ScuzzBlog: Diaries May 2018
Entry 5th May 2018: Post: 1
Compaq Portable 386 - Spot the difference
Carrying on with the luggable portable theme I feature today the
range of Compaq Portable. I have always been kinda interested in
the portable machines, basically cus I find the cases that much
more fascinating. The Amiga 1200 is such an inspirational machine
and manages to combine all the functionality of a working computer
in a sleek design complete with keyboard, and yet integrates all
the other functionality without destroying the base concept.
PCs on the other hand with their tin boxes and plug in keyboard
are crude and uninspiring. However, in the early years before the
dreaded laptop, tablet and mobile phone, some effort was made
to produce interesting cases for your base PCs. And that is why
I like these units.
Doubt anyone recalls this but as a kid there use to be these
wooden games where you basically built a three dimensional
jigsaw to form a finished item.. say a car for instance. The bits
would be a nightmare to build and take for ages but keep you busy
for hours. Some guys use to speed test putting the things together.
Whenever I try to get into one of these luggables I am always
reminded of my days mucking around with three dimension jigsaws.
I really don't mind the cryptic way these machines were opened up.
The Compaq really is the king of the hill in such matters. Even
the taking apart when inside the case is a series of ever more
revealing parts to get at the inner sanctum. For instance all
the shielding is broken up into sections and the hard drive and
floppy can slide out once you work out which screw to remove.
Also you don't need to remove all screws as they are slotted. Its
like the designer wanted you to enjoy working out how to open the
computer as an extension of the luggable theme.
Not just boxes that look like old projectors, but slowly peel
open the shell and guess what it becomes. Great fun. And like I
say.. shame PC tin boxes are so boring. Real boring.
I have three of the Compaq III style of computers. I show here all
of them but first feature the Portable 386.
Compaq Portable 386 made in the USA around 1987
Has 92 keys and 12 function keys
Uses the Intel 80386 running at a whopping 20 MHz
RAM is 2 MB and 10 MB with 16 Kb ROM
The screen is a monochrome orange colour
The OS is MS-DOS 3.3.
And sadly its a Compaq and without the disks is dead in the water.
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