- #Compac desktops portable#
- #Compac desktops software#
- #Compac desktops license#
- #Compac desktops series#
The user can use both IBM video standards, for graphics capabilities and high-resolution text. When using the internal monochrome monitor the 9×14 font is used, and the 8×8 one when an external monitor is used (the user switches between internal and external monitors by pressing Ctrl+ Alt+ >). The machine uses a unique hybrid of the IBM MDA and CGA which supports the latter's graphics modes, but contains both cards' text fonts in ROM.
#Compac desktops portable#
Like the non-portable IBM PC, the Compaq Portable runs on power from an AC outlet only it has no battery.
All Portables shipped with 128 KB of RAM and 1-2 double-sided double-density 360 KB disk drives. The Compaq Portable has basically the same hardware as an IBM PC, transplanted into a luggable case (specifically designed to fit as carry-on luggage on an airplane), with Compaq's BIOS instead of IBM's. Third year revenue was at US$503.9 million, another US business record. In the second year revenue hit US$329 million setting an industry record. Ĭompaq sold 53,000 units in the first year with a total of US$111 million in revenue, an American Business record. IBM responded to the Compaq Portable with the IBM Portable PC, developed because its sales force needed a comparable computer to sell against Compaq. The 28 lb (13 kg) Compaq Portable folded up into a luggable case the size of a portable sewing machine. The Compaq Portable was announced in November 1982 and first shipped in March 1983, priced at US$2,995 (equivalent to $8,800 in 2022) with a single half-height 5 + 1⁄ 4" 360 KB diskette drive or US$3,590 for dual, full-height diskette drives. Like the Z80 and "work-alike" portables, its sales fell into insignificance in the face of the Compaq Portable series. Other contemporary systems include the portable Commodore SX-64, also known as the Executive 64, or VIP-64 in Europe, a briefcase/suitcase-size "luggable" version of the popular Commodore 64 home computer built with an 8-bit MOS 6510 ( 6502-based) CPU microprocessor, and the first full-color portable computer.
#Compac desktops software#
Only Compaq was able to fully capitalize on this, by aiming for complete IBM PC and PC DOS software compatibility, while reverse-engineering the BIOS to head off copyright legal claims.
#Compac desktops license#
Like Compaq, they recognized the replicability of the IBM PC's off-the-shelf parts, and saw that Microsoft retained the right to license MS-DOS to other companies. Unlike Compaq, many of these companies had previously released computers based on Zilog's Z80 and Digital Research's CP/M operating system. There was also the Seequa Chameleon, which had both 8088 and Z80 CPUs to alternately run MS-DOS or CP/M. The latter two companies were threatened by IBM for BIOS copyright infringement, and settled out of court, agreeing to re-implement their BIOS. Other "work-alikes" included the MS-DOS and 8088-based, but not entirely IBM PC software compatible, Dynalogic Hyperion, Eagle Computer's Eagle 1600 series, including the Eagle Spirit portable, and the Corona personal computer. Columbia Data Products' MPC 1600 "Multi Personal Computer" had come out in June 1982. It became available two years after the similar, but CP/M-based, Osborne 1 and Kaypro II. The computer was also an early variation on the idea of an " all-in-one". It was not simply an 8088- CPU computer that ran a Microsoft DOS as a PC "work-alike", but contained a reverse-engineered BIOS, and a version of MS-DOS that was so similar to IBM's PC DOS that it ran nearly all its application software.
#Compac desktops series#
It was Compaq Computer Corporation's first product, to be followed by others in the Compaq Portable series and later Compaq Deskpro series. The Compaq Portable is an early portable computer which was one of the first IBM PC compatible systems. Two 5.25" floppy disk drives or, optionally, one floppy drive and a 10 MB hard drive This machine has an aftermarket hard disk and floppy disk drives added. A Compaq Portable with the keyboard detached ready for use.
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