RCORE V2 RK3588 module launched for MNT Reform laptops (Crowdfunding)

MNT Reform has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the RCORE V2 module powered by a Rockchip RK3588 SoC coupled with up to 32GB RAM, and a 256GB eMMC flash for the company’s open-source hardware laptops, be it the original MNT Reform or the MNT Reform Pocket.

It appears to me that it’s the same module as found in the MNT Reform Next 12.5-inch laptop scheduled to ship by the end of December, but it’s sold separately as an upgrade kit for users of previous models of MNT Reform laptops. The company explains that the RCORE V2 brings a third M.2 slot for fast PCIe-based Wi-Fi cards (with USB Bluetooth), and it’s easier to install since it works without an internal HDMI adapter.

MNT Reform RCORE V2 specifications:

• Based on the Firefly iCore-3588Q module as found in the Firefly AIO-3588Q board
  • SoC – Rockchip RK3588
    • CPU – Octa-core 64-bit Armv8 SoC with 4x Cortex-A76 cores @ 2.4GHz, 4x Cortex-A55 cores @ 1.8 GHz
    • GPU – ARM Mali-G610 MP4, supports OpenGL ES3.2/OpenCL 2.2/Vulkan1.1
    • NPU – Up to 6 TOPS, supports INT4/INT8/INT16, compatible with TensorFlow/MXNet/PyTorch/Caffe.
    • ISP – Integrated 48MP ISP with HDR & 3DNR.
    • VPU – Supports 8K @ 60fps and 4K @ 60fps video decoding/encoding, including H.265/VP9/AVS2, and H.264 AVC/MVC.
  • System Memory – 16GB or 32GB
  • Storage – 256GB eMMC flash
  • Board-to-board connectors – 3x 80-pin B2B connectors, 1x 100-pin B2B connector
• Adapter carrier board for compatibility with MNT Reform hardware
  • Dual display capable
  • Fast PCIe 3.0+2.0 and USB 3.0

The MNT Reform upgrade kit includes an RCORE V2 SoM, an eDP ribbon cable, an mPCIe adapter for E-key M.2 wireless cards, an acrylic antenna carrier, a thermal pad, and a CNC-milled copper heatsink/heatspreader.

The MNT Pocket Reform upgrade kit features an RCORE V2 SoM, a Wi-Fi/BT carrier board with an empty M.2 E-key slot, a PCIe ribbon cable, and a thermal pad. Neither upgrade kit comes with a WiFi module, so you’d have to source your own.

The Rockchip RK3588 SoC has been around for a few years already, and benefits from solid Linux and Mesa mainline support thanks to Collabora’s work. You’ll find the KiCad hardware design files for the RCORE V2 carrier board on the mnt-reform-rk3588-som repository, and MNT Reform also released a Debian image and related source code/build script.

The RCORE V2 module is now available on Crowd Supply, starting at $500 for the 16GB RAM variant for the MNT Pocket Reform mini laptop, and up to $770 for the 32GB module for the Reform laptop. Shipping is free to the US and adds $12 to the rest of the world. Rewards are scheduled to ship in January 2026, after backers of the Reform Next 12.5-inch laptop receive their laptop.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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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