March 1983

Compaq Portable released

Compaq Computer Corporation began shipping the Compaq Portable in March 1983 — the first IBMInternational Business Machines — a major computer and enterprise technology company since the early 20th century. PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines.-compatible portable computerA computer designed to be moved and used in different places — from luggable machines to modern laptops..

What it was for

Compaq PortableCompaq legally reverse-engineered the IBMInternational Business Machines — a major computer and enterprise technology company since the early 20th century. PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines. BIOSBasic Input/Output System — firmware that initializes hardware when a PC boots, before the OS loads. and shipped a luggable 8088 machine that ran unmodified DOSDisk Operating System — an OS centered on disk storage; often refers to MS-DOS on PCs. software — proving the PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines. standard could be cloned. The company grew into a server giant (later HP ProLiant). Every PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines.-compatible portable and white-box desktop traces legitimacy to this product.

Why it's here

The Compaq Portable was the first commercially successful IBMInternational Business Machines — a major computer and enterprise technology company since the early 20th century. PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines. clone.

Why it mattered

It established that PCPersonal computer — a computer designed for individual use, especially desktop or laptop machines. compatibility could be replicated without IBMInternational Business Machines — a major computer and enterprise technology company since the early 20th century.'s permission — opening the clone market.

What it solved

Businesses wanted portable PCs that ran the same software as their IBMInternational Business Machines — a major computer and enterprise technology company since the early 20th century. desktops.

Media

  • Compaq Portable
    ImageCompaq Portable

    Tiziano Garuti (1000Bit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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