Compaq Deskpro

The Compaq Deskpro was a line of business-oriented personal computers manufactured by Compaq, then discontinued after the merger with Hewlett-Packard.[1] Models were produced containing microprocessors from the 8086 up to the x86-based Intel Pentium 4.[2]

A Compaq Deskpro 6333 from the late 1990s.
The Compaq DeskPro 386S currently on display at the Living Computer Museum in Seattle, Washington. Microsoft PowerPoint is running on the computer.
Compaq Deskpro motherboard (1997) with Pentium II processor and three different slot types (AGP for graphics adapter, three PCI and three ISA slots for legacy cards)
Compaq Deskpro Evo motherboard (2001) with Pentium 4 processor (hidden by cooler fan), three DIMMs, one AGP and three PCI slots

The original Compaq Deskpro (released in 1984), available in several disk configurations, was an XT-class PC equipped with an 8 MHz 8086 CPU and Compaq's unique display hardware that combined Color Graphics Adapter graphics with high resolution Monochrome Display Adapter text. As a result, it was both considerably faster than the IBM PC and had a much better quality text display compared to an IBM PC equipped with graphics.[1] Like the earlier Compaq Portable, its hardware and BIOS were 100% compatible with the IBM PC Model 5150 (a characteristic that few other PC workalikes shared so soon after the establishment of the IBM standard).

In 1985, Compaq released the Deskpro 286, which looks quite similar to the IBM PC/AT. Then in September 1986, the Deskpro 386 was launched[3] after Intel released its 80386 microprocessor, beating IBM by 7 months on their comparable 386 computer, and thus making a name for themselves.[4] PC Tech Journal honored the Deskpro 386 with its 1986 Product of the Year award.[5] The Deskpro 386/25 was released August 28, 1989 and cost $7,999.[6]

The form factor for the Compaq Deskpro is mostly the desktop model which lies upon a desk, with a monitor placed on top of it. Compaq has produced many tower upright models that have been highly successful in sales, and are usually convertible to a desktop form factor. An SFF (small form factor) desktop version was also produced during the Deskpro's lifetime. The Deskpro was replaced by the Evo in 2001.

The many different models include the:

  • Deskpro 286e
  • Deskpro 386 released as the first MS-DOS, PC-compatible 32-bit computer with 386 processor.
  • Deskpro 386S (Second Generation 386 introducing 16-bit bus 386SX processors)
  • Deskpro XE 486 ISA and IDE
  • Deskpro XL High-End workstation with EISA and SCSI either and 486, Pentium, Pentium Pro
  • Deskpro M 386, 486 and 586 early Pentium models
  • Deskpro 2000 Pentium 1, Pentium Pro and Pentium 2
  • Deskpro 4000 Pentium 1 with MMX & Pentium 2
  • Deskpro 6000 Pentium 1, Pentium Pro and Pentium 2 and scsi
  • Deskpro DX
  • Deskpro EXD, SB , EN , ENL: Pentium III based
  • Deskpro EVO500 series, the last of the range with Pentium 4 processors

References
  1. "Compaq Deskpro Model 1 - Computing History". www.computinghistory.org.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  2. Information from https://web.archive.org/web/20010604204030/http://www.compaq.com/products/desktops/index.shtml
  3. "compaq deskpro 386". dfarq.homeip.net. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  4. "Exhibits - Living Computer Museum". www.livingcomputermuseum.org. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  5. "Deskpro 386 at 30 | OS/2 Museum". www.os2museum.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  6. "Compaq Deskpro 386/25 Type 38 - Computing History". www.computinghistory.org.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2016.

Bibliography
  • Compaq Computer Corporation. Reference Guide: Compaq Deskpro 2000 Series of Personal Computers. 3rd edition, January 1998. Part Number 278019-003.
  • Compaq Computer Corporation. Reference Guide: Compaq Deskpro 4000 Series of Personal Computers/Compaq Deskpro 6000 Series of Personal Computers. 2nd edition, September 1997. Part Number 270844-002.


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