 | |
| Developer | Compaq |
|---|---|
| Type | Desktop computer |
| Release date | 1984 |
| Discontinued | 2002 |
| CPU | |
| Successor | Compaq Evo |
The Compaq Deskpro is a line of business-oriented desktop computers manufactured by Compaq, then replaced by the Evo brand in 2001. [1] Models were produced containing microprocessors from the 8086 up to the x86-based Intel Pentium 4. [2]
The original Compaq Deskpro (released in 1984), available in several disk configurations, is an XT-class PC equipped with an 8 MHz 8086 CPU and Compaq's unique display hardware that combined Color Graphics Adapter graphics with high resolution Monochrome Display Adapter text. As a result, it was considerably faster than the original IBM PC, the XT and the AT, and had a much better quality text display compared to IBM PCs which were equipped with either the IBM Monochrome Display Adapter or Color Graphics Adapter cards. [1]
Its hardware and BIOS were claimed to be 100% compatible with the IBM PC, like the earlier Compaq Portable. This compatibility had given Compaq the lead over companies like Columbia Data Products, [3] [4] Dynalogic, [5] Eagle Computer [6] and Corona Data Systems. [7] The latter two companies were threatened by IBM for BIOS copyright infringement, and settled out of court, agreeing to re-implement their BIOS. [8] Compaq used a clean room design reverse-engineered BIOS, avoiding legal jeopardy. [9] [10] [11]
In 1985, Compaq released the Deskpro 286, which looks quite similar to the IBM PC/AT.
In September 1986, the Deskpro 386 was announced [12] after Intel released its 80386 microprocessor, beating IBM by seven months on their comparable 386 computer, thus making a name for themselves. [13] The IBM-made 386DX machine, the IBM PS/2 Model 80, reached the market almost a year later, [14] PC Tech Journal honored the Deskpro 386 with its 1986 Product of the Year award. [15] The Deskpro 386/25 was released August, 1988 and cost $10,299. [16]
The form factor for the Compaq Deskpro is mostly the desktop model which lies upon a desk, with a monitor placed on top of it. Compaq has produced many tower upright models that have been highly successful in sales, and are usually convertible to a desktop form factor. An SFF (small form factor) desktop version was also produced during the Deskpro's lifetime. The Deskpro was replaced by the Evo in 2001.
The many different models include the:
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The Compaq Portable is an early portable computer which was one of the first IBM PC compatible systems. It was Compaq Computer Corporation's first product, to be followed by others in the Compaq Portable series and later Compaq Deskpro series. 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. The computer was also an early variation on the idea of an "all-in-one".
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