DeepComputing launches RISC V mainboard upgrade for Framework Laptop 13

DeepComputing has opened orders for a new RISC V mainboard built for the Framework Laptop 13, giving owners a rare way to move from an Intel x86 system to a native RISC V Linux development machine without replacing the whole laptop.

The board is called DC ROMA RISC V Mainboard III and starts at $699. It was first shown at FOSDEM 2026 in January and appeared again at Framework’s NextGen event in April. The first batch is expected to ship at the end of June 2026.

The mainboard uses the SpacemiT K3 SoC. DeepComputing lists an 8 core RVA23 CPU running at up to 2.5GHz, along with an 8 core RVA22 AI focused CPU. The company claims up to 60 TOPS of general purpose AI compute. Memory options include 16GB or 32GB of onboard LPDDR5.

The biggest appeal is Framework compatibility. Owners of the original 2021 Framework Laptop 13 with an 11th Gen Intel board should be able to swap in this RISC V mainboard while keeping the same chassis, keyboard, screen, battery, and Expansion Card system.

That makes it very different from buying a normal developer board. You get a complete laptop platform, but with a different CPU architecture inside. For developers working on Linux, compilers, RISC V software ports, or the RVA23 software stack, this could be a useful portable test machine.

DeepComputing is clear that this is not meant as a normal consumer laptop upgrade. The Ubuntu image is aimed at RISC V developer use and is not production ready. That means buyers should expect rough edges, missing software support, and a more experimental experience than a regular Windows or Linux laptop.

The pricing also shows that this is a specialist product. At $699 for the board alone, it is not a cheap upgrade for casual users. The value is mostly for developers and researchers who want real RISC V hardware in a modular laptop form.

Still, the launch is important for Framework’s ecosystem. It shows how the company’s modular laptop design can support more than simple CPU generation upgrades. A laptop that started as an Intel x86 machine can now become a RISC V development device, which is exactly the kind of long term flexibility Framework has been promoting.