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The '''Compaq Portable III''' (Model 2660) is a PC/AT-compatible computer released by ] in 1987.<ref name=oc/> It was advertised as being much smaller and lighter than the previous portable ]-PCs; however it was still quite large by today's standards.<ref>http://oldcomputers.net/compaqiii.html oldcomputers.net</ref> Three models were announced at release. The Model 1 had a ] of {{nowrap|$3999 USD}} and was equipped with a {{nowrap|12 MHz}} ], 640 kilobytes of ], {{nowrap|1.2 megabyte 5.25"}} ], and a {{nowrap|10" ]}} colored ].<ref name="byte">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1987-05/page/n236/mode/1up?view=theater | title=Compaq's New Carrryon | work=Byte Magazine | date=May 1987 | accessdate=August 22, 2021 | author=Unger, John | pages=237–29 }}</ref> Other models included the Model 20 at {{nowrap|$4999 USD}} which added a twenty megabyte ],<ref name=n2/> or $5799 for the Model 40 with the upgraded forty megabyte hard disk.<ref name=byte/> The '''Compaq Portable III''' (Model 2660) is a PC/AT-compatible computer released by ] in 1987.<ref name=oc/> It was advertised as being much smaller and lighter than the previous portable ]-PCs; however it is still quite large by today's standards.<ref>http://oldcomputers.net/compaqiii.html oldcomputers.net</ref> Three models were announced at release. The Model 1 had a ] of {{nowrap|$3999 USD}} and is equipped with a {{nowrap|12 MHz}} ], 640 kilobytes of ], {{nowrap|1.2 megabyte 5.25"}} ], and a {{nowrap|10" ]}} colored ].<ref name="byte">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1987-05/page/n236/mode/1up?view=theater | title=Compaq's New Carrryon | work=Byte Magazine | date=May 1987 | accessdate=August 22, 2021 | author=Unger, John | pages=237–29 }}</ref> Other models include the Model 20 at {{nowrap|$4999 USD}} which adds a 20 MB ],<ref name=n2/> or $5799 for the Model 40 with the upgraded 40 MB hard disk.<ref name=byte/>


When Compaq launched its Portable III, the launch was timed to occurs simultaneously in twelve countries around the world, in keeping with Compaq's showmanship style.<ref name=oc/> The Portable III was designed to be the smallest, lightest and fastest 386 machine, since Compaq was under the pressure from ] with its ] and ] and ] with its Z-181. Compaq only had 286 motherboards ready for mass production, so the 386 version, the ], would follow about one year later.<ref name=oc/> When Compaq launched its Portable III, the launch was timed to occurs simultaneously in twelve countries around the world, in keeping with Compaq's showmanship style.<ref name=oc/> The Portable III was designed to be the smallest, lightest and fastest 386 machine, since Compaq was under the pressure from ] with its ] and ] and ] with its Z-181. Compaq only had 286 motherboards ready for mass production, so the 386 version, the ], would follow about one year later.<ref name=oc/>


The design of the Portable III had been deeply modified over the earlier ] of machines. It was half the size and its footprint occupied half the space of the first Compaq Portable. The most remarkable feature was its gas plasma display which lifted up and swiveled so that it could be placed in a good position for reading. It also has a proprietary graphics mode that allows it to run at true 640 x 400 mode. ] had a Compaq Portable display driver for 640 x 400 mode.<ref name=oc/> The design of the Portable III had been deeply modified over the earlier ] of machines. It is half the size and its footprint occupies half the space of the first Compaq Portable. The most remarkable feature is its gas plasma display which lifts up and swivels so that it can be placed in a good position for reading. It also has a proprietary graphics mode that allows it to run at true 640 x 400 mode. ] has a Compaq Portable display driver for 640 x 400 mode.<ref name=oc/>


The optional 80287 coprocessor ran at 8 MHz regardless of the speed of the 80286, and the 640 KB of RAM were made up of 100-ns 256K-bit chips.<ref name=byte/> The Portable III lacked the internal expansion ports of previous Portables and desktop PCs of the time, but Compaq offered an optional external expansion unit (model 2662A), that provided two full length, 16-bit ] add-in cards<ref name=oc/> for $199.<ref name=n2></ref> The external expansion unit was electrically connected to the computer by a 96-pin port. The optional 80287 coprocessor runs at 8 MHz regardless of the speed of the 80286, and the 640 KB of RAM are made up of 100-ns 256K-bit chips.<ref name=byte/> The Portable III lacks the internal expansion ports of previous Portables and desktop PCs of the time, but Compaq offered an optional external expansion unit (model 2662A), that provides two full length, 16-bit ] add-in cards<ref name=oc/> for $199.<ref name=n2></ref> The external expansion unit is electrically connected to the computer by a 96-pin port.
This unit was a more flexible option than the completely detached expansion units made for other portables. Because it gets This unit is a more flexible option than the completely detached expansion units made for other portables. Because it gets
its power from the computer via this port, it could be securely attached it to the Portable III, and carried as if it were part of the machine. More than one expansion unit could be configured for different needs, allowing it considerable versatility for its time.<ref name=byte/> Power is supplied using a ] outlet, it was not designed to run on batteries.<ref name=oc/> its power from the computer via this port, it can be securely attached it to the Portable III, and carried as if it were part of the machine. More than one expansion unit can be configured for different needs, allowing it considerable versatility for its time.<ref name=byte/> Power is supplied using a ] outlet, it is not designed to run on batteries.<ref name=oc/>


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 14:29, 7 January 2023

1986 computer
Compaq Portable III
ManufacturerCompaq Computer Corporation, United States
TypePortable computer
Release date1986; 39 years ago (1986)
Introductory priceUS$3,999 (equivalent to $10,700 in 2023)
Discontinued1995; 30 years ago (1995)
Operating systemMS-DOS 3.1
CPUIntel 80286 @ 12 MHz, Intel 80287 (FPU) option
Memory640 KB – 8192 KB
Display10" amber gas-plasma display
Graphics640 × 400 resolution, 80 × 25 text
SoundPIT using a mini speaker
ConnectivityCGA, serial, parallel
Dimensions41 (width) x 19.2 (depth) x 24.8 (height) cm
Weight9.1 kg (20 lb)
PredecessorCompaq Portable II
SuccessorCompaq Portable 386

The Compaq Portable III (Model 2660) is a PC/AT-compatible computer released by Compaq Computer Corporation in 1987. It was advertised as being much smaller and lighter than the previous portable x86-PCs; however it is still quite large by today's standards. Three models were announced at release. The Model 1 had a list price of $3999 USD and is equipped with a 12 MHz Intel 80286, 640 kilobytes of RAM, 1.2 megabyte 5.25" floppy drive, and a 10" amber colored gas-plasma display. Other models include the Model 20 at $4999 USD which adds a 20 MB hard disk, or $5799 for the Model 40 with the upgraded 40 MB hard disk.

When Compaq launched its Portable III, the launch was timed to occurs simultaneously in twelve countries around the world, in keeping with Compaq's showmanship style. The Portable III was designed to be the smallest, lightest and fastest 386 machine, since Compaq was under the pressure from Toshiba with its T1100 and T3100 and Zenith Data Systems with its Z-181. Compaq only had 286 motherboards ready for mass production, so the 386 version, the Compaq Portable 386, would follow about one year later.

The design of the Portable III had been deeply modified over the earlier Compaq portable series of machines. It is half the size and its footprint occupies half the space of the first Compaq Portable. The most remarkable feature is its gas plasma display which lifts up and swivels so that it can be placed in a good position for reading. It also has a proprietary graphics mode that allows it to run at true 640 x 400 mode. Windows 2.11 has a Compaq Portable display driver for 640 x 400 mode.

The optional 80287 coprocessor runs at 8 MHz regardless of the speed of the 80286, and the 640 KB of RAM are made up of 100-ns 256K-bit chips. The Portable III lacks the internal expansion ports of previous Portables and desktop PCs of the time, but Compaq offered an optional external expansion unit (model 2662A), that provides two full length, 16-bit ISA add-in cards for $199. The external expansion unit is electrically connected to the computer by a 96-pin port. This unit is a more flexible option than the completely detached expansion units made for other portables. Because it gets its power from the computer via this port, it can be securely attached it to the Portable III, and carried as if it were part of the machine. More than one expansion unit can be configured for different needs, allowing it considerable versatility for its time. Power is supplied using a mains electricity outlet, it is not designed to run on batteries.

References

  1. ^ oldcomputers.net - Compaq III Portable computer
  2. freegeekvancouver.blogspot.com - Free Geek Vancouver Volunteer Blog: Old Gear Lives On: A Hack (Part 2)
  3. http://oldcomputers.net/compaqiii.html oldcomputers.net
  4. ^ Unger, John (May 1987). "Compaq's New Carrryon". Byte Magazine. pp. 237–29. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  5. ^ net2000plus.tripod.com - Compaq Portable III computer

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