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
ManufacturerCompaq
Product familyLTE
TypeNotebook
Release date1989 (1989)[1]
Discontinued1997
Operating systemDOS, Windows
Platformi386
PredecessorCompaq SLT
SuccessorCompaq 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
ModelRelease DateProcessorSpeedScreen TypeDisplay sizeScreen ResolutionNotes
Original LTE models
LTE[2]1989[1]Intel 80869.55 MHz80/40 x 25 lines, grayscale, 4 shades?640 x 200640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards
LTE/286[4]1989[1]Intel 80C28612 MHz80/40 x 25 lines, grayscale, 4 shades?640 x 200640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards
LTE Lite models
LTE Lite/2027 January 1992[5]386SL20 MHz???16Kb external cache, Maxlight VGA, no trackball
LTE Lite/25[6]27 January 1992[5]386SL25 MHzMaxlight VGA LCD9.5"640x48016Kb external cache
LTE Lite/25C[6]15 June 1992[5]386SL25 MHzActive Matrix TFT (Color)8.4"640x48064Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite/25E[6]15 June 1992[5]386SL (Mono)25 MHzActive Matrix TFT (Mono)8.4"640x48064Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite 4/25C[6]9 November 1992[5]486SL25 MHzActive Matrix TFT (Color)8.4"640x4808Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite 4/25EMay 1993[5]486SL (with math co-processor)25 MHzActive Matrix TFT (Mono)??8 Kb external cache, trackball included
LTE Lite 4/33CMay 1993[5]486SL (with math co-processor)33 MHzActive Matrix TFT (Color)??8Kb external cache, trackball included, supports Advanced Power Management (APM)
LTE Elite models
LTE Elite 4/40C[7]> 1994486DX240 MHzSTN (Color)9.4"640x4808KB cache, 4MB RAM, 170 HDD
LTE Elite 4/50E[7]> 1994486 DX250 MHzTFT (Mono)9.5"640x4808KB cache, 4MB RAM, 250MB HDD
LTE Elite 4/40CX[7]> 1994486 DX240 MHzTFT (Color)8.4"640x4808KB cache, 4MB RAM, 170/340MB HDD
LTE Elite 4/50CX[7]> 1994486 DX250 MHzTFT (Color)9.5"640x4808KB cache, 8MB RAM, 340MB HDD
LTE Elite 4/75CX[7]> 1994486 DX475 MHzTFT (Color)9.5"640x48016KB cache, 8MB RAM, 340/510MB HDD
LTE 5000 models
LTE 5000 series (510)[8]> 1996Pentium/7575 MHzColor-STN10.4"640x480-
LTE 5000 series (810)[8]> 1996Pentium/7575 MHzColor-STN11.3"800x600-
LTE 5000 series (810)[8]> 1996Pentium/7575 MHzTFT (Color)10.4"640x480-
LTE 5100 series (810)[8]> 1996Pentium/9090 MHzTFT (Color)10.4"800x600-
LTE 5100 series (810)[8]> 1996Pentium/9090 MHzTFT (Color)10.4"800x600-
LTE 5150 series (810)[8]> 1996Pentium/100100 MHzColor-STN11.3"800x600-
LTE 5200 series (1350)[8]> 1996Pentium/120120 MHzTFT (Color)10.4"800x600-
LTE 5250 series (810)[8]> 1996Pentium/120120 MHzTFT (Color)10.4"800x600-
LTE 5280 series (810)[8]> 1996Pentium/120120 MHzTFT (Color)11.3"800x600-
LTE 5300 series (1350)[8]> 1996Pentium/133133 MHzTFT (Color)12.1"800x600-
LTE 5300 series (2160)[8]> 1996Pentium/133133 MHzTFT (Color)12.1"800x600-
LTE 5380 series (2160)[8]> 1996Pentium/133133 MHzTFT (Color)12.1"1024x768-
LTE 5400 series (2160)[8]> 1997Pentium/150150 MHzTFT (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.

AspectValue
ProcessorLTE: 9.55 MHz Intel 8086; LTE 286: 12 MHz Intel 80C286
Memory640 kB base RAM, additional 1–4 MB using proprietary memory cards
Hard diskLTE: 20 MB: LTE/286: 40 MB, <29 ms seek time
Floppy disk drive1.44 MB floppy drive
Video adapterBacklit grayscale CGA 640 x 200 display (80/40 x 25 lines, 4 shades of grey) with separate CGA video output
ModemInternal 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 StationCompatible ModelsNotes
LTE Lite Desktop Expansion BaseLTE Lite (All models)Also suitable for Elite models with Upgrade Adapter
SmartStation Expansion BaseLTE Elite (All models)-
MiniStation BaseLTE 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]
  • 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

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.
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