Compaq LTE
The Compaq LTE was a line of laptop computers made by Compaq, introduced in 1989.[1][2] The first models, the Compaq LTE and the Compaq LTE 286, were among the first computers to be close to the size of a paper notebook, spurring the use of the term "notebook" to describe a smaller laptop and earned a notable place in laptop history. They were also among the first to include both built-in hard disk and floppy disk drives, and later models offered optional docking stations providing performance comparable to then-current desktop machines.[3]
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Laptop COMPAQ LTE Elite 4/40CX | |
| Manufacturer | Compaq |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1989[1] |
History
Compaq introduced the LTE in 1989[3]. At the time of launch virtually no "notebook" style fully fledged computers existed. Prior to the LTE series, portable computers were bulky, such as the Compaq SLT which is coined as the predecessor to the LTE series despite both models existing side-by-side for some time. Compaq SLT had large full size 3.5-inch hard drives and was heavy at 6.5 kg in comparison to the LTE at approximately 2.5 kg. Compaq LTE was said to be a turning point in portable computing with its small form factor and lightweight components.
Original model specifications
The two original LTE models differed primarily in the processor availability; however, the 286 model came with a standard 40 MB hard drive in place of the base model's 20 MB. Both computers weighed 6.7 lb (3.0 kg). They ran MS-DOS version 3.31.
| Aspect | Value |
|---|---|
| Processor | LTE: 9.55 MHz Intel 8086; LTE 286: 12 MHz Intel 80C286 |
| Memory | 640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards |
| Hard disk | LTE: 20 MB: LTE/286: 40 MB, <29 ms seek time |
| Floppy disk drive | 1.44 MB floppy drive |
| Video adapter | Backlit grayscale CGA 640 x 200 display (80/40 x 25 lines, 4 shades of grey) with separate CGA video output |
| Modem | Internal 2400 bit/s Hayes |
Models
| Model | Release Date | Processor | Speed | Screen Type | Display size | Screen Resolution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original LTE Models | |||||||
| LTE[2] | 1989[1] | Intel 8086 | 9.55 MHz | 80/40 x 25 lines, 4 shades of grey | ? | 640 x 200 | 640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards |
| LTE/286[4] | 1989[1] | Intel 80C286 | 12 MHz | 80/40 x 25 lines, 4 shades of grey | ? | 640 x 200 | 640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards |
| LTE Lite Models | |||||||
| LTE Lite/20 | 27 January 1992[5] | 386SL | 20 MHz | ? | ? | ? | 16Kb External Cache, Maxlight VGA, No Trackball Mouse |
| LTE Lite/25[6] | 27 January 1992[5] | 386SL | 25 MHz | Maxlight VGA LCD | 9.5" | 640x480 | 16Kb External Cache |
| LTE Lite/25C[6] | 15 June 1992[5] | 386SL | 25 MHz | Active Matrix TFT (Color) | 8.4" | 640x480 | 64Kb External Cache, Trackball Mouse Included |
| LTE Lite/25E[6] | 15 June 1992[5] | 386SL (Mono) | 25 MHz | Active Matrix TFT (Mono) | 8.4" | 640x480 | 64Kb External Cache, Trackball Mouse Included |
| LTE Lite 4/25C[6] | 9 November 1992[5] | 486SL | 25 MHz | Active Matrix TFT (Color) | 8.4" | 640x480 | 8Kb External Cache, Trackball Mouse Included |
| LTE Lite 4/25E | May 1993[5] | 486SL (with co-processor) | 25 MHz | Active Matrix TFT (Mono) | ? | ? | 8Kb External Cache, Trackball Mouse Included |
| LTE Lite 4/33C | May 1993[5] | 486SL (with co-processor) | 33 MHz | Active Matrix TFT (Color) | ? | ? | 8Kb External Cache, Trackball Mouse Included, Supports Advanced Power Management (APM) |
| LTE Elite Models | |||||||
| LTE Elite 4/40C[7] | > 1994 | 486 DX2 | 40 MHz | STN (Color) | 9.4" | 640x480 | 8KB Cache, 4MB RAM, 170 HDD |
| LTE Elite 4/50E[7] | > 1994 | 486 DX2 | 50 MHz | TFT (Mono) | 9.5" | 640x480 | 8KB Cache, 4MB RAM, 250MB HDD |
| LTE Elite 4/40CX[7] | > 1994 | 486 DX2 | 40 MHz | TFT (Color) | 9.4" | 640x480 | 8KB Cache, 4MB RAM, 170/340MB HDD |
| LTE Elite 4/50CX[7] | > 1994 | 486 DX2 | 50 MHz | TFT (Color) | 9.5" | 640x480 | 8KB Cache, 8MB RAM, 340MB HDD |
| LTE Elite 4/75CX[7] | > 1994 | 486 DX4 | 75 MHz | TFT (Color) | 9.5" | 640x480 | 16KB Cache, 8MB RAM, 340/510MB HDD |
| LTE 5000 Models | |||||||
| LTE 5000 Series (510)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/75 | 75 MHz | Color-STN | 10.4" | 640x480 | - |
| LTE 5000 Series (810)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/75 | 75 MHz | Color-STN | 11.3" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5000 Series (810)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/75 | 75 MHz | TFT (Color) | 10.4" | 640x480 | - |
| LTE 5100 Series (810)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/90 | 90 MHz | TFT (Color) | 10.4" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5100 Series (810)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/90 | 90 MHz | TFT (Color) | 10.4" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5150 Series (810)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/100 | 100 MHz | Color-STN | 11.3" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5200 Series (1350)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/120 | 120 MHz | TFT (Color) | 10.4" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5250 Series (810)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/120 | 120 MHz | TFT (Color) | 10.4" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5280 Series (810)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/120 | 120 MHz | TFT (Color) | 11.3" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5300 Series (1350)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/133 | 133 MHz | TFT (Color) | 12.1" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5300 Series (2160)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/133 | 133 MHz | TFT (Color) | 12.1" | 800x600 | - |
| LTE 5380 Series (2160)[8] | > 1996 | Pentium/133 | 133 MHz | TFT (Color) | 12.1" | 1024x768 | - |
| LTE 5400 Series (2160)[8] | > 1997 | Pentium/150 | 150 MHz | TFT (Color) | 12.1" | 800x600 | - |
Later models
The success of the original LTE series led Compaq to apply the designation to later models. The LTE 386 made extensive use of flexible electronics for the motherboard and motherboard interconnects. Other later Compaq LTE computers had a pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard, however the LTE Elite 486 models had a trackball mounted to the right of the LCD screen. The LTE Elite series had an easily removable hard drive for data security purposes. Starting with the LTE 386, the LTE series computers were able to connect to a (in some cases, powered) docking station to act as a regular desktop computer. Later models are able to remove the floppy drive to add an internal CD-ROM drive, which was an expensive upgrade option for the late LTE series. The last LTE laptops were the 5000 series ending with the 5400, which had a 150 MHz Pentium processor and was quite capable of running Windows 98SE. It also allowed for swappable Floppy Drive/CD-ROM Drive.
Docking stations
The LTE range was marketed as a desktop replacement solution and with its docking options allowed peripherals to be permanently connected. The LTE laptop would be simply removed from the docking station to be used on the go, and then docked to use in the office.
There were different docking station options for the differing LTE models.
| Docking Station | Compatible Models | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LTE Lite Desktop Expansion Base | LTE Lite (All models) | Also suitable for Elite models with Upgrade Adapter |
| SmartStation Expansion Base | LTE Elite (All models) | - |
| MiniStation Base | LTE Elite (All models) | - |
| MultiBay Expansion Base[8] ^ | LTE 5000 Family (Most models) | - |
| MultiBay-ISA Expansion Base[8] ^ | LTE 5000 Family (Most models) | Has ISA expansion slot |
^ Note the MultiBay Expansion Base and MultiBay-ISA Expansion Base are virtually the same with the MultiBay-ISA Expansion Base having an ISA slot in the back panel, and a speaker assembly[8].
Trivia
- When the LTE Lite was first released in 1992, there was only four models released. Lite/25, Lite/25E, Lite/25C & Lite 4/25C (486/25). Later in 1993, there was a 486 33MHz version of the Lite model which was relatively unknown[9]
- The Compaq LTE 5280, which was released in 1995, is still used in 2016 by McLaren Automotive to service the McLaren F1 supercar.[10]
In popular culture
- The Compaq LTE/286 model was used seen in the 1994 Season 1, Episode 22 of Frasier[11].
- In a Homestar Runner DVD exclusive Easter egg short "Real-Live E-Mails", a Compaq LTE was used as a live-action stand-in for Strong Bad's Lappy 486 computer.[12]
See also
References
- "Chronology of Computer, Business and Association". Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
- Compaq LTE Original Spec.
- "Personal Computers; Compaq Does It Again". The New York Times. 17 October 1989. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
- Munich Computer Museum entry on the LTE (in German)
- "LTE Lite Info". Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- Compaq LTE Lite Family PDF
- Compaq LTE Elite Family PDF
- Compaq LTE 5000 Family PDF
- "LTE Lite 4/33C". Archived from the original on 2016-03-11.
- "This Ancient Laptop Is The Only Key To The Most Valuable Supercars On The Planet". Jalopnik.
- Frasier - Season 1, Episode 22, "Author, Author" (1994) - The brothers use an LTE 286 for their writing.
- "Real-Live E-Mails". Homestar Runner Wiki. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
External links
- Article describing original LTE/286
- Compaq LTE Owners Facebook Enthusiasts Group