MUSE Book laptop review – Testing an octa-core RISC-V Linux laptop in 2026 - CNX Software

Abstract

The article provides a review of the MUSE Book, an octa-core RISC-V laptop running Linux, focusing on its performance and viability in the projected 2026 computing landscape. This testing marks a significant step forward, demonstrating the successful integration of a high-core-count RISC-V chip into a consumer-grade mobile form factor. The successful deployment signals crucial progress in both hardware maturity and software ecosystem readiness for the open instruction set architecture.

Report

MUSE Book Laptop Review Analysis

Key Highlights

• The analysis centers on the performance review of the “MUSE Book,” a novel computing device.
• The laptop is powered by a high-performance octa-core RISC-V processor.
• The testing environment utilizes the Linux operating system, critical for evaluating ecosystem compatibility.
• The review is set in the 2026 timeline, emphasizing the future readiness and competitive position of the hardware.
• This product serves as a crucial proof point for RISC-V's expansion into the mainstream consumer laptop market.

Technical Details

• Processor: Octa-core RISC-V CPU, indicating a focus on high-performance mobile computing rather than low-power embedded use cases.
• Platform: Full laptop form factor (MUSE Book), requiring robust power management, peripheral integration, and thermal solutions suitable for mobile use.
• Operating System: Linux, confirming the reliance on and progress within the open-source software stack for critical system operations and user applications.
• Testing Scope: The review involves performance benchmarking and real-world usage assessment, determining the chip's competitive standing against existing x86 and ARM solutions.

Implications

• Ecosystem Validation: The successful implementation of an octa-core system validates the maturity of the RISC-V hardware design space, proving the ISA can scale to complex, multi-core consumer demands.
• Software Readiness: Running a usable Linux environment suggests that key dependencies—including compilers, kernel support, drivers, and major application compatibility—have reached a critical level of readiness for mainstream adoption.
• Market Competition: The MUSE Book positions RISC-V as a viable competitor in the traditional PC and laptop market, offering an alternative that supports open standards and potentially challenges the dominance of proprietary architectures.
• Future Confidence: Focusing the review on 2026 demonstrates high confidence in the architecture's future trajectory regarding optimization and rapid development, anticipating full market viability within a few years.