Basic specifications and features
Balthazar is made to run on Trisquel GNU, Debian and Ubuntu variants of 64 bit low-latency kernel for RISC-V/ARM.
CPU and RAM - as the development goes on BPCD is based on RISC-V and ISA architecture multi-core SoM or a System on a Module "card" that is exchangable and upgradeble.
RISC-V architecture is understood as an ideal vehicle for the security community.
We keep an eye on ARM Cortex - A7x iterations along the path waiting for their development to align with our expectations.
With a maximum reasonable amount of RAM, we use the most rational clock speeds to achieve the best possible computing performance versus battery's power consumption. There should be no compromise there.
GPU - ARM's MALI-4xx architecture would do great, but we also look into drivers' compatibility and openness, too.
While NVIDIA would be technically possibly the best performance choice, issues arise with general attitude towards FOSS compatibilty.
In any case we look and listen into NVIDIA and CUDA options, accelerating totally open documentation from NVIDIA's side.
Also the NVIDIA's Jetson platform is researched for a compatibility with RISC-V architecture, ISA and FOSS .
Storage - a SATA SSD is on board and it should be taken out very fast from a bay.
eSATA connector might help in expanding the storage possibilities.
Fanless - less movable parts means more battery time for the processing power and a passive cooling adds to the longevity of the components. Think quiet.
Boot and sleep - Secure-boot as well as a fast boot time. Nobody has and especially children do not have the patience to wait.
Ever since C64/AMIGA times computers should be able to be switched on and off fast, so using some Libreboot/Coreboot concepts applied in a BPCD BIOS should do it.
BPCD suspends to RAM and goes to hibernate when battery is at 20%. Properly.
Upgradeable - RAM and a processor-board featuring SoC/SoM attachment port.
A non-glare screen - size is 13.3” 16:10 full HD resolution (200 dpi +) that provides far less strain on user's eyes.
A non-reflective - a button driven backlight “off” monochrome mode for very low-power use in sunlight - prolongs a battery life a lot.
LED backlit - colour mode with an alternance of red, green and blue pixels.
A detachable webcam - also with a slide lens cover and a hardware switch for on/off
A volume wheel - ceramic potentiometer with a “click” for the on/off functionality.
GPIO - a retractable and flexible robust flat-ribbon cable connecting General Purpose Input Output 19 pins array for connecting to all the things you want to connect it to.
Quick charging battery - Long Life Cycle Polymer 10000 mAh that is also recyclable.
Hot-swap - a second small battery enabling main battery hot-swap.
Modular - on-board power supply that follows full ACPI specification.
Waterproof keyboard - with a track-point ball.
Multitouch pad - flat-flush and positioned above the keyboard. It has a “Wacom”-style mode for the extended stylus or a finger draw. It is multi-touch and gestures capable.
Casing - a tough, rugged form-factor done by LEGO® A/S in a multi-colour recyclable plastic with added LEGO® studs.
Hardware security and privacy features:
Four (4) hardware off/on switches - webcam (detachable), speakers, the microphones array (detachable) and obligatory Wi-Fi.
Detachable USB gender-changer dongle - that should prevent anyone to plug in USB-anything unless it is attached and a password unlocked, also when it is taken out prevents anyone to stick USB-anything in.
A few extras:
TEMPEST-shield internal cabling - shields from any external and internal electromagnetic radiation. Lead-free, but not inexpensive, mind you.
A stylus - for a pad drawing, also provides enhanced entropy while generating PGP keys, easy graphic editing, poking someone etc.
Additional adapter with an onboard:
LEGO® Power Functions - for powering and the control of actuators. .
RJ-12 LEGO® - “a shifted notch” connector for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® series of actuators and sensors,
a male D-Sub serial port (tty).
Charms:
LEGO® keychain - for the USB dongle.
