Compaq Portable III

The Compaq Portable III replaced the CRT used by earlier Compaq luggables with a wide orange gas-plasma display. Its 80286 processor, hard disk and folding keyboard delivered a slimmer transportable business computer.

The system is a clear transitional design between suitcase PCs and true battery-powered laptops, using a flat display while still relying on mains power.

Notable Features

• Wide gas-plasma display
• Slimmer briefcase-like enclosure
• 80286 business-PC compatibility

Historical Significance

• The system is a clear transitional design between suitcase PCs and true battery-powered laptops, using a flat display while still relying on mains power.

Collector’s Notes

• Plasma panels, high-voltage display circuitry and proprietary hard disks can be difficult to repair.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Compaq Portable III
Manufacturer	Compaq
Launched	Thursday, January 1, 1987
Country	United States
CPU	Intel 80286
Units Sold
Form Factor	Slim luggable
Power	Mains AC
Networking	Via expansion card
Operating System	Compaq MS-DOS
Expansion / I/O	ISA expansion; serial, parallel and external display
Keyboard	Full-size detachable/folding keyboard
Storage	1.2 MB 5.25-inch floppy and 20 or 40 MB hard disk
Sound	PC speaker
Colours	Monochrome plasma; external adapter dependent
Graphics	640 x 400 pixel plasma display; external monitor support
Display	Built-in orange gas-plasma panel
ROM	Compaq BIOS
RAM	640 KB standard; expandable with extended memory
CPU Speed	12 MHz