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.

The Compaq Portable is an early portable computer which was one of the first 100% 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.

The Portable III is a very handy, IBM compatible portable computer. Attractive and easy to lug around, it has a bright and easy-to-read gas plasma screen. The screen pivots for a comfortable viewing angle, and the keyboard attaches to the system during transportation.

More than a mere IBM clone, the Compaq Portable is something different, it's transportable, designed so it can easily be taken aboard an airliner as carry-on luggage. Result: The machine was very successful for Compaq and the company took in revenues of $111 million in its first year, a record in American business.

Oct 6, 2016 · The debut Compaq machine made waves as a capable and relatively inexpensive alternative to IBM's official Personal Computer—and it did it all in a portable package the size of a large...

In November 1982 Compaq announced their first product, the Compaq Portable, a portable IBM PC compatible personal computer. It was released in March 1983 for $2995, considerably more affordable than competitors at the time.

Unlike other fledgling PC compatible makers, Compaq chose to compete with features instead of price, and the Portable was an example of just that with its key feature being able to run all IBM PC software in a 'luggable' computer.

The system itself weighs a hefty 34 pounds and was dubbed a 'luggable' computer rather than a true portable. It contained a 9" green phosphor CRT display and both serial and parallel ports. The system did MDA graphics as well as CGA by switching the scan frequencies of the monitor (a first that is the basis for VGA).

Although other portable microcomputers were being introduced, the Compaq "Luggable" was the first portable microcomputer that was used in large quantities. It had 3 expansion slots and a parallel interface and ran MS-DOS. The Compaq is beige with a black padded vinyl handle. It resembles a suitcase.

The Compaq portable was one of the first IBM PC ?compatible? computers on the market and an early example of a ?portable"" or ?luggable? computer. As the IBM PC used a well documented and open architecture, Compaq was able to create a completely compatible PC clone using off the shelf parts that ran all PC software titles.