Compaq Portable

The Compaq Portable, released in March 1983, was one of the first IBM PC-compatible portable computers, marking Compaq’s entry into the personal computing market. It featured an Intel 8088 processor running at 4.77 MHz, 128KB of RAM (expandable to 640KB), and a built-in 9-inch green monochrome display. The system came with dual 5.25-inch floppy disk drives or an optional 10MB hard drive, making it a powerful alternative to desktop PCs. Unlike other early portables, Compaq achieved full IBM PC software compatibility by reverse-engineering the BIOS, allowing it to run nearly all existing PC applications. Weighing 28 pounds, it was considered a “luggable” rather than a truly portable device, but its success helped establish Compaq as a major player in the industry.