Compaq Deskpro
The Compaq Deskpro is a series of business-oriented personal computers manufactured by Compaq Computer Corporation from 1984 until the early 2000s, following the company's merger with Hewlett-Packard in 2002.[1] Introduced in June 1984 as Compaq's first desktop model, it was designed for full compatibility with IBM PC and XT hardware and software, featuring an Intel 8086 processor, up to 640 KB of RAM, and expandability via six slots for peripherals.[2][3] The Deskpro stood out for its rugged steel chassis, shock-mounted components for durability, and performance that was two to three times faster than contemporary IBM standards, contributing to Compaq's record-breaking first-year sales exceeding $100 million.[3] Subsequent models advanced the line's reputation for innovation, with the Deskpro 286 (introduced in 1985) incorporating the Intel 80286 processor at speeds up to 12 MHz for enhanced multitasking and up to 20% faster operation than competitors.[4] The pivotal Deskpro 386, announced in September 1986, became the first personal computer to market with Intel's 80386 32-bit microprocessor, delivering 4 million operations per second and enabling advanced graphical interfaces like Windows and OS/2 while maintaining backward compatibility.[5][2] This model propelled Compaq ahead of IBM in the PC race, solidifying the company's position as a leading vendor in the business market and influencing the widespread adoption of x86 architecture.[5][2] Throughout the 1990s, the Deskpro series evolved with Pentium processors, larger storage options, and network capabilities, targeting enterprise users with features like ROM-based setup and selective software recovery.[6] The line's emphasis on reliability, scalability, and performance helped Compaq achieve dominance in desktop sales, peaking as the world's largest PC maker by 1994 before the HP integration shifted branding.[1]Overview
Introduction
The Compaq Deskpro was Compaq's flagship line of business-oriented desktop computers, designed for corporate users requiring high reliability and full compatibility with IBM PC software and peripherals.[7][3] Introduced on June 28, 1984, the initial model was an XT-class system powered by an Intel 8086 microprocessor operating at 7.14 MHz, marking Compaq's entry into the desktop market following its success with portable PCs.[8][9] Spanning nearly two decades, the Deskpro series evolved from 16-bit processors like the 8086 and 80286 to 32-bit architectures starting with the 80386, and continued through subsequent Intel generations up to the Pentium 4, adapting to advancing computing demands in enterprise environments.[8] The line was ultimately discontinued in 2002 after Compaq's merger with Hewlett-Packard, which led to the rebranding and phase-out of Compaq's independent product families.[8][10] Throughout its run, the Deskpro was primarily housed in desktop and tower chassis to accommodate expandability for business applications, with later models introducing small form factor (SFF) options for space-constrained office settings.[11][12]Market Positioning
The Compaq Deskpro was specifically designed for enterprise and professional users, emphasizing reliability, expandability, and suitability for office applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management.[13] Unlike consumer-oriented systems, it targeted businesses seeking robust desktop solutions that could handle demanding workloads without frequent downtime.[13] In terms of pricing, entry-level Deskpro models started at approximately $2,495 in 1984, positioning the line as a premium alternative to IBM's Personal Computer XT, which retailed for around $4,000 with comparable features.[11] Higher configurations reached up to $7,195, reflecting added options like expanded memory and storage, yet the overall strategy allowed Compaq to undercut IBM on value while maintaining high margins through efficient manufacturing.[11] A key competitive advantage was the Deskpro's 100% compatibility with IBM PC software and hardware, achieved through a clean-room reverse-engineered BIOS that avoided IBM's copyright restrictions and licensing fees.[13][14] This approach enabled seamless integration into existing IBM ecosystems without legal vulnerabilities, distinguishing Compaq from less compatible clones.[14] These factors drove impressive sales, contributing to Compaq's total revenue of $329 million in 1984 and propelling the company into the Fortune 500 as one of the top PC vendors by 1985.[15]Development History
Origins and Early Models (1984-1985)
The Compaq Deskpro line originated in 1984 as the company's first desktop computer, introduced two years after the groundbreaking Compaq Portable that had established Compaq as a leader in IBM PC-compatible systems. This launch expanded the desktop segment of the burgeoning PC market, where IBM's dominance was challenged by growing demand that the original equipment manufacturer struggled to meet through supply chains. By leveraging its expertise in reverse-engineering IBM's BIOS to ensure full compatibility, Compaq positioned the Deskpro to capture business users seeking reliable alternatives to IBM's offerings.[11][16][8] The initial Deskpro model utilized an Intel 8086 processor clocked at 7.14 MHz, providing faster performance than the IBM PC/XT's 8088-based design. It featured configurable RAM from 256 KB up to 640 KB on the system board, with storage options including a 10 MB hard disk drive or dual 10 MB drives for enhanced capacity. Display support centered on monochrome high-resolution monitors, such as 12-inch amber or green CRTs, with interfaces for composite video and RGB color adapters to enable versatile output for text-based business applications. These specifications emphasized rugged construction with shock mounts and expandability via ISA slots, making it suitable for office environments.[3][11][17] In 1985, Compaq advanced the line with the Deskpro 286, an IBM PC/AT-class system powered by an Intel 80286 processor operating at 8 MHz. This model supported up to 8 MB of RAM through onboard expansion and slots, a significant leap for multitasking and networking, alongside hard disk options of 20 MB to 30 MB. It introduced compatibility with Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) via expansion cards, allowing for improved color and resolution in professional graphics tasks. Priced competitively at around $6,254 for a base configuration with 512 KB RAM and a 30 MB drive, it outperformed the IBM AT in speed while maintaining full software compatibility.[18][19][9] The early Deskpro models received acclaim for their superior expandability, with multiple slots for peripherals, and robust reliability, including features like fixed disk backups that minimized downtime. Reviewers and industry analysts highlighted how these systems alleviated IBM's production shortages, enabling faster delivery to customers and contributing to Compaq's rapid market penetration, with sales reaching $329 million in 1984 alone. This positive reception solidified Compaq's reputation as an innovator in the compatible PC space.[3][20][15]386 Era and Expansion (1986-1989)
In September 1986, Compaq launched the Deskpro 386, marking the first personal computer compatible with MS-DOS to incorporate Intel's 32-bit 80386 microprocessor running at 16 MHz. This system represented a significant advancement over the prevailing 16-bit architectures, enabling true 32-bit processing for enhanced performance in business applications. By introducing the Deskpro 386 seven months ahead of IBM's comparable Personal System/2 Model 70, Compaq solidified its role as an innovator in the PC industry.[5][21][22] Building on this foundation, Compaq expanded the lineup with variants like the Deskpro 386/20 in 1987, which featured a refined chassis design supporting up to seven expansion slots for improved connectivity and cooling in demanding environments. In 1988, the company released the Deskpro 386/25 with a 25 MHz 80386DX processor and the more affordable Deskpro 386S using the 16 MHz 80386SX chip, the latter emphasizing cost-effective entry into 32-bit computing while offering optional SCSI controllers for faster storage access. These models supported up to 16 MB of RAM via dedicated 32-bit memory boards, facilitating multitasking under emerging operating systems like OS/2. The 1987 chassis evolution allowed for greater expandability, accommodating additional peripherals without thermal constraints common in earlier desktop designs.[23][24][25] During this period, Compaq experienced rapid growth, with Deskpro 386 series sales capturing nearly 50% of the high-end PC segment by 1988 and propelling the company toward becoming the world's leading PC vendor by 1994, driven by annual revenues exceeding $2 billion. However, the base Deskpro 386 carried a premium price of over $6,000, reflecting its advanced capabilities but posing challenges for budget-conscious buyers; this was offset by its superior multitasking performance, particularly with OS/2, which leveraged the 80386's protected mode for efficient resource management.[26][27][28]Later Generations (1990-2002)
The Compaq Deskpro line entered the 1990s with the introduction of 486-based models, beginning with the Deskpro 486/25 in late 1989, which featured a 25 MHz Intel 80486 processor and was priced from $14,000 to $20,000 for high-end configurations suited to demanding applications like engineering and networking.[29] Subsequent models expanded the speed range, including the Deskpro 486/33L launched in 1990 at 33 MHz with options for 120 MB to 650 MB hard drives and up to 100 MB RAM, targeting professionals in programming and scientific fields.[30] By the mid-1990s, the series progressed to 66 MHz variants like the Deskpro 66M, incorporating a 486DX2 processor, 8 MB RAM expandable to 64 MB, and EISA expansion slots for enhanced performance in business environments.[31] The Deskpro XL series marked the integration of Intel's Pentium processor in 1994, replacing the earlier Deskpro/M lineup and introducing support for PCI bus architecture alongside Pentium CPUs for improved graphics and connectivity.[32] This shift positioned the Deskpro as a scalable business desktop, with models like the XL 4100 offering a 100 MHz 486 DX4 as a bridge to full Pentium adoption by 1995. In the mid-1990s, the Deskpro M series, introduced in 1992, emphasized PCI integration and modularity with features like four full-size 32-bit EISA slots and a standard 1.44 MB 3.5-inch diskette drive.[33] These systems supported Pentium processors and evolved to include Pentium II options by 1997, as seen in annual refreshes such as the Deskpro 2000, 4000, and 6000 lines, which offered 233 MHz to 300 MHz speeds, Intel 440LX chipsets, AGP graphics, and 24X CD-ROM drives starting under $2,000.[34] The late phase of the Deskpro featured the EN series, launched in February 1999 with Pentium III processors, including a 500 MHz model with 512 KB Level 2 cache, 100 MHz system bus, and up to 768 MB SDRAM across three DIMM slots for enterprise tasks like 3D graphics and data processing.[35] Priced at around $2,269, these systems included Matrox G200 video and Wake-on-LAN networking, delivering strong performance metrics such as 899.4 jobs per minute in Windows NT benchmarks.[35] In 2001, amid Compaq's challenges, the Deskpro branding began transitioning toward HP's Evo lineup following the merger announcement. The acquisition by Hewlett-Packard, completed in 2002 for approximately $25 billion, integrated Compaq's desktop lines into a unified HP-Compaq portfolio, leading to the full discontinuation of the Deskpro name as products were rebranded under Evo and other HP series to streamline business offerings.[10]Models and Specifications
8086 and 286 Series
The Compaq Deskpro 8086 series featured variants built around the Intel 8086 processor operating at 8 MHz, designed as 16-bit desktop systems compatible with IBM PC/XT architecture.[36] The base Model 1 configuration included 128 KB of RAM, expandable to 640 KB on the system board, a single 5.25-inch 360 KB floppy disk drive, and support for a 10 MB hard disk drive as an option via an integrated controller.[3] Higher variants, such as Model 3, incorporated the 10 MB hard disk drive standard alongside one floppy drive and 256 KB RAM, while the Model 4 added a 10 MB backup hard disk drive.[3] All models utilized an ISA bus with six expansion slots in base configurations (reduced to four in HDD-equipped models), enabling compatibility with MS-DOS and standard peripherals.[3] The Deskpro 286 series advanced the line with an Intel 80286 processor available in 6 MHz, 8 MHz, or 12 MHz variants, providing enhanced 16-bit performance through protected mode capabilities.[37][38] Memory started at 1 MB on the system board, expandable to 16 MB using onboard DRAM and expansion cards with 256K x 1-bit chips or faster.[38] Storage options included 20 MB to 170 MB hard disk drives via ST-506 or ESDI interfaces, supporting up to two controllers, alongside 360 KB or 1.2 MB 5.25-inch floppy drives and tape backup up to 40 MB.[4][38] Graphics support encompassed EGA standards with an optional socket for an 8 MHz 80287 math coprocessor, while I/O included parallel printer and asynchronous serial ports for connectivity.[4][38] Both series shared common features such as monochrome or amber-green 12-inch displays for high-resolution text and graphics, an 84-key keyboard with IBM PC/AT layout and LED indicators, and serial port support for mouse input.[3][4] Upgradability was facilitated by 5 to 8 ISA expansion slots (16-bit capable in the 286), allowing additions like memory boards and network interfaces without compromising the steel-shell chassis design.[38] However, these systems lacked native 32-bit support, relying on 16-bit addressing, and were constrained to a maximum of 640 KB conventional memory for MS-DOS applications due to real-mode limitations.[38]| Feature | Deskpro 8086 Variants | Deskpro 286 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz | Intel 80286 @ 6-12 MHz |
| RAM | 128-640 KB | 1-16 MB |
| Storage | 10 MB HDD option, 360 KB floppy | 20-170 MB HDD, 360 KB/1.2 MB floppy |
| Bus/Expansion | ISA, 4-6 slots | ISA (16-bit), 5-8 slots |
| Graphics/Ports | Monochrome display, parallel/serial | EGA, parallel/serial |