Isn’t that kind of like saying automated testing (for apps written without testing in mind) isn’t worth it because you have to spend time getting code into a state that is testable?

I do agree that it takes a lot of work to get something usable, and so I think we are a ways off from mainstream risc-v. I do also think there is a lot more value for low power devices like embedded/IoT or instances where you need special hardware. Facebook uses it to make special video transcoding hardware.

Getting the chip stable is one thing. Getting all the various software applications that one uses test their chip is another, and a lot of hardware companies won’t have experience there. Then there is customer code…