Compaq Portable III
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Products | Compaq Portable III (Model 2660) |
The Compaq Portable III (Model 2660), introduced by Compaq Computer Corporation in 1987, represented a portable PC/AT-compatible computer engineered to be more compact and lighter than its predecessors. The entry-level Model 1 was priced starting at , equipped with an Intel 80286 processor, 640 KB of RAM, a 5.25" floppy disk drive, and a unique 10" amber gas-plasma screen. More advanced configurations included the Model 20, which featured a 20 MB hard drive at $4999, and the Model 40, offering a 40 MB hard drive for $5799.
Compaq coordinated the Portable III’s release simultaneously in twelve countries, demonstrating a deliberate global marketing approach. It competed with devices such as Toshiba's T1100 and T3100 models and the Zenith Data Systems Z-181, focusing on delivering enhanced portability alongside strong performance. However, its fully 386-based successor was delayed by about a year due to manufacturing limitations.
The design underwent major modifications that halved the size compared to the original Compaq Portable. It incorporated an innovative gas plasma display capable of swiveling for improved viewing angles and supported a proprietary true resolution of 640 × 400 pixels. An optional 80287 math coprocessor ran at 8 MHz independently from the main CPU clock speed.
Departing from earlier versions, the Portable III did not include internal expansion slots; instead, it offered an optional external expansion chassis (model 2662A) priced at $199. This external unit accommodated two full-length, 16-bit ISA cards via a proprietary 96-pin interface and drew power directly from the main system. It could be securely attached and transported alongside the main unit, providing flexible expansion capabilities rarely found in portable computers of that time. The system required connection to mains electricity and was not intended for battery-powered use.
See also
- Rabbit 286, a clone produced by Chicony Electronics
External links
- oldcomputers.net – Compaq III Portable computer
- net2000plus.tripod.com – Compaq Portable III computer
- archive.org/details/compaq-portable-3-operations-user-manual Compaq Portable III User Manual