A third world engineer responds to “RISC-V: They should have known better” (rvembedded.com)

Article summary

The article is a response to a criticism of RISC-V, a microcontroller architecture, from the perspective of an embedded engineer working in Trinidad and Tobago. The author argues that the criticism is biased towards the needs of high-end CPU users and ignores the needs of users in developing countries where cost and accessibility are more important. The author also highlights the flexibility and customizability of RISC-V, which allows it to be used in a wide range of applications. The author's experience with RISC-V has been positive, and they believe it has the potential to democratize access to technology.

Main themes

• RISC-V architecture
• Embedded engineering
• Global accessibility
• Cost and affordability
• Microcontroller design
• Instruction set architecture

What commenters say

• The article's perspective on RISC-V is refreshing and highlights the importance of considering the needs of users in developing countries.
• The criticism of RISC-V is valid, and its limitations make it unsuitable for high-end applications.
• The cost of shipping and accessibility of technology is a significant issue in many parts of the world, and RISC-V can help address this problem.
• The flexibility and customizability of RISC-V are major advantages, allowing it to be used in a wide range of applications.
• The Hacker News community is still US-centric, and the article's perspective is a welcome change from the usual Bay Area-centric views.
• The article's claim that RISC-V can be used in high-end applications is overstated, and it is primarily suited for low-end uses.
• The comparison between RISC-V and ARM is unfair, as ARM has a more established ecosystem and better support for high-end applications.
• The article's focus on the needs of users in developing countries is important, and the tech industry should prioritize accessibility and affordability in its designs.