Compaq Deskpro

The original Compaq Deskpro was a high-performance desktop IBM PC-compatible using an Intel 8086 processor. It offered more processing power than the 8088-based IBM PC while retaining access to the growing PC software and expansion-card market.

The Deskpro established Compaq as a desktop manufacturer as well as a portable-computer specialist and began one of the company’s longest-lived product families.

Notable Features

• Desktop design with a faster 16-bit 8086 data path
• IBM PC software compatibility through Compaq’s BIOS
• Multiple drive and expansion configurations

Historical Significance

• The Deskpro established Compaq as a desktop manufacturer as well as a portable-computer specialist and began one of the company’s longest-lived product families.

Collector’s Notes

• Deskpro systems were sold in several memory and storage configurations; the installed cards and drives are part of each machine’s history.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Compaq Deskpro
Manufacturer	Compaq
Launched	Friday, June 1, 1984
Launch Price	From $2,495
Country	United States
CPU	Intel 8086
Units Sold
Form Factor	Desktop
Power	Mains AC
Networking	Via expansion card
Operating System	Compaq MS-DOS
Expansion / I/O	ISA expansion slots; serial/parallel depending on configuration
Keyboard	Detachable PC keyboard
Storage	5.25-inch floppy drive; optional hard disk
Sound	PC speaker
Colours	Monochrome or colour depending on adapter
Graphics	MDA or CGA depending on adapter
Display	External monitor
ROM	Compaq BIOS
RAM	128 KB standard; expandable to 640 KB
CPU Speed	7.14 MHz