Compaq Deskpro 386
Compaq
Specifications
- CPU
- Intel 80386 DX @ 16 MHz
- Memory
- 1 MB standard, up to 16 MB
- Storage
- 40 MB or 130 MB HDD; 1.2 MB floppy
- Display
- CGA, EGA, VGA-class graphics
- OS
- MS-DOS; Windows/386; Xenix; later OS/2
- Intro price
- $6,499
The machine
Compaq shipped the first 386-based PC seven months before IBM did. Full 32-bit CPU, 32-bit data path on the motherboard (while keeping 16-bit ISA slots for cards), and a careful chipset design that became a reference for the industry.
Why it matters
The moment the IBM-compatible clone industry overtook IBM technically. After this, IBM was no longer the company that set the PC's pace.