Compaq 2820

[Vin174]

The Compaq 2820 laptop, part of the early Compaq Contura series from the mid-1990s, was notable as one of the pioneers of subnotebook designs, a precursor to the modern netbook. It stood out for its portability and compact size while running MS-DOS and Windows 3.1, and later Windows 95, addressing the growing demand for mobile computing in business and academic environments. Its significance lies in advancing mobile computing access, influencing the evolution of laptops from bulky portables to practical, lightweight machines.

Manufacturer: Compaq Computer Corporation
Type: Laptop
Release Date: 1994
Cost at release: $3,600 (adjusted for inflation)
MIPS: 20

Hardware Specifications

CPU: Intel 80486SX-SL (SL-enhanced 486SX) at 25 MHz
Memory: 4 MB standard (proprietary), expandable to 12 MB (Compaq modules) or 20 MB (third-party)
Storage: 2.5″ IDE hard drive, typically 120-170 MB (options up to 250 MB)
Display: 8-inch passive matrix grayscale VGA (640×480, 16 shades; color-capable externally), 256 KB VRAM
Graphics: SMOS 8108 chipset
Expansion: 1x PCMCIA Type II slot
Ports: 1x RS-232 serial, 1x ECP/EPP parallel
Input: Integrated trackball, touch-typeable keyboard with palm rest
Audio: PC speaker
Battery: NiMH (1500 or 2300 mAh), up to 6 hours
Power: Barrel jack (17.5V, 1.4A)
Dimensions: 1.5 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (3.8 x 26 x 19 cm)
Weight: ~1.3 kg

Operating System & Programming Languages

Operating System: MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1
Supported Languages: BASIC (e.g., QBASIC, GW-BASIC bundled with MS-DOS), C/C++ compilers (e.g., Microsoft Visual C++ 1.x, Borland C++), Pascal (Turbo Pascal), and assembly language, all runnable via DOS or Windows 3.1

Notables

Part of Compaq Contura Aero 4/25 series (1994), nicknamed “Aero” for its lightweight, aircraft-inspired subnotebook design at 2.9 lbs, among the first “no-compromise” affordable portables under $2,000 USD.
Featured innovative integrated trackball and touch-type keyboard with palm rest, a precursor to modern laptop ergonomics; one of the earliest with SL-enhanced 486SX for better battery life (up to 6 hours NiMH).
Compaq’s ad campaign touted it as the “world’s first no-compromise affordable subnotebook,” emphasizing grayscale 8″ display and PCMCIA expansion amid the shift from bulky luggables to true mobiles.
Marked Compaq’s push into consumer portables before HP acquisition; represented the 486 era’s portability boom, bridging MS-DOS/Windows 3.1 to 95 in business/academic use.

Donated by: Danny Globerman

Vintage Computing Collection