Open source alternative to x86 and Arm could take off in 2025

Deep within your computer is a blueprint that specifies a certain “language” of machine instructions it can understand and execute. This blueprint (called the “instruction set architecture”) sits between your computer’s software and hardware.

In order for any given app to function properly on your computer, it needs to “speak” the same language — that way your computer can understand what it wants to do and perform the proper actions on the hardware.

Until now, different instruction set architectures have been proprietary and incompatible with each other (except via emulation, which is like real-time translation between blueprint languages). The x86 and Arm architectures are the best-known real-world examples.

But from 2025 onwards, you’ll be able to buy a computer where everything within is open and customizable. That’s thanks to RISC-V (pronounced “risk five”), an open instruction set architecture used in customized processors for a range of applications.

Framework plans to launch a laptop supporting a RISC-V-based motherboard in 2025. The product is so far aimed at technology enthusiasts and developers, but is expected to be the most user-friendly and refined RISC-V laptop yet, IEEE Spectrum reports.

RISC-V, unlike x86 and Arm, is completely open source and can be used without any licensing fees. This makes the technology more flexible, cheaper, and customizable for manufacturers. In fact, it’s already being used by hard drive manufacturer Western Digital.

RISC-V has the potential to make both hardware and software more accessible and coordinated, and 2025 could be the year when RISC-V computers pave the way towards a new standard.