Sipeed Launches 14-inch Lichee Pad Max 4A, 2K Display, and Removable CPU Module
Chinese hardware maker Sipeed recently announced the Lichee Pad Max 4A, a new 14-inch Linux tablet aimed at developers and tinkerers.
The device packs impressive specs, including a removable RISC-V processor module, a high-res 2240 x 1400 pixel touchscreen display, and support for external SSD storage.
The star of the show is Sipeed’s LM4A module, which powers the tablet using a quad-core T-Head TH1520 RISC-V processor.
RISC-V is an open standard instruction set architecture. The LM4A module can be easily swapped out, providing flexibility for future upgrades.
Memory and storage options are generous, with the Lichee Pad Max 4A offering up to 16GB of RAM and 128GB of internal eMMC storage. There’s also support for adding speedy external NGFF 2242 SSDs over USB.
Despite the large 14-inch display size, Sipeed has packed the Lichee Pad Max 4A into a compact and portable chassis measuring just 32 x 21 x 2cm.
A detachable keyboard accessory adds some bulk but turns the device into a versatile 2-in-1 laptop replacement.
Connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4. Wired options include USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-C ports, plus a USB 2.0 Type-A port and a microSD card reader. There’s even a 3.5mm audio jack and stereo speakers for multimedia enjoyment.
The Lichee Pad Max 4A ships with Debian Linux pre-installed. RISC-V support in Linux distributions is rapidly evolving, providing access to a wide array of open-source Arm software.
Android or other operating systems could likely be ported as well thanks to mainline Linux kernel support.
Pricing and availability details remain unannounced. But interested customers can pre-order the Sipeed Lichee Pad Max 4A now with a $20 deposit.
This Linux-powered RISC-V tablet shows plenty of promise for developers, makers, and open computing enthusiasts.
The Product link: https://sipeed.com/licheepi4a
Lichee Pad Max 4A Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 14-inch, 2240 x 1400 LCD, 100% sRGB |
| Processor | Sipeed LM4A module with T-Head TH1520 quad-core RISC-V CPU |
| Memory | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4X RAM |
| Storage | 32GB or 128GB eMMC internal storage + External NGFF 2242 SSD support |
| Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
1 x MicroSD card reader, 1 x Mini HDMI |
| Camera | 2MP front-facing + 5MP rear-facing |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone jack, Stereo speakers, MEMS microphones |
| OS | Debian Linux |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Dimensions | Tablet: 320 x 210 x 10 mm
With keyboard: 320 x 210 x 20 mm |
| Weight | Tablet: 1 kg
With keyboard: 2.1 kg |
| Other Features | Detachable keyboard, Removable LM4A CPU module |
– Jim Miller
Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”