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 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
ImageCompaq PortableTiziano Garuti (1000Bit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- IBM PC 5150 releasedAugust 12, 1981
- IBM PC XT releasedMarch 1983
- Osborne 1 releasedApril 1981
- Compaq ProLiant servers launched1993