# Compaq Deskpro

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Family of desktop computers

Compaq Deskpro Developer Compaq Type Desktop computer Released 1984 (1984) Discontinued 2002 (2002) CPU Intel 8086 Intel 80286 i386 i486 Pentium Pentium II Pentium III Pentium 4 Successor Compaq Evo

Compaq Deskpro EP PCs from the late 1990s. The case could be converted between [tower](/source/Computer_tower) (left) and desktop form factors.

The Compaq DeskPro 386S currently on display at the [Living Computer Museum](/source/Living_Computer_Museum) in [Seattle, Washington](/source/Seattle%2C_Washington). [Microsoft PowerPoint](/source/Microsoft_PowerPoint) is running on the computer.

Compaq Deskpro motherboard (1997) with [Pentium II](/source/Pentium_II) processor and three different slot types ([AGP](/source/Accelerated_Graphics_Port) for graphics adapter, three [PCI](/source/Conventional_PCI) and three [ISA](/source/Industry_Standard_Architecture) slots for legacy cards)

Compaq Deskpro Evo motherboard (2001) with [Pentium 4](/source/Pentium_4) processor (hidden by cooler fan), three [DIMMs](/source/DIMM), one [AGP](/source/Accelerated_Graphics_Port) and three [PCI](/source/Conventional_PCI) slots

The **Compaq Deskpro** was manufactured by [Compaq](/source/Compaq) as a line of business-oriented [desktop computers](/source/Desktop_computer) until replaced by the Evo brand in 2001, with the latter being originally produced up until Compaq merged with [HP](/source/Hewlett-Packard) in 2002, making it (alongside other models at the time) the last computers sold by Compaq prior to the 2002 merger.[1] Models were produced containing microprocessors from the [8086](/source/Intel_8086) up to the [x86](/source/X86)-based Intel [Pentium 4](/source/Pentium_4).[2] Compaq later merged with [Hewlett-Packard](/source/Hewlett-Packard) in 2002, and subsequently the company began producing computers under the [HP ProDesk](/source/HP_ProDesk) brand, a product line that is still in use.[*[as of?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

## History

### Deskpro (8086) and Deskpro 286

The original Compaq Deskpro (released in 1984), available in several disk configurations, is an [XT-class](/source/IBM_Personal_Computer_XT) PC equipped with an 8 MHz 8086 CPU and Compaq's unique display hardware that combined [Color Graphics Adapter](/source/Color_Graphics_Adapter) graphics with high resolution [Monochrome Display Adapter](/source/IBM_Monochrome_Display_Adapter) text. As a result, it was considerably faster than the original [IBM](/source/IBM) [PC](/source/IBM_Personal_Computer), the XT and the [AT](/source/IBM_Personal_Computer_AT), and had a much better quality text display compared to IBM PCs which were equipped with either the IBM Monochrome Display Adapter or Color Graphics Adapter cards.[1]

Its hardware and [BIOS](/source/BIOS) were claimed to be 100% compatible with the IBM PC, like the earlier [Compaq Portable](/source/Compaq_Portable). This compatibility had given Compaq the lead over companies like [Columbia Data Products](/source/Columbia_Data_Products),[3][4] [Dynalogic](/source/Hyperion_(computer)),[5] [Eagle Computer](/source/Eagle_Computer)[6] and [Corona Data Systems](/source/Corona_Data_Systems).[7] The latter two companies were threatened by IBM for BIOS [copyright infringement](/source/Copyright_infringement), and settled out of court, agreeing to re-implement their BIOS.[8] Compaq used a [clean-room design](/source/Clean-room_design) with a [reverse-engineered](/source/Reverse-engineered) BIOS, avoiding legal jeopardy.[9][10][11]

In 1985, Compaq released the Deskpro 286, their clone of the [IBM PC/AT](/source/IBM_PC%2FAT).

### Deskpro 386

Main article: [Compaq Deskpro 386](/source/Compaq_Deskpro_386)

In September 1986, the Deskpro 386 was announced[12] after [Intel](/source/Intel) released its 80386 microprocessor, beating [IBM](/source/IBM) by seven months on their comparable 386 computer, thus making a name for themselves.[13] The IBM-made [386DX](/source/386DX) machine, the [IBM PS/2 Model 80](/source/IBM_PS%2F2_Model_80), reached the market almost a year later,[14] *PC Tech Journal* honored the Deskpro 386 with its 1986 Product of the Year award.[15] The Deskpro 386/25 was released in August, 1988 and cost $10,299.[16]

### Other

The [form factor](/source/Form_factor_(design)) 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](/source/Computer_tower) upright models that have been highly successful in sales, and are usually convertible to a desktop form factor. An SFF ([small form factor](/source/Small_form_factor_(desktop_and_motherboard))) desktop version was also produced during the Deskpro's lifetime. The Deskpro was replaced by the [Evo](/source/Compaq_Evo) in 2001.

## Models

The many different models include the:

- Deskpro 286e

- Deskpro 386: released as the first [MS-DOS](/source/MS-DOS), PC-compatible [32-bit](/source/32-bit) computer with [386](/source/I386) processor.

- Deskpro 386S: second generation 386 introducing 16-bit bus [i386SX](/source/I386SX) processors

- Deskpro XE 486 [ISA](/source/Industry_Standard_Architecture) and [IDE](/source/Parallel_ATA)

- Deskpro XL: high-end [workstation](/source/Workstation) with [EISA](/source/Extended_Industry_Standard_Architecture) and [SCSI](/source/SCSI) either [i486](/source/I486), [Pentium](/source/Pentium_(original)) or [Pentium Pro](/source/Pentium_Pro) processors

- Deskpro M: 386, 486 and early Pentium models

- Deskpro 2000: Pentium, Pentium Pro and [Pentium II](/source/Pentium_II)

- Deskpro 4000: [Pentium MMX](/source/Pentium_MMX) or Pentium II

- Deskpro 6000: Pentium, Pentium Pro or Pentium II and SCSI

- Deskpro DX

- Deskpro EXD, SB, EN, ENL: [Pentium III](/source/Pentium_III)-based

- Deskpro EVO500 series: the last of the range with [Pentium 4](/source/Pentium_4) processors

- Deskpro Workstation: workstation-class computers[17]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["Compaq Deskpro Model 1 - Computing History"](http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/7793/Compaq-Deskpro-Model-1/). *www.computinghistory.org.uk*. Retrieved 6 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Information from ["Compaq .Com - Compaq desktops"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010604204030/http://www.compaq.com/products/desktops/index.shtml). *Compaq*. Archived from [the original](http://www.compaq.com/products/desktops/index.shtml) on 4 June 2001.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["History of the Microprocessor and the Personal Computer, Part 3"](https://www.techspot.com/article/893-history-of-the-personal-computer-part-3/). *TechSpot*. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 2021-08-23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Aboard the Columbia](https://books.google.com/books?id=14Kfbrc6cbAC&pg=PA451), By Bill Machrone, Page 451, June 1983, PC Mag

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** David Thomas, *Knights of the New Technology: The Inside Story of Canada's Computer Elite*, Key Porter Books, 1983 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-919493-16-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-919493-16-5) pp. 172-179

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Pournelle, Jerry](/source/Jerry_Pournelle) (September 1983). ["Eagles, Text Editors, New Compilers, and Much More"](https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1983-09/page/n321). *BYTE*. p. 307. Retrieved 2021-05-14.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Corona advertisement"](https://books.google.com/books?id=xi8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50). *[InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld)* (Advertisement). Vol. 5, no. 29. July 18, 1983. p. 50. Retrieved 14 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [EAGLE'S BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL](https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/09/business/eagle-s-battle-for-survival.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Loyd Case: A Trip Down Memory Lane with Hewlett-Packard & Compaq"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080120121139/http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0%2C1697%2C21218%2C00.asp). *extremetech.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,21218,00.asp) on 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Robert X. Cringely. ["Real Trouble: How Reverse Engineering May Yet Kill Real Networks"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071011122000/http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/1999/pulpit_19990930_000400.html). PBS. Archived from [the original](https://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/1999/pulpit_19990930_000400.html) on October 11, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Ken Polsson. ["Chronology of Personal Computers (1982)"](http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/comphist/comp1982.htm). Retrieved 2008-01-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["compaq deskpro 386"](https://dfarq.homeip.net/compaq-deskpro-386/). *dfarq.homeip.net*. 7 June 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170611030617/http://dfarq.homeip.net:80/compaq-deskpro-386/) from the original on 2017-06-11. Retrieved 2020-12-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Exhibits - Living Computer Museum"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160205125519/http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org/The-Collection/Exhibit-Hall.aspx). *www.livingcomputermuseum.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org/The-Collection/Exhibit-Hall.aspx) on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-lewis19891022_14-0)** Lewis, Peter H. (1989-10-22). ["THE EXECUTIVE COMPUTER; The Race to Market a 486 Machine"](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/22/business/the-executive-computer-the-race-to-market-a-486-machine.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Deskpro 386 at 30 | OS/2 Museum"](http://www.os2museum.com/wp/deskpro-386-at-30/). *www.os2museum.com*. Retrieved 2020-12-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Satchell, Stephen (1 August 1988). ["Speed and Quality Design Highlight New System"](https://books.google.com/books?id=dDoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA53). *[InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld)*. Vol. 10, no. 31. p. 53.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** *Čtyřka od Intelu*. Aktualityː hardware. *Chip*. Praha: Vogel Publishing, 19 December 2000, vol. 11, issue 01/01 (january 2001), p. 6. Retrieved 01 July 2023. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1210-0684](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1210-0684). (czech)

### 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.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Compaq Deskpro](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Compaq_Deskpro).

- Lewis, Peter H (10 January 1988). ["THE EXECUTIVE COMPUTER; A Top Machine Carries a Top Price"](https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/10/business/the-executive-computer-a-top-machine-carries-a-top-price.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.: NYT article about the DeskPro 386–20.

v t e Compaq Acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2002; existing product lines and intellectual property split between HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015 Corporate aspects Founders Rod Canion Jim Harris Bill Murto Directors Michael Capellas Eckhard Pfeiffer Ben Rosen Acquisitions Thomas-Conrad (1995) NetWorth (1995) Microcom (1997) Tandem Computers (1997) Digital Equipment Corporation (1998) Zip2 (1999) Other topics Silicon Cowboys (2016 documentary) Hardware Servers SystemPro XL ProLiant* NonStop* AlphaServer* Workstations SystemPro ProSignia Professional Workstation AlphaStation* Desktops Business Deskpro 386 ProLinea Evo* HP Compaq** Elite** Pro** Consumer Presario* Portables and laptops Business Portable 1st generation Plus 286 II III 386 486 SLT LTE 1st generation Lite Elite 5000 series ProSignia Armada Evo* HP Compaq** Consumer Contura Presario* 1200 R3000** Internet appliances MSN Companion iPAQ desktop Handhelds and subnotebooks Concerto Contura Aero Aero C series tc1000 iPAQ handheld* tc1100** Architectures DEC Alpha* Software AltaVista OpenVMS TACL Tru64 UNIX Asterisk (*) denotes product lines continued after acquisition by HP Double asterisk (**) denotes product lines established after acquisition by HP DEC hardware video terminals DEC operating systems Hewlett-Packard

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Compaq Deskpro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq_Deskpro) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq_Deskpro?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.