Compaqs

Compaqs were IBM PC–compatible personal computers and related products produced by the Compaq Computer Corporation, an American company founded in 1982 by Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto in Houston, Texas. The company built its reputation by delivering affordable, fully compatible PCs designed to run the broad software ecosystem developed for IBM’s PCs, helping to drive the growth of the PC clone market in the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1983, Compaq introduced the Compaq Portable, one of the first portable IBM PC–compatible machines, followed by the Deskpro desktop line in 1984. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Compaq expanded its product range to encompass desktops, laptops, and servers, becoming one of the world’s largest PC makers. The company pursued growth through internal development and strategic acquisitions to broaden its enterprise offerings.

A major corporate milestone occurred in 1998, when Compaq acquired Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for $9.6 billion, adding large-scale servers and Alpha-based systems to its portfolio and strengthening its position in enterprise computing. This move helped redefine Compaq as a comprehensive provider of both client systems and data-center hardware.

In 2002, Hewlett-Packard announced plans to acquire Compaq for about $25 billion, and the deal was completed later that year. The merged company used the HP name for most products, while some Compaq-branded lines persisted for a period before branding was consolidated.

Legacy of the Compaqs includes early innovation in PC compatibility and a lasting influence on desktop and server markets. The Compaq name is closely tied to the era of rapid expansion and consolidation in the computer industry at the turn of the millennium.