Compaq Contura
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Successor | Compaq C-Series notebooks |
| Products | Notebook computers, subnotebooks |
| Owner | Compaq |
The Contura series of notebook computers represented Compaq's initial venture into cost-effective, entry-level laptops, manufactured between 1992 and 1996.
Models
Within the primary Contura lineup, models such as 3/20, 3/25, 3/25c, 4/25, 4/25c, 4/25cx, 400, 400C, 400CX, 410, 410C, 410CX, 420C, 420CX, 430C, and 430CX were offered. These notebooks adhered to a standard size format; models designated with an "X" incorporated active matrix display technology.
A distinct subset known as the Contura Aero subnotebooks—specifically the 4/25 and 4/33c models—served as early forerunners to the netbook category. Launched in 1994, they initially operated on MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 platforms and later supported Windows 95 following its release. More compact than the Armada series, the Aero was designed to provide enhanced portability for professionals requiring a smaller computing device. The 4/33c model supported color visuals natively; although the 4/25's graphics processor was capable of color output according to its specifications, practical limitations existed.
Following the Contura series, Compaq introduced the C-Series notebook line. Subsequently, handheld devices such as the Aero 1550 Pocket PC emerged and eventually evolved into the iPAQ product range under Hewlett-Packard, after HP acquired Compaq.
| Series | Model | CPU | Display | RAM | Disk | Misc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contura | 3/20 | 20 MHz 386SL | VGA monochrome | 2 MB | 40 or 84 MB | External trackball |
| 3/25c | 25 MHz 386SL | VGA color | 4 MB | 80 or 120 MB | ||
| 4/25 | 25 MHz 486SL | VGA monochrome | 120 or 200 MB | |||
| 4/25c | VGA color | |||||
| 4/25cx | VGA color, active matrix | Integrated trackball | ||||
| Contura Aero | 4/25 | Intel 80486 i486SX-S at 25 MHz | Passive matrix gray scale VGA (16 shades at high resolution) | 4 MB (expandable to max. 20 MB) | 84–250 MB IDE HDD | (256 KB video RAM), PCMCIA Type II slot, parallel and serial ports, integrated trackball; dimensions approx. 1.5 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches |
| 4/33c | i486SX-S at 33 MHz | Passive matrix color VGA (16 colors high resolution) | 4 MB (expandable to max. 20 MB) | 84–250 MB IDE HDD | (256 KB video RAM), PCMCIA Type II slot, parallel and serial ports, integrated trackball; dimensions approx. 1.7 x 10.25 x7.5 inches |