Compaq LTE


The Compaq LTE was a line of laptop computers made by Compaq, introduced in 1989. The first models, the Compaq LTE and the 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 built-in hard disk and floppy disk drives, and later models offered optional docking stations providing performance comparable to then-current desktop machines.

History

introduced the LTE in 1989. At the time of launch virtually no "notebook" style fully fledged computers existed. Prior to the LTE series, portable computers were bulky, such as the 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.

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. 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 using proprietary memory cards
Hard diskLTE: 20 MB: LTE/286: 40 MB,
Floppy disk drive floppy drive
Video adapterBacklit grayscale CGA display with separate CGA video output
ModemInternal Hayes

Models

Later models

The success of the original LTE series led Compaq to apply the designation to later models. The 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 the LTE 386, the LTE series computers were able to connect to a docking station to act as a regular desktop computer. Later models are able to remove 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 Drive/CD-ROM Drive.

Docking stations

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 Also suitable for Elite models with Upgrade Adapter
SmartStation Expansion BaseLTE Elite -
MiniStation BaseLTE Elite -
MultiBay Expansion Base ^LTE 5000 Family -
MultiBay-ISA Expansion Base ^LTE 5000 Family 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.

Trivia