Compaq LTE#Docking stations

The concept for the LTE line was originally drafted for Compaq in 1986 by Christopher J. Gintz, who was director of technical and planning development for the company at the time.{{cite book | last=Tour | first=James M. | date=2003 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DHFX7jII6BMC | title=Molecular Electronics: Commercial Insights, Chemistry, Devices, Architecture and Programming | publisher=World Scientific | page=11 | isbn=9789812383419 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Clore | first=Kathlyn | date=June 30, 2007 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/459254867/ | title=Mixing science and sports: Gintz works with nanotechnology | journal=McClatchy-Tribune Business News | page=1 | via=ProQuest}} Between this time and the unveiling of the LTE in October 1989, Compaq released the Portable 386 in 1987, another entry in Compaq's long line of portable computers that were compatible with IBM's Personal Computer platform. In 1988, they released the SLT/286, Compaq's first ever laptop.{{cite book | last=Canion | first=Rod | author-link=Rod Canion | date=2013 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qgv1AgAAQBAJ | title=Open: How Compaq Ended IBM's PC Domination and Helped Invent Modern Computing | publisher=BenBella Books | pages=196–197 | isbn=9781937856991 | via=Google Books}}

The notebook computer emerged as a size category of portable computer starting with Epson's HX-20 in 1982. It was further popularized by Radio Shack's TRS-80 Model 100 in 1983.{{cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Peter H. | date=August 21, 1990 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/427761532/ | title=Notable Notebooks | journal=The New York Times | page=C7 | via=ProQuest}}{{cite journal | last=McCracken | first=Harry | date=December 1999 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/231363798/ | title=The 50-pound featherweight | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=17 | issue=12 | page=144 | via=ProQuest}} In terms of footprint, these notebooks measured roughly the size of a sheet of ANSI Letter paper—{{convert|8.5|by|11|in|mm|1}}—making them easy to slip into an average-sized briefcase, and were relatively lightweight, making them easy to lift with one hand.{{cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Peter H. | date=October 17, 1989 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/17/science/personal-computers-compaq-does-it-again.html | title=Compaq Does It Again | journal=The New York Times | page=C8 | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20231019055439/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/17/science/personal-computers-compaq-does-it-again.html | archivedate=October 19, 2023}} The first notebook on the market compatible with the IBM PC was NEC's UltraLite in 1988.{{cite journal | last=Parker | first=John | date=June 3, 1991 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/194221326/ | title=Notebook Computers Grow Up in a Hurry | journal=Electronic Business | publisher=Reed Business Information | volume=17 | issue=11 | page=60 | via=ProQuest}} Quoted in {{cite book | editor-last=Bugra | editor-first=Ayse | date=2011 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4RTlWaXXHVEC | title=State, Market and Organizational Form | publisher=De Gruyter | page=235 | isbn=9783110800739 | via=Google Books}} Weighing in at {{convert|4.4|lb|kg|1}}, the UltraLite eschewed from conventional floppy and hard disk drives for software and data storage, in favor of proprietary ROM and RAM cards. This approach was technically impressive but led to slow adoption rates by consumers due to the difficulty of transferring data to and from IBM PCs and compatibles because of the lack of an internal floppy drive. Zenith Data Systems' notebook-sized MinisPort, released slightly after the UltraLite in 1989, did little to ameliorate this issue despite offering an internal floppy drive due to its non-standard, 2-inch format.

{{Main|Compaq LTE (1st generation)}}

File:Compaq LTE 1st generation.jpg

The LTE and LTE/286, released in October 1989, were true notebooks, each occupying exactly the footprint of ANSI Letter paper while measuring {{convert|1.9|in|mm}} thick.{{cite journal | last=Jones | first=Mitt | date=December 12, 1989 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5CmkZ3THZtwC&pg=PT36 | title=Notebook-sized Compaq LTE and LTE/286 Set New Laptop Standard | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=8 | issue=21 | pages=33–35 | via=Google Books}}{{rp|33}}{{cite journal | last=Levinson | first=Sherwin | date=January 1, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 | title=LTE/286 Is a Breakthrough for Portable Computing | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=12 | issue=1 | pages=56–58 | via=Google Books}}{{rp|56}} The LTE was the first notebook on the market with conventional 3.5-inch floppy disk drives, as well as the first with optional hard disk drives.{{cite journal | last=Dryden | first=Patrick | date=October 23, 1989 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pTAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA25 | title=Citizen to Help Build Compaq Laptops | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=11 | issue=43 | page=49 | via=Google Books}} Compaq sourced their floppy drives from Citizen Watch and their hard drives from Conner Peripherals. Despite the drive's platters measuring 3.5 inches in diameter, as had been typical of desktop computers since the late 1980s, the drive's casing measured {{convert|0.75|in|mm}} thick—much thinner than the desktop drives of its day. This allowed Compaq to fit a spinning hard drive within the confines of the notebook-sized computer.{{rp|34}} Compaq offered the baseline, 8086-equipped LTE with either an internal 20-MB Conner hard drive or no hard drive at all (while still possessing a floppy drive). On the other hand, Compaq offered users the option to buy the 286-based LTE/286 with a 40-MB hard drive, a 20-MB hard drive, or no hard drive.{{rp|34}}{{efn|Compaq also sold external 360-KB and 1.2-MB 5.25-inch floppy drives compatible with the LTE as means of removable storage.{{rp|35}}}}

The LTE and LTE/286 feature monochrome LCD screens manufactured by Citizen Watch. The LCD measures 7.7 inches wide by 3.7 inches tall and is capable of displaying CGA graphics in four shades of gray. The screens contain a blue electroluminescent backlight, allowing users to read off the laptops in low-light conditions.{{rp|34}}{{cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Peter H. | date=October 21, 1990 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/427838277/ | title=A Notebook That Can Provide Desktop Power | journal=The New York Times | page=A8 | via=ProQuest}} The LTE sports an 80C86 clocked at 9.54 MHz, while the LTE/286 is based on the 80C286 clocked at 12 MHz. Both are respectively CMOS versions of Intel's 8086 and 80286 processors, intended for low-power applications such as battery-powered portable computers.{{rp|33}}{{efn|For the LTE/286 only, the laptop supports an optional math co-processor, the 80C287.{{cite journal | last=Davidson | first=Marc | date=February 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A8111942/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq LTE and LTE/286: redefining the notebook computer | journal=Lotus | publisher=Lotus Publishing | volume=6 | issue=2 | pages=90 et seq | via=Gale}}}} The LTE and LTE/286 are equipped with 640 KB of internal RAM, expandable to 1.6 MB (for the LTE) or 2.6 MB (for the LTE/286) of RAM with the use of the use of 1- and 2-MB proprietary RAM cards that were sold by Compaq.{{rp|34}}{{cite journal | last=Burke | first=Fredric | date=September 25, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LVCsAZClkfUC&pg=PT123 | title=Compaq Computer Corp.: Compaq LTE/286 | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume= | issue= | pages=112–126 | via=Google Books}}{{rp|112}}

The Compaq LTE and LTE/286 were primarily manufactured by Compaq at their Houston campus. Compaq later signed a contract with Citizen to allow the latter to manufacture models of the LTE and LTE/286 for distribution in certain territories. This was the first time that Citizen, primarily a manufacture of timepieces and precision electronics, had manufactured an entire computer system.{{cite journal | date=October 19, 1989 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/244058046/ | title=New Compaq portables | journal=Dallas Morning News | page=C4 | via=ProQuest}}

File:CompaqLTE386.jpg

In October 1990 the company unveiled the LTE/386s, featuring the Intel 386SX processor clocked at 20 MHz.{{cite journal | last=Boisseau | first=Charles | date=October 15, 1990 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/295610502/ | title=Aiming for a bigger byte of computer sales | journal=Houston Chronicle | page=1 | via=ProQuest}} The stock memory was bumped up to 2 MB, expandable to 10 MB, with the same proprietary RAM cards as its predecessor; the number of card slots was increased to two for the LTE/386s.{{cite journal | last=Pastore | first=Richard | date=October 15, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=98gtdXCSvIIC&pg=PA1 | title=Compaq to lead 'lite' brigade | journal=Computerworld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=XXIV | issue=42 | pages=1, 141 | via=Google Books}} The LTE/386s also replaced the stubbly display panel of the older models with a full-sized, 9-inch-diagonal LCD capable of displaying VGA graphics in sixteen shades of gray, in a return to form from the SLT.{{cite journal | last=Lavin | first=Paul | date=November 7, 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A9644559/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Big, fast and Texan | journal=PC User | publisher=EMAP Media | issue=145 | pages=69 et seq | via=Gale}}{{rp|81}} The designers behind the LTE/386s made heavy use of rigid-flex interconnects between the different printed circuit boards, as well as custom ASICs, in order to save weight and reduce the amount of fragile wires and cables. Furthermore, the LTE/386s was the first of Compaq's laptops to use Conner's portable-oriented hard drives, whose platter diameters measured 2.5 inches across as opposed to 3.5 inches across.{{cite journal | last=Bartimo | first=Jim | date=October 15, 1990 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/398276119/ | title=Compaq to Take Lead, for Now, with Notebook PC | journal=The Wall Street Journal | publisher=Dow Jones & Company | page=B5 | via=ProQuest}}{{cite journal | last=Mallory | first=Jim | date=November 5, 1991 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A11451198/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq cuts prices; announces new 84MB LTE notebook | journal=Newsbytes | publisher= Washington Post Company | via=Gale}}

{{Main|Compaq LTE Lite}}

File:Compaq LTE LITE 4-33C (3).jpg

The LTE Lite, released in 1992, improved the battery life and quality of its predecessors' LCD panels while reducing weight. The LTE Lite/20 and LTE Lite/25 introduced suspend and hibernation modes, as well as a BIOS password and a Kensington slot for added security.{{cite journal | last=Hayes | first=Thomas C. | date=January 27, 1992 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/27/business/compaq-set-to-introduce-2-computers.html | title=Compaq Set to Introduce 2 Computers | journal=The New York Times | page=D1 | via=ProQuest | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526060756/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/27/business/compaq-set-to-introduce-2-computers.html | archivedate=May 26, 2015}} Starting with the LTE Lite/25C and LTE Lite/25E, a trackball was built into the display housing on the right side, with the left- and right-click buttons on the reverse side of the housing.{{cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Peter H. | date=June 30, 1992 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/30/science/personal-computers-still-another-place-to-install-a-trackball.html | title=Still Another Place to Install a Trackball | journal=The New York Times | page=C5 | via=ProQuest | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109060432/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/30/science/personal-computers-still-another-place-to-install-a-trackball.html | archivedate=November 9, 2009}} The LTE Lite/20 and LTE Lite/25 used Intel's low-powered, portable-specific 80386SL processor.{{cite journal | last=Ayre | first=Rick | date=August 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hqQJaNzN9IcC&pg=PA182 | title=Compaq LTE/Lite 25, Compaq LTE/Lite 20, Compaq LTE 386s/20 | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=11 | issue=14 | pages=182–186 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Uiterwuk | first=Andreas | author2=Siobhan Nash | date=September 14, 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f1EEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA92 | title=Compaq LTE Lite/25c offers good color – for a price | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=14 | issue=37 | page=92 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Angus | first=Earl | author2=Siobhan Nash | date=August 2, 1993 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ozsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA82 | title=Compaq offers quality viewing | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=15 | issue=31 | page=82 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Blasko | first=Larry | date=October 26, 1993 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/262997483/ | title=Notebooks great for 'crisis' purchases | journal=St. Petersburg Times | publisher=Times Publishing Company | page=4D | via=ProQuest}} The LTE Lite 4/25, announced in November 1992, was the first laptop to feature Intel's later portable-specific i486SL.{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=November 9, 1992 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/398306491/ | title=Compaq to Sell 'Notebook' with Intel Microprocessor | journal=The Wall Street Journal | publisher=Dow Jones & Company | page=B10 | via=ProQuest}}

Manufacturing of the LTE Lites was initially performed at Compaq's plant in Houston, Texas. As with the preceding LTEs, Compaq used Citizen Watch of Japan as manufacturer for its monochrome passive-matrix LCDs and as a second source for manufacturing of the entire systems.{{cite journal | last=Jones | first=Mitt | date=March 31, 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a2YTCyIAwwIC&pg=PP40 | title=Compaq, Dell, and Zenith 386SL Notebooks Promise Longer Battery Life | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=11 | issue=6 | pages=38–40 | via=Google Books}} Citizen later became its sole manufacturer.{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=July 16, 1993 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/398338069/ | title=Compaq Computer Corp.: Some Notebook Production to Be Moved from Citizen | journal=The Wall Street Journal | publisher=Dow Jones & Company | page=B4 | via=ProQuest}} Meanwhile, Compaq purchased the monochrome {{em|active}}-matrix panels used in the Lite/25E and Lite 4/25E from Hosiden.{{cite journal | last=Crothers | first=Brooke | date=January 23, 1995 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14 | title=LCD production damaged in earthquake | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=17 | issue=4 | page=14 | via=Google Books}}{{efn|These were the same LCDs used by Apple in some entries of their PowerBook 100 series. Compaq were the only notebook manufacturer besides Apple to make use of active-matrix monochrome LCDs.{{cite journal | last=Fitzgerald | first=Michael | date=December 21, 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4_Iuh9ebrG8C&pg=PA27 | title=Display standards elusive | journal=Computerworld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=26 | issue=51 | page=27 | via=Google Books}}}} Production of the LTE Lite was again moved from Citizen in Japan to Compaq's overseas plant in Singapore in 1994—Compaq citing wanting to fill vacant production lines in that plant, which also manufactured its Contura line of budget notebooks. The LTE Lite sold very well and quickly became Compaq's flagship mobile computer, overtaking sales of their earlier luggable portables.{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=March 7, 1994 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/398393407/ | title=Compaq Computer Corp.: Five Notebook Computers Due to Be Unveiled Today | journal=The Wall Street Journal | publisher=Dow Jones & Company | page=B6 | via=ProQuest}}

{{Main|Compaq LTE Elite}}

File:Compaq LTE Elite 4-75CX in docking station crop.jpg]]

The LTE Elite series, released in March 1994,{{cite book | editor-last=Chang | editor-first=Chun-Yen | editor2=Po-Lung Yu | date=2001 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YNzUCgAAQBAJ | title=Made by Taiwan: Booming in the Information Technology Era | publisher= World Scientific Publishing Company | page=175 | isbn=9789814489898 | via=Google Books}} was Compaq's first product with slots for PC Cards (known contemporaneously as PCMCIA cards, after the association who founded the card standard).{{cite journal | last=Caton | first=Michael | date=July 25, 1994 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A16153910/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq's LTE Notebook Gives Users Less to Lug Along | journal=PC Week | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=11 | issue=29 | page=69 et seq | via=Gale}} Unlike other vendor's implementation of PC Cards, the LTE Elite's was largely plug and play, allowing cards to be removed and new cards to be inserted without rebooting the machine. Compaq worked closely with Microsoft to develop the necessary support drivers for plug-and-play PC Cards in Windows 3.1 and the forthcoming Windows 95. VLSI Technology, whose largest customer at the time was Compaq, worked closely with the latter to design the PC Card controller ASIC. The LTE Elite also integrated the AC adapter into the main body of the laptop, eliminating the need for an external power brick. This was the first time this approach had been done in a notebook-sized computer.{{cite journal | last=Flanagan | first=William P. | date=September 13, 1994 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKaekAHjQ1EC&pg=PA37 | title=Power Without the Brick: The Compaq LTE Elite 4/75CX Lightens the Load | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=13 | issue=15 | pages=37–39 | via=Google Books}}{{rp|37}} Another new feature of the LTE Elite was the ability of its processors to be upgraded and replaced, owing to its use of a socket rather than a soldered-on surface-mount package typical of laptops in the mid-1990s. The laptops' hard drives are also easily removable by the end user with the press of a button and can also be locked into the chassis with a security tab built into the drive's caddy.{{cite book | last=Hackos | first=JoAnn T. | date=2002 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7dFOf7Qnl4QC | title=Content Management for Dynamic Web Delivery | publisher=Wiley | isbn=9780471085867 | via=Google Books | page=111}} The LTE Elite retained the built-in trackball of the LTE Lite.{{cite journal | last=Silverman | first=Dwight | date=December 24, 1995 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/296096844/ | title=Vices spoil Compaq LTE 5100's virtues | journal=Houston Chronicle | page=4 | via=ProQuest}}

The LTE Elite series was manufactured in large part in Compaq's facility in Singapore.{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=May 4, 1994 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A15518971/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Battle for the desktop: DX4 notebooks | journal=PC User | publisher=EMAP Media | issue=234 | pages=37 et seq | via=Gale}} Certain surface-mount PCBs were manufactured in Compaq's factory in Erskine, while final assembly of each LTE Elite was completed in Houston.{{cite journal | date=September 1994 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A16195585/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=How No. 1 Compaq plans to stay that way | journal=Electronic Business Buyer | publisher= Reed Business Information | volume=20 | issue=9 | page=52 et seq | via=Gale}}{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=February 3, 1995 | url=https://techmonitor.ai/technology/compaq_retains_inventec_of_taiwan | title=Compaq Retains Inventec of Taiwan | journal=Computer Business Review | publisher=New Statesman Media Group | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20231010051956/https://techmonitor.ai/technology/compaq_retains_inventec_of_taiwan | archivedate=October 10, 2023}} The LTE Elite line was plauged with manufacturing issues and technical faults, leading to several recalls.{{cite journal | last=Francis | first=Bob | author2=Yvonne L. Lee | date=January 30, 1995 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pDoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8 | title=Compaq slates big changes to gain edge in notebooks | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=17 | issue=5 | page=8 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Fitzergald | first=Michael | author2=Jaikumar Vijayan | date=April 17, 1995 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoIvHQJpsLYC&pg=PA8 | title=Users: Problems with Compaq notebooks linger | journal=Computerworld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=29 | issue=16 | page=8 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Marray | first=Michael | date=December 23, 1994 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/313285412/ | title=Compaq recalls flagship computers as bugs strike | journal=The Independent | page=23 | via=ProQuest}} These factors and more contributed to a proportional shrinkage in Compaq's laptop market share, despite the company's total market share slightly increasing from 1993. In 1994, Toshiba overtook Compaq as the top manufacturer of laptops in the United States, helped along with their Satellite line of laptops.{{cite journal | last=Silverman | first=Dwight | date=August 22, 1995 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/296179361/ | title=New Compaq notebook full of surprises | journal=Houston Chronicle | page=1 | via=ProQuest}}

{{Main|Compaq LTE 5000 series}}

The LTE 5000 series, released in September 1995, was a top-to-bottom redesign. The last in the LTE line,{{cite journal | last=Silverman | first=Dwight | date=April 30, 1997 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/395587644/ | title=Compaq launches its newest Armada | journal=Houston Chronicle | page=C2–C3 | via=ProQuest}}{{rp|C2}}{{cite book | editor-last=Chang | editor-first=Chun-Yen | editor2=Po-Lung Yu | date=2001 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YNzUCgAAQBAJ | title=Made by Taiwan: Booming in the Information Technology Era | publisher=World Scientific Publishing Company | page=175 | isbn=9789814489898 | via=Google Books}} the LTE 5000 series was the debut of Intel's multimedia-oriented Pentium processor in a Compaq laptop. It was also Compaq's first laptop with built-in 16-bit audio synthesis and playback (beyond the PC speaker); hardware acceleration for video; and an infrared port for communicating with PDAs.{{cite journal | last=Bender | first=Maggi | author2=Jim Kane | author3=John McDonough | date=October 1996 | url=https://archive.org/details/ByteVol21Num10/page/n135/ | title=19 Pentium Portables Do Multimedia | journal=Byte | publisher=McGraw-Hill | volume=21 | issue=10 | pages=114–125 | via=ProQuest}}{{rp|124}} An optional MPEG decoder card also allowed the laptop to stream MPEG video in real-time as well as output video to television sets and projectors. Compaq abandoned the ambitious internal AC adapter of the Elite line in favor of the familiar power brick.{{cite journal | date=May 5, 1997 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A19414154/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq launches new flagship family of MMX-based performance notebook computers | journal=EDGE | publisher=EDGE Publishing | volume=8 | page=8 | via=Gale}}{{cite journal | last=Jerome | first=Marty | date=December 1995 | url=https://archive.org/details/pc-computing-magazine-v8i12/page/n86/ | title=Compaq's Multimedia Road Show | journal=PC/Computing | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=8 | issue=12 | page=84 | via=ProQuest}} In its stead was what Compaq termed the MultiBay: a multipurpose, hot-swappable{{cite journal | last=DeVoney | first=Chris | date=April 26, 1996 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QpwJCyLOiSEC&pg=PT50 | title=Power portables | journal=Computerworld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=30 | issue=35 | page=41, 44 | via=Google Books}}{{rp|41}} expansion slot in the front of the machine that allowed users to slot in a floppy drive, a CD-ROM drive (a first for the LTE line), a second hard drive for more disk storage, or a second battery for frequent travelers.{{cite journal | last=Gilooly | first=Brian | date=September 4, 1995 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/229054247/ | title=Pentium Makes Compaq Lineup | journal=September 4, 1995 | publisher=InformationWeek | page=26 | via=ProQuest}} Compaq also offered a full-feature docking station that added several other MultiBay units to the machine, on top of additional PC Cards and an Ethernet port.{{cite journal | last=Mitchell | first=Gabrielle | date=December 1995 | url=https://archive.org/details/pcworld1312unse/page/93/ | title=New Notebooks Pack Desktop Power | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=13 | issue=12 | page=93 | via=the Internet Archive}} The LTE 5000 series also abandoned the monitor-mounted trackballs of older models in favor of an implementation of IBM's keyboard-mounted pointing stick technology.{{cite journal | last=Silverman | first=Dwight | date=May 26, 1996 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/296121251/ | title=Two multimedia notebooks pack a punch | journal=Houston Chronicle | page=5 | via=ProQuest}}

Because of the disappointing performance of the LTE Elite, Compaq hired Inventec of Taiwan to co-design and manufacture in full the LTE 5000 series. The partnership not only hastened development of a successor but also gained Compaq access to Taiwan's more cutting-edge technologies in the field of mobile computer production.{{cite journal | last=Fitzgerald | first=Michael | date=January 23, 1995 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aDzmTlX49OQC&pg=PA6 | title=Compaq tries to regain notebook throne | journal=Computerworld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=29 | issue=4 | page=6 | via=Google Books}} It was the first time in several years that Compaq relied on an outside company to design a portable computer of theirs and was the first machine Compaq had manufactured entirely in Taiwan.{{cite journal | last=Dwight | first=Silverman | date=October 27, 1998 | url=https://houstonchronicle.newsbank.com/doc/news/0ED7B9C993FB0DED?search_terms=%22Workers%2Bmove%2Bto%2Bmake%2Bpotent%2Bportables%22&text=%22Workers%20move%20to%20make%20potent%20portables%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&s_dlid=&s_ecproduct=SUB-FREE&s_ecprodtype=INSTANT&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012/31/2080&s_docsbal=%20&s_subexpires=12/31/2080&s_docstart=&s_docsleft=&s_docsread=&s_username=freeusers&s_accountid=AC0121090716090602279&s_upgradeable=no&pub%255B0%255D=HCBF&pdate=1998-10-27 | title=Workers move to make potent portables | journal=Houston Chronicle | page=1 | via=NewsBank}}{{cite journal | last=DiCarlo | first=Lisa | date=December 4, 1995 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A17816918/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq to refresh Conturas—but also faces backlogs and bugs in new LTE 5000 models | journal=PC Week | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=12 | issue=48 | page=6 | via=Gale}}

The LTE range was marketed as a desktop replacement; with its optional docking stations, it 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.

The LTE/386s was the first LTE offered with an optional docking station, allowing the computer to be used more or less like a desktop computer. The docking station added a pair of full-length, 16-bit ISA slots to the machine and two 5.25-inch drive bays. Compaq shipped their docking station with a VGA monitor and a standard desktop keyboard.{{rp|141}} The docking station connected to the back of the LTE/386s via a new specialized connector on the rear of the laptop.{{cite journal | last=Jones | first=Mitt | date=December 25, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u2cfcECC1dwC&pg=PP35 | title=Compaq's LTE 386s/20: Performance Worth the Price | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=9 | issue=22 | pages=33–34 | via=Google Books}} Compaq also sold an internal CD-ROM adapter for the LTE/386s that fits into its modem expansion slot, allowing the computer to be used with an optional external CD-ROM drive, making it one of the first laptops to natively support CD-ROM.{{rp|1}}

Compaq introduced four new docking stations for the LTE Elite line: the SmartStation, the MiniStation/EN, the MiniStation/TR, and the OptiByte Media Station.{{rp|37, 39}} The SmartStation was the second-most-expensive and feature-packed; like Apple's Duo Dock, the SmartStation loaded the LTE Elite into a rectangular, VCR-like slot, allowing the laptop to be used like a desktop computer, with an external monitor perched on top of the docking station. The SmartStation added two 5.25-inch drive bays, two ISA slots for IBM PC–compatible expansion cards, SCSI-2 ports for parallel peripherals and external storage, and Ethernet ports for networking. The MiniStation/EN and MiniStation/TR meanwhile were simple port replicators adding one of each of the aforementioned SCSI-2 ports and networking ports. The MiniStation/EN provided a Ethernet port, while the MiniStation/TR provided a Token Ring port. The OptiByte Media Station, meanwhile, was the most expensive but added a 16-bit sound card, a double-speed CD-ROM drive and built-in speakers, as well as providing a free ISA slot.{{rp|39}} This added sound synthesis capability to an otherwise silent laptop (barring the internal PC speaker). The OptiByte Media Station was designed and manufactured by AccuMem Systems and resold by Compaq.{{rp|39}}

The LTE was the first commercially successful IBM PC–compatible notebook computer and helped jump-start the burgeoning notebook industry. Compaq was helped in no small part by their decision to incorporate both a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive and a conventional spinning hard disk drives on higher-end models—data storage mediums that the majority of customers using desktop computers had built their entire computing ecosystem around by that point in 1989.{{cite journal | last=Bridges | first=Linda | date=March 1, 1999 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A53975770/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Making a Difference | journal=eWeek | publisher=Ziff-Davis | page=76 | via=Gale}} From its introduction in 1989 to its discontiuation in 1997, Compaq sold over two million units of the entire LTE lineup, generating over US$1.5 billion in revenue for the company.{{cite book | date=December 5, 2003 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vKMgluh13VAC&dq=compaq+lte&pg=PA43 | title=Nanotechnology Research and Development: The Biggest Little Thing in Texas: Field Hearing Before the Committee on Science, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session | volume=4 | publisher=United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology | page=43 | isbn=9780160713941 | via=Google Books}} The company sold the first 100,000 units of the LTE in December 1990.{{cite journal | last=Venditto | first=Gus | date=December 11, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZxkO0PpksUC&pg=PT82 | title=Compaq Provides Lifetime Warranty on LTE Cases | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=9 | issue=21 | pages=69–71 | via=Google Books}}{{rp|71}} The LTE Lite in particular sold very well for Compaq,{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=March 7, 1994 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/398393407/ | title=Compaq Computer Corp.: Five Notebook Computers Due to Be Unveiled Today | journal=The Wall Street Journal | publisher=Dow Jones & Company | page=B6 | via=ProQuest}} Citizen manufacturing between 20,000 and 25,000 LTE Lite units each month between 1992 and 1993.

The unexpected success of the LTE line was a major factor in the development of notebook computers at both Apple and IBM.{{cite book | chapter=Apple PowerBook: Design Quality and Time to Market | last=Thomke | first=Stefan H. | date=2007 | chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/managingproducts0000thom/page/59/ | title=Managing Product and Service Department: Text and Cases | publisher=McGraw-Hill/Irwin | pages=59–82 | isbn=9780073023014 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|59}}{{rp|75}} Apple released their first laptop, the Macintosh Portable, in September 1989—a little over a month before the LTE debuted. While in development longer than the LTE and with a far larger sales backlog, the LTE outperformed the Macintosh Portable in the marketplace by an order of magnitude due to customer preference for the LTE's smaller footprint and lower weight.{{rp|59}} In response, Apple developed what would become the PowerBook in 1990.{{rp|60}} Likewise, the LTE also spurred IBM to rush the development of a smaller laptop to compete with Compaq. This initiative eventually bore the PS/2 Model L40 SX in 1991—a predecessor to the ThinkPad line.{{cite book | last=Dell | first=Deborah A. | date=2000 | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780672317569/page/75/ | title=ThinkPad: A Different Shade of Blue | publisher=Sams Publishing | pages=75–78 | isbn=9780672317569 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|75}}

The first generation of LTE received glowing praise in the computing press, where multiple reviewers dubbed the machines breakthroughs in mobile computing.{{rp|56}}{{cite journal | last=Knorr | first=Eric | date=December 1989 | url=https://archive.org/details/pcworld712unse/page/80/ | title=Compaq Lightens Up | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=7 | issue=12 | pages=80–82 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|81}}{{rp|35}} Mitt Jones of PC Magazine called the LTE and LTE/286, "without reservation, the most exciting and usable laptops on the market", albeit expensive at launch.{{rp|35}} Of the 80C86-based LTE, Jones wrote called the machine "somewhat miraculous ... In the same way the UltraLite seemed impossible for its size [in 1988], the LTE seems impossible now".{{cite journal | last=Jones | first=Mitt | date=March 13, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AlnQ5OJS6XgC&pg=PT281 | title=Compaq Computer Corp.: Compaq LTE | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=9 | issue=3 | page=294 | via=Google Books}} Fredric Burke of the same publication, reviewing the LTE/286 a year after its release, called it "the class act in its field", praising its expandability, the legibility of the LCD, and the performance of the battery.{{rp|112, 125}} Both PC Magazine and InfoWorld rated the LTE/386s the fastest 386-class notebook those magazines had reviewed up to that point in early 1991.{{cite journal | last=Lyons | first=Patrick | date=January 28, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=flAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA77 | title=LTE 386s/20 Is Small and Powerful | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=13 | issue=4 | pages=77–78 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Pastrick | first=Greg | date=March 12, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GF_6VuE4h2MC&pg=PT244 | title=Compaq Computer Corp.: Compaq LTE 386s/20 Model 30 | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=10 | issue=5 | pages=117–122 | via=Google Books}}{{rp|117}}

Critics rated the initial LTE Lites among the top-performing 386 laptops in terms of graphics performance and among the top five of 386 laptops in terms of rendering graphics within Windows.{{cite journal | last=Howard | first=Bill | date=August 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hqQJaNzN9IcC&pg=PA165 | title=What the Numbers Mean: Portable PCs | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=11 | issue=14 | pages=165 | via=Google Books}} The battery life of these machines received mixed assessments, however,{{cite journal | last=Caton | first=Michael | date=February 10, 1992 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A11895893/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq muscles into 386SL turf with speedy LTE Lite/25 | journal=PC Week | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=9 | issue=6 | page=1 | via=Gale OneFile}} as did the feeling of the keyboard switches and the quality of the passive-matrix LCDs. Reviewers preferred the active-matrix LCDs of the later LTE Lites, which they gave high marks for their greater viewing angles and sharpness.

Despite the LTE Elite's technical issues, the lineup received generally positive reviews from the technology press,{{cite journal | last=Farrance | first=Rex | date=October 1994 | url=https://archive.org/details/pc_world-1994_10/page/182/ | title=The Top 20 Mobile PCs | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=12 | issue=10 | pages=182–183 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|182}} with PC World writing that the LTE Elites "push[ed] beyond the basic requirements of mobile computing" and "move[d] the mobile computing standard forward".{{cite journal | last=Abernathy | first=Joe | date=August 1994 | url=https://archive.org/details/pc_world-1994_08/page/70/ | title=Compaq's First-Class Companion | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=12 | issue=8 | page=70 | via=the Internet Archive}} Critics generally appreciated the convenience of the integrated AC adapter,{{cite journal | last=Silverman | first=Dwight | date=August 1, 1994 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-compaq-elite-i/133135428/ | title=Compaq Elite is great but too costly | journal=Austin American-Statesman | page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-compaq-lte-is/133135446/ C5] | via=Newspapers.com}}{{rp|C5}}{{cite journal | last=McWilliams | first=Peter | author-link=Peter McWilliams | date=September 26, 1994 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-compaq-lte-elite-h/133135383/ | title=Compaq LTE Elite has some wonderful features, few drawbacks | journal=Winston-Salem Journal | page=18 | via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=May 4, 1994 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A15518977/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq LTE Elite 4/40CX: DX2/DX4 notebooks | journal=PC User | publisher=EMAP Media | issue=234 | page=44 | via=Gale}}{{cite journal | last=Howlett | first=Dennis | date=July 12, 1995 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A17624557/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Second look: Compaq LTE Elite | journal=PC User | publisher=EMAP Media | issue=263 | page=44 | via=Gale}} with PC Week writing that "the convenience of carrying just the notebook and small power cord is instantly apparent ... the Elite is more convenient to carry than some of the so-called subnotebooks". Multiple reviewers also judged the battery life of the LTE Elite an improvement over the LTE Lite.{{cite journal | last=Farrance | first=Rex | date=October 1994 | url=https://archive.org/details/pc_world-1994_10/page/182/ | title=The Top 20 PCs: Compaq LTE Elite | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=12 | issue=10 | pages=178 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|C5}} Some considered the LTE Elite too expensive on launch.{{cite journal | last=Jerome | first=Marty | date=November 1994 | url=https://archive.org/details/pc-computing-magazine-v7i11/page/n73/ | title=Kiss Your Power Brick Good-Bye | journal=PC/Computing | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=7 | issue=11 | page=70 | via=the Internet Archive}}

The LTE 5000 series' redesigned chassis and added multimedia capabilities received high marks.{{cite journal | last=Grimes | first=Brad | date=April 1996 | url=https://archive.org/details/pcworld144unse_0/page/198/ | title=Notebook Snapshots: Compaq LTE 5100 | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=14 | issue=4 | page=198 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{cite journal | last=Brown | first=Bruce | date=August 1996 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZV8jJvJv-zYC&pg=PA153 | title=Compaq LTE 5300 | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=15 | issue=14 | page=151 | via=Google Books}}{{cite journal | last=Farrance | first=Rex | date=April 1997 | url=https://archive.org/details/pcworld154unse_0/page/208/ | title=Compaq LTE 5400 | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=15 | issue=4 | page=208 | via=the Internet Archive}} Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle dubbed the machines "an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to computer design [that] virtually bludgeons the competition with a mass of features". Many reviewers found the active-matrix LCDs of the higher-end models uncharacteristically dim,{{cite journal | last=Grimes | first=Brad | date=December 1996 | url=https://archive.org/details/pcworld1412unse_0/page/245/ | title=Compaq LTE 5250 | journal=PC World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=14 | issue=12 | page=245, 247 | via=the Internet Archive}} due to Compaq coating their polarizers with a dark film intended to increase contrast when looked at straight-on while reducing visibility from far angles.{{cite journal | last=Silverman | first=Dwight | date=December 24, 1995 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/296096844/ | title=Vices spoil Compaq LTE 5100's virtues | journal=Houston Chronicle | page=4 | via=ProQuest}} Compaq replaced the backlight inverter of successor models with a higher-voltage unit in response to this criticism.{{cite journal | last=DiCarlo | first=Lisa | date=January 29, 1996 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A17881125/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Compaq's problematic LTE 5000 notebook is still bugging users | journal=PC Week | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=13 | issue=4 | page=1 et seq | via=Gale}}

{{main|Compaq Armada}}

Compaq began retiring the LTE line with the 5000 series after introducing the Armada line in 1996. The final LTE 5000 models rolled off the line in the middle of June 1997. The Armada series marked the return of Compaq manufacturing their own laptops; following the end of the LTE 5000 series, Compaq severed ties with Inventec.{{cite journal | last=DiCarlo | first=Lisa | date=September 9, 1996 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A18665923/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=U.S. firms find promise, pitfalls in Taiwan | journal=PC Week | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=13 | issue=36 | page=18 | via=Gale}}

{{See also|Compaq LTE (1st generation)|Compaq LTE Lite|Compaq LTE Elite|Compaq LTE 5000 series}}

{{Notelist|colwidth=45em}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961225083504/http://www.compaq.com/productinfo/notebooks/lte5000.html|date=December 25, 1996|title=Official website}}

{{Compaq}}

LTE

Category:Computer-related introductions in 1989

Category:Business laptops

Category:Citizen Watch