M5Stack has teased the CardputerZero, a compact handheld system built around the Raspberry Pi CM0. The device integrates a display, keyboard, battery, and wireless connectivity into a credit card-sized form factor intended for portable Linux-based development and command-line tasks.

The platform uses the Broadcom BCM2837 SoC, featuring a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor operating at up to 1 GHz. It is paired with 512MB of LPDDR2 memory and a microSD card slot for storage.

M5 CardputerZero main features

A 1.9-inch LCD (ST7789V2) is integrated for local interaction, along with a 46-key matrix keyboard. The system also includes a MEMS microphone, 1W speaker, and 3.5 mm audio output, with video available via HDMI at up to 1080p30.

M5 CardputerZero internal view

Wireless connectivity includes 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.2/BLE, with 10/100M Ethernet available for wired networking. USB interfaces include dual USB Type-C ports with host/slave switching and a USB-A host port.

M5 CardputerZero other features

The hardware layout exposes multiple interfaces for expansion. These include Grove (I2C/UART switchable), SPI, I2C, UART, USB, and GPIO through a 2.54 mm header.

A camera interface supports a Sony IMX219 8MP sensor via CSI, with a BMI270 IMU and RTC also included onboard.

M5 CardputerZero

Power is provided by a 3.7V 1500 mAh Li-Po battery, with onboard charging circuitry and fuel gauge monitoring. The design also integrates DC/DC conversion and a USB charging interface.

Specifications listed for the CardputerZero include:

• SoC:
  
  • Broadcom BCM2837
• CPU:
  
  • Quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1 GHz
• Memory/Storage:
  
  • 512MB LPDDR2
  • MicroSD card slot
• Display:
  
  • 1.9-inch LCD (ST7789V2)
  • HDMI output up to 1080p30
• Camera:
  
  • Sony IMX219, 8MP (CSI, 4-lane)
• Connectivity:
  
  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
  • Bluetooth 4.2 / BLE
  • 10/100M Ethernet
• Audio:
  
  • ES8389 codec
  • MEMS microphone
  • 1W speaker
  • 3.5 mm TRS output
• Sensors:
  
  • BMI270 IMU (gyroscope + accelerometer)
  • RX8130CE RTC
• Input:
  
  • 46-key matrix keyboard
• I/O Interfaces:
  • HY2.0-4P port (I2C / UART switchable)
  • 2.54 mm header (SPI, UART, I2C, USB, GPIO, 5V)
• USB:
  
  • 2× USB Type-C (host/slave switchable)
  • 1× USB Type-A (host)
• Power:
  
  • 3.7V / 1500 mAh Li-Po
• Mechanical:
  • 85 x 54m

Further Information

Two configurations are listed for the CardputerZero, including a Lite variant. The Lite model omits the camera, IMU, and bundled storage, while the standard version includes an 8MP camera, IMU, and a preloaded 32GB microSD card.

Early pricing is listed at $59 for the Lite version and $89 for the full configuration, with availability expected through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.