Compaq LTE

Compaq LTE was a line of laptop computers made by Compaq, introduced in 1989.[1][2] The first models, Compaq LTE and Compaq LTE 286, were among the first computers to be close to the size of a paper notebook, spurring the use of the term "notebook" to describe a smaller laptop, and earned a notable place in laptop history. They were also among the first to include both a built-in hard disk and a floppy disk drive, and later models offered optional docking stations, providing performance comparable to then-current desktop machines.[3]

Compaq LTE

Media: a woman using a COMPAQ LTE Elite 4/40CX notebook
Manufacturer	Compaq
Product family	LTE
Type	Notebook
Release date	1989[1]
Discontinued	1997
Operating system	DOS, Windows
Platform	i386
Predecessor	Compaq SLT
Successor	Compaq Armada and Contura

History

Compaq LTE/286

Compaq introduced the LTE in 1989.[3] At the time of launch, virtually no "notebook"-style fully-fledged computers existed. Prior to the LTE series, portable computers were bulky, such as Compaq SLT, which is coined as the predecessor to the LTE series, despite both models existing side-by-side for some time. Compaq SLT had large full-size 3.5-inch hard drives, and was heavy at 6.5 kg in comparison to the LTE at approximately 2.5 kg.

Compaq LTE was said to be a turning point in portable computing with its small form factor and lightweight components.

Models

List of LTE models
Model	Release Date	Processor	Speed	Screen Type	Display size	Screen Resolution	Notes
Original LTE models
LTE[2]	1989[1]	Intel 8086	9.55 MHz	80/40 x 25 lines, grayscale, 4 shades	?	640 x 200	640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards
LTE/286[4]	1989[1]	Intel 80C286	12 MHz	80/40 x 25 lines, grayscale, 4 shades	?	640 x 200	640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards
LTE Lite models
LTE Lite/20	27 January 1992[5]	386SL	20 MHz	?	?	?	16Kb external cache, Maxlight VGA, no trackball
LTE Lite/25[6]	27 January 1992[5]	386SL	25 MHz	Maxlight VGA LCD	9.5"	640x480	16Kb external cache
LTE Lite/25C[6]	15 June 1992[5]	386SL	25 MHz	Active Matrix TFT (Color)	8.4"	640x480	64Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite/25E[6]	15 June 1992[5]	386SL (Mono)	25 MHz	Active Matrix TFT (Mono)	8.4"	640x480	64Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite 4/25C[6]	9 November 1992[5]	486SL	25 MHz	Active Matrix TFT (Color)	8.4"	640x480	8Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite 4/25E	May 1993[5]	486SL (with math co-processor)	25 MHz	Active Matrix TFT (Mono)	?	?	8 Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite 4/33C	May 1993[5]	486SL (with math co-processor)	33 MHz	Active Matrix TFT (Color)	?	?	8Kb external cache, trackball included, supports Advanced Power Management (APM)
LTE Elite models
LTE Elite 4/40C[7]	> 1994	486DX2	40 MHz	STN (Color)	9.4"	640x480	8KB cache, 4MB RAM, 170 HDD
LTE Elite 4/50E[7]	> 1994	486 DX2	50 MHz	TFT (Mono)	9.5"	640x480	8KB cache, 4MB RAM, 250MB HDD
LTE Elite 4/40CX[7]	> 1994	486 DX2	40 MHz	TFT (Color)	8.4"	640x480	8KB cache, 4MB RAM, 170/340MB HDD
LTE Elite 4/50CX[7]	> 1994	486 DX2	50 MHz	TFT (Color)	9.5"	640x480	8KB cache, 8MB RAM, 340MB HDD
LTE Elite 4/75CX[7]	> 1994	486 DX4	75 MHz	TFT (Color)	9.5"	640x480	16KB cache, 8MB RAM, 340/510MB HDD
LTE 5000 models
LTE 5000 series (510)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/75	75 MHz	Color-STN	10.4"	640x480	-
LTE 5000 series (810)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/75	75 MHz	Color-STN	11.3"	800x600	-
LTE 5000 series (810)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/75	75 MHz	TFT (Color)	10.4"	640x480	-
LTE 5100 series (810)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/90	90 MHz	TFT (Color)	10.4"	800x600	-
LTE 5100 series (810)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/90	90 MHz	TFT (Color)	10.4"	800x600	-
LTE 5150 series (810)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/100	100 MHz	Color-STN	11.3"	800x600	-
LTE 5200 series (1350)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/120	120 MHz	TFT (Color)	10.4"	800x600	-
LTE 5250 series (810)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/120	120 MHz	TFT (Color)	10.4"	800x600	-
LTE 5280 series (810)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/120	120 MHz	TFT (Color)	11.3"	800x600	-
LTE 5300 series (1350)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/133	133 MHz	TFT (Color)	12.1"	800x600	-
LTE 5300 series (2160)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/133	133 MHz	TFT (Color)	12.1"	800x600	-
LTE 5380 series (2160)[8]	> 1996	Pentium/133	133 MHz	TFT (Color)	12.1"	1024x768	-
LTE 5400 series (2160)[8]	> 1997	Pentium/150	150 MHz	TFT (Color)	12.1"	800x600	-

Original model specifications

The two original LTE models differed primarily in the processor availability; however, the 286 model came with a standard 40 MB hard drive in place of the base model's 20 MB. Both computers weighed 6.7 lb (3.0 kg). They ran MS-DOS version 3.31.

Aspect	Value
Processor	LTE: 9.55 MHz Intel 8086; LTE 286: 12 MHz Intel 80C286
Memory	640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards
Hard disk	LTE: 20 MB: LTE/286: 40 MB, <29 ms seek time
Floppy disk drive	1.44 MB floppy drive
Video adapter	Backlit grayscale CGA 640 x 200 display (80/40 x 25 lines, 4 shades of grey) with separate CGA video output
Modem	Internal 2400 bit/s Hayes

Later models

A Compaq LTE Lite (386) laptop.

The success of the original LTE series led Compaq to apply the designation to later models. LTE 386 made extensive use of flexible electronics for the motherboard and motherboard interconnects. Other later Compaq LTE computers had a pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard, however, the LTE Elite 486 models had a trackball mounted to the right of the LCD screen. The LTE Elite series had an easily-removable hard drive for data security purposes. Starting with LTE 386, the LTE series computers were able to connect to a (in some cases, powered) docking station to act as a regular desktop computer. Later models' designs provide for the easy removal the floppy drive to add an internal CD-ROM drive, which was an expensive upgrade option for the late LTE series. The last LTE laptops were the 5000 series, ending with the 5400, which had a 150 MHz Pentium processor, and was quite capable of running Windows 98SE. It also allowed for swappable Floppy/CD-ROM drives.

Docking stations

LTE Lite laptop with dock

The LTE range was marketed as a desktop replacement solution, and with its docking options, allowed peripherals to be permanently connected. The LTE laptop would be simply removed from the docking station to be used on the go, and then docked to use in the office.

There were different docking station options for the differing LTE models.

Docking Station	Compatible Models	Notes
LTE Lite Desktop Expansion Base	LTE Lite (All models)	Also suitable for Elite models with Upgrade Adapter
SmartStation Expansion Base	LTE Elite (All models)	-
MiniStation Base	LTE Elite (All models)	-
MultiBay Expansion Base[8] ^	LTE 5000 Family (Most models)	-
MultiBay-ISA Expansion Base[8] ^	LTE 5000 Family (Most models)	Has ISA expansion slot

^ Note: The MultiBay Expansion Base and MultiBay-ISA Expansion Base are virtually the same, with the MultiBay-ISA Expansion Base having an ISA slot in the back panel, and a speaker assembly.[8]

Trivia

• When the LTE Lite series was first released in 1992, there were only four models released: Lite/25, Lite/25E, Lite/25C, and Lite 4/25C (486/25). Later, in 1993, there was a 486 33MHz version of the Lite model, which was relatively unknown[9]
• Compaq LTE 5280, released in 1995, is still used in 2016 by McLaren Automotive to service the McLaren F1 supercar.[10]

In popular culture

• The Compaq LTE/286 model was used seen in the 1994 Season 1, Episode 22 of Frasier.[11]
• In a Homestar Runner DVD exclusive Easter egg short "Real-Live E-Mails", a Compaq LTE was used as a live-action stand-in for Strong Bad's Lappy 486 computer.[12]

See also

• NEC UltraLite

References

1. "Chronology of Computer, Business and Association". Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
2. Compaq LTE Original Spec.
3. "Personal Computers; Compaq Does It Again". The New York Times. 17 October 1989. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
4. Munich Computer Museum entry on the LTE (in German)
5. "LTE Lite Info". Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
6. Compaq LTE Lite Family PDF
7. Compaq LTE Elite Family PDF
8. Compaq LTE 5000 Family PDF
9. "LTE Lite 4/33C". Archived from the original on 2016-03-11.
10. "This Ancient Laptop Is The Only Key To The Most Valuable Supercars On The Planet". Jalopnik.
11. Frasier - Season 1, Episode 22, "Author, Author" (1994) - The brothers use an LTE 286 for their writing.
12. "Real-Live E-Mails". Homestar Runner Wiki. Retrieved 18 September 2018.

External links

• Article describing original LTE/286
• Compaq LTE Owners Facebook Enthusiasts Group