This portable computer is the alternative to the Raspberry Pi I didn’t need

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite source On Google.

Mention a computer you can carry in your pocket, and people have one of two reactions:

They either say “So, it’s like raspberry Pi!” Or they say “Ah, it’s like something else flipper zero!”

Also: Flipper One could be the ultimate Linux PC for hackers in 2026 – and I’m excited

talking about when M5stack Cardputer AdvisorIt’s really like both. But also, neither. However, the M5Stack is definitely an interesting kit for those who want to get their hands dirty.

then what is it?

Hardware-wise, the Cardputer AD is a pocket computer the size of a stack of credit cards (over twenty cards, so we’re talking a Warren Buffett stack here) that comes with a keyboard and a small display.

It is a system that is built to handle rapid prototyping, industrial controls, and home controls, and is built around a module called M5Stack. Stamp-S3A main; A low-power, dual-core, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 low-energy capable system-on-a-chip. This means that if we were to compare Cardputer Aid to anything, it would be raspberry pi 400/500 System. In short, it is a computing module that is connected to a keyboard.

Also: I used a $4 timer to reboot my router, and it actually made my internet faster

There’s a lot included in this package. The keyboard has a full 56 keys that are surprisingly usable (even for someone who has a touch of peripheral neuropathy), and the display is a 1.14″ color LCD panel that’s surprisingly readable. It features an ES8311 audio codec subsystem, a high SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) microphone, and audio There is also a 3.5 mm jack handling the.

In addition, there is a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor, an IR emitter to transmit data to TVs and devices that can be controlled remotely, a microSD Card slot to add more storage, a 0-4P Grove Port and one EXT 2.54-14P expansion bus To interface with external devices and peripherals.

But there is more. The base has magnets so that the cardputer can be stuck to the iron surface, and there are holes lego Compatible to integrate Cardputer with your build project.

Oh, and there’s a lanyard hole.

Powering the entire package is a 1,750mAh Li-ion battery, which is quite hefty for a package of this size. It’s a really compact, neat kit. It’s also covered in graphics explaining the function of different parts of the system, another neat touch, and fits in with the design aesthetic of other M5Stack products.

what can it do?

Out of the box, you have a lot of things to play with, like access to a six-axis motion sensor ad IR emitter, scan for Wi-Fi channels, record audio, GPS receiver, lorachat long distance radioand more. These are fairly basic apps, mostly to get you started with the system. If you do a quick internet search, you’ll find plenty of apps that you can download and install (Here Are Some? To to get You started).

One thing you need to be familiar with is M5Burner App Used to upload apps and code to the Cardputer addon. The app can be a little fiddly to work (I had a little trouble getting it to work on a Mac and need to download driver), but that’s part of the learning, and it helps you become familiar with the entire online support community.

Cardputer Aid really comes in handy when you want to start programming things yourself. You can use M5Stack yourself uiflow 2.0 integrated development environment, or you can use arduino. Here another phase of learning begins. How intense this is depends on how much background you have in programming and what your aspirations are.

I suggest starting small and working up from there so you don’t get overwhelmed. Like the new Raspberry Pi or Arduino, you’ll soon be doing things that will surprise you.

Cardputer ED vs Raspberry Pi vs Flipper Zero

A question I see a lot is whether one should get a Cardputer AD, Raspberry Pi, or Flipper Zero. Let’s tackle the Flipper Zero comparison first.

Yes, Cardputer Aid is quite a good tool and there is no doubt about it Can be used for ethical hacking tasks. But it’s important to be aware of hardware limitations.

Plus: I hogged 4 Bluetooth trackers (including AirTags) to test their reliability — here’s how Android rivals compare

For example, IR is emitter-only, so unlike the Zero, it cannot be used to clone a remote. Additionally, there is no sub-GHz or NFC/RFID support, and no USB-RS232 support, so the Cardputer cannot function as a keyboard. And while the Cardputer Edge has Bluetooth support that rivals the Zero, the software support on the Zero is far superior.

One thing the Cardputer AD that the Zero doesn’t have is out-of-the-box Wi-Fi support. i managed to get the robber There was Wi-Fi security scanner software to run on it, but it required a lot of Googling.

The Raspberry Pi is also a very different animal. It is very mature and has a huge user base. It’s a far easier platform to get started with, but that’s because you’re booting into a full operating system and can use a big-boy keyboard and display.

i think more about cardputer ed Adafruit HUZZAH32Which is a tool for developers who want a compact platform to run Arduino code, or a platform to safely learn Arduino programming.

Also: I found an M.2 dock that handles SSD cloning without a computer – and with just one click

Cardputer ed is also fun, and from what I’ve seen the community around it is quite vibrant, active, and supportive of newcomers (sadly the same can’t be said about the Raspberry Pi community at times).

ZDNET’s shopping advice

M5Stamp Cardputer Consultant It’s also cheap, costing around $42, which is the kind of price you can buy a 1GB Raspberry Pi 5 for these days. You can also get accessories for Cardputer Aid, such as hardware to install it. Meshtastic open-source, off-grid LoRa-based communications platform For about $30.

All this talk of integrated development environments and downloading drivers can make Cardputer Aid seem complicated, and honestly, compared to most modern gadgets – it is. But it’s also fun, and can be a catalyst for some deep learning.