M5Stack Cardputer Adv
pros and cons
- Neat, well-made, and portable.
- Has a large, active support and development community.
- Very competitively priced.
- Quite a steep learning curve.
- Limitations compared to the Raspberry Pi or Flipper Zero.
on Google.
Mention a computer you can fit into your pocket, and people seem to have one of two reactions:
They either say “So, it’s like a Raspberry Pi!”
Also: The Flipper One may be the ultimate Linux PC for hackers in 2026 – and I’m excited
When talking about the M5stack Cardputer Adv
So, what is it?
Hardware-wise, the Cardputer Adv is a pocket computer that’s the size of a stack of credit cards (over twenty cards, so we’re talking a Warren Buffett stack here) that comes complete with a keyboard and a teeny-tiny display.
Oh, and there’s a lanyard hole.
Powering the entire package is a 1,750mAh Li-ion battery, which is pretty hefty for a package of this size. It’s a really compact, neat bit of 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.
I love the design of the Cardputer Adv.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I suggest starting small and working up from there so you don’t get overwhelmed. Like with a new Raspberry Pi or Arduino, you’ll soon be doing things that amaze you.
Cardputer Adv vs. Raspberry Pi vs. Flipper Zero
A question I’ve seen a lot is whether someone should get a Cardputer Adv, a Raspberry Pi, or a Flipper Zero. Let’s tackle the Flipper Zero comparison first.
Yes, the Cardputer Adv is quite a cool tool, and there’s no doubt that it could be used for ethical hacking tasks. But it’s important to be aware of the hardware limitations.
For example, the IR is emitter only, so unlike the Zero, it can’t be used to clone remotes. Also, there’s no sub-GHz or NFC/RFID support, and there’s no USB-RS232 support, so the Cardputer Adv can’t act as a keyboard. And while the Cardputer Adv does have Bluetooth support that rivals that of the Zero, the software support on the Zero is far better.
One thing that the Cardputer Adv does have that the Zero does not is out-of-the-box Wi-Fi support. I did manage to get Marauder Wi-Fi security scanner software to run on it, but it took a fair bit of Googling.
Also: I found an M.2 dock that handles SSD cloning without a computer – and with only one click
Cardputer Adv is also fun, and the community around it is quite vibrant, active, and supportive of newbies based on what I’ve seen (something that sadly can’t be said of the Raspberry Pi community at times).
ZDNET’s buying advice
The M5Stamp Cardputer Adv for about $30.
All this talk of integrated development environment and downloading drivers might make the Cardputer Adv seem complicated, and to be honest, compared to most modern gadgets — it is. But it’s also fun, and can be the catalyst for some pretty deep learning.