conventional mobile operating system. PineNote, meanwhile, is an open source e-ink tablet aimed at users interested in a much more hackable alternative to mainstream e-readers.
Not everything from PINE64 is being put on ice. The company says production of devices including PineTime, PineVoice, and Pinecil will continue normally. Those products are based around microcontrollers and aren’t affected in quite the same way as its Linux hardware.
There is some potentially good news surrounding the upcoming PineTime Pro as well. PINE64 says its current demonstration firmware already includes basic drivers for the display, touchscreen, motion sensing, GPS, buttons, battery charger, motor, microphone, and speaker. Work on the heart rate sensor is also underway, although PINE64 says some issues need to be resolved before a pilot production batch can begin.
Still, PINE64 isn’t pretending the broader situation looks good.
“That’s it for this post, all in all it’s a bit bleak for the Linux devices, but in the meantime PineStore still have a great lineup of MCU powered devices which will continue to expand with more exciting devices,” the company said.
“Bleak” is probably the right word. PINE64 has long occupied an unusual place in the Linux hardware world, offering inexpensive and experimental devices that give enthusiasts something different from the locked-down hardware sold by mainstream technology companies.
The important distinction is that PINE64 isn’t saying it has abandoned Linux hardware permanently. Production could eventually return. But that decision apparently depends on where DRAM and eMMC pricing goes after mid-2027, and there is no guarantee that conditions will improve enough to make additional production worthwhile.
For anyone interested in a PineNote or PineTab2, however, the message is much simpler. Once the existing inventory is gone, don’t assume another shipment is right around the corner.
Support independent tech journalism
NERDS.xyz is independently owned and operated. If you enjoy my coverage of Linux, AI, hardware, cybersecurity, and tech culture, consider supporting the site on Ko-fi.
Support NERDS.xyz