HP Vectra
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Personal computers |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Hewlett-Packard |
| Products | Business personal computers, IBM PC compatibles |
| Parent | Hewlett-Packard (HP Inc.) |
HP Vectra represented a series of personal computers designed for business use by Hewlett-Packard (currently HP Inc.), debuting in October 1985 as HP's inaugural IBM-compatible model.
Originally recognized for its test instrumentation, HP ventured into computing with minicomputers such as the HP 1000 and HP 2100 starting in 1967. The company introduced the microcomputer HP 150 in 1983, then pivoted towards IBM PC compatibility through the Vectra lineup. Aimed predominantly at professional and corporate sectors, the Vectra range served as HP's primary computer offering for more than fifteen years.
According to InfoWorld, HP developed Vectra in response to client requirements for complete IBM PC compatibility.[1] Early models incorporated unconventional hardware elements—including distinctive hard drives, keyboards, and mouse connections—supported by BIOS enhancements called EX-BIOS,[2] which necessitated a tailored OEM version of MS-DOS. While software interacting via BIOS functioned correctly, applications accessing hardware directly often encountered compatibility problems. Initial Vectra units struggled with critical compatibility benchmarks, such as running Lotus 123 and Microsoft Flight Simulator. By the time 486 processors were prevalent, most proprietary components had been eliminated.
In 1995, HP introduced the Pavilion series as an affordable option targeting consumer markets, encompassing desktop systems and early portable computers. After the 2001 merger between HP and Compaq, along with models like the VL420 and e-pc 42, the Vectra line was phased out in 2002 and replaced by the Evo, a product initially created by Compaq.
Further reading
- Steward W. Husted, Dale L. Varble, James Rolf Lowry, Marketing fundamentals, Delmar Publishers, January 1993, pp. 31–33
- Michael J. Lanning, Delivering profitable value: a revolutionary framework to accelerate growth, generate wealth, and rediscover the heart of business, Basic Books, October 1998, pp. 209–210
External links
- Vectra DOS/Windows (Software), HP Computer Museum
- Vectra Business Desktops/Calcs, HP Computer Museum