Compaq Contura
The Compaq Contura Aero was popularized as a line of computer handhelds produced by Compaq Computer Corporation. It was succeeded by the iPAQ line. The Aero name was first used for small sub-notebooks computers that Compaq produced in the mid-90's, the Contura Aero 4/25 and 4/33c.
Early Subnotebook
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 part of Compaq's Contura line of laptop computers but were smaller.
4/25
- i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 25MHz
- passive matrix gray scale VGA display, 16 shades (640x480) high resolution, 64 shades (320x200) low resolution, color capable when using an external VGA monitor.
- 4MB built-in memory, expandable to a maximum of 8MB or 12MB using an optional 4MB or 8MB Compaq branded module, or 20MB using a third party 16MB module.
- 256KB video memory
- 84MB, 170MB or 250MB 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]
4/33c
- i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 33MHz
- passive matrix color VGA display, 16 colors (640x480) high resolution, 256 colors (320x200) low resolution
- 4MB built-in memory, expandable to a maximum of 8MB or 12MB using an optional 4MB or 8MB Compaq branded module, or 20MB using a third party 16MB module.
- 256KB video memory
- 84MB, 170MB or 250MB 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)
Notebook Computer series
Other laptops in the Contura series include the 3/20, 3/25, 3/25c, 400, 400C, 400CX, 410C, 410CX, 420C, 420CX, 430C, 430CX. These were not ultra-portable subnotebook computers. The "X" designation denoted an active matrix screen. These laptops do not have the "Aero" designation.
3/20
- 386SL running at 20MHz
- VGA monochrome display
- 2MB of RAM
- 40MB or 84MB of hard disk
- External trackball that attached to the side of the laptop
3/25
- 386SL running at 25MHz
- VGA monochrome display
- 4MB of RAM
- 60MB or 120MB of hard disk
- External trackball that attached to the side of the laptop
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
- ↑ Compaq Aero FAQ
- ↑ Aero 1500 Quickspecs
- ↑ Aero 2100 Quickspecs
- ↑ Aero 8000 Quickspecs
- ↑ C-Series Quickspecs
- ↑ Aero 1550 Quickspecs