Compaq Contura


The Compaq Contura was a line of notebook computers produced by Compaq Computer Corporation. Released in 1992, the Contura was Compaq’s first attempt at making an affordable, entry-level laptop computer.

Compaq Contura
Compaq Contura 420C.
DeveloperCompaq
TypeLaptop
Release date1992-1996
SuccessorCompaq Armada

Contura series

The main Contura series included models 3/20, 3/25, 3/25c, 4/25, 4/25c, 4/25cx, 400, 400C, 400CX, 410, 410C, 410CX, 420C, 420CX, 430C, and 430CX. These were standard-size notebooks, not ultra-portable subnotebook computers. The "X" designation denoted an active matrix screen.

3/20
  • 386SL running at 20MHz
  • Display: VGA monochrome
  • RAM: 2MB
  • 40MB or 84MB hard disk
  • External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

3/25
  • 386SL running at 25MHz
  • Display: VGA monochrome
  • RAM: 4MB
  • 60MB or 80MB hard disk
  • External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

3/25c
  • 386SL running at 25MHz
  • Display: VGA color
  • RAM: 4MB
  • 80MB or 120MB hard disk
  • External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

4/25
  • 486SL running at 25MHz
  • Display: VGA monochrome
  • RAM: 4MB
  • 120MB or 200MB hard disk
  • External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

4/25c
  • 486SL running at 25MHz
  • Display: VGA color
  • RAM: 4MB
  • 120MB or 200MB hard disk
  • External trackball attached to the side of the laptop

4/25cx
  • 486SL running at 25MHz
  • Display: VGA color (active matrix)
  • RAM: 4MB
  • 120MB or 200MB hard disk
  • Integrated trackball

Contura Aero series

The Compaq Contura Aero 4/25 and 4/33c were among the earliest subnotebook computers that acted as a precursor to netbooks. They were released in 1994 and originally ran MS-DOS and Windows 3.1. They were also able to run Windows 95 after its release in 1995. They were similar to the Contura line of laptop computers but smaller. Although the 4/25's GPU can produce color, the datasheet for the device states it is incapable of producing color graphics. This does not apply to the 4/33c.

4/25
  • i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 25MHz
  • Display: Passive matrix gray scale VGA (16 shades (640x480) high resolution, 64 shades (320x200) low resolution, color capable when using an external VGA monitor)
  • RAM: 4MB built-in (expandable to a maximum of 8 or 12MB using an optional 4 or 8MB Compaq branded module, or 20MB using a third party 16MB module)
  • 256KB video memory (512KB exists in the system, but is not accessible by the GPU.)
  • 84, 170 or 250MB 2.5" IDE hard disk drive
  • 1 PCMCIA slot (Type II)
  • 1 ECP/EPP 1.9 capable parallel port
  • 1 RS-232 serial port (16550 UART)
  • 1.5 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (3.8 x 26 x 19 cm)[1]
  • Integrated trackball

4/33c
Contura Aero 4/33c
  • i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 33MHz
  • Display: Passive matrix color VGA (16 colors (640x480) high resolution, 256 colors (320x200) low resolution)
  • RAM: 4MB built-in (expandable to a maximum of 8 or 12MB using an optional 4 or 8MB Compaq branded module, or 20MB using a third party 16MB module)
  • 256KB video memory (512KB exists in the system, but is not accessible by the GPU.)
  • 84, 170 or 250MB 2.5" IDE hard disk drive
  • 1 PCMCIA slot (Type II)
  • 1 ECP/EPP 1.9 capable parallel port
  • 1 RS-232 serial port (16550 UART)
  • 1.7 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (4.3 x 26 x 19 cm)
  • Integrated trackball

List of Aero handhelds
  • Compaq Aero 1500 Palm-size PC[2]
  • Compaq Aero 2100 Color Palm-size PC[3]
  • Compaq Aero 8000 Handheld PC Pro[4]

This line of palm-sized PCs from Compaq was first succeeded by the Compaq C-Series[5] and then by the Aero 1550 Pocket PC.[6] The line of handheld devices starting from the Aero 1550 Pocket PC were finally moulded into the iPAQ line of handheld devices, which is currently handled by Hewlett-Packard, after their acquisition of Compaq.

References
  1. Compaq Aero FAQ
  2. "Aero 1500 Quickspecs". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  3. "Aero 2100 Quickspecs". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  4. "Aero 8000 Quickspecs". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  5. "C-Series Quickspecs". Archived from the original on 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  6. "Aero 1550 Quickspecs". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
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