With the prediction that sales of battery laptops will outstrip mains-powered devices by two to one in 1989, Compaq Computer Corp today announces a 12MHz CMOS 80286-based battery powered laptop computer of its own design. The Compaq SLT/286 comes in two models, the Model 20 and the Model 40; both include a liquid crystal, supertwist […]
With the prediction that sales of battery laptops will outstrip mains-powered devices by two to one in 1989, Compaq Computer Corp today announces a 12MHz CMOS 80286-based battery powered laptop computer of its own design. The Compaq SLT/286 comes in two models, the Model 20 and the Model 40; both include a liquid crystal, supertwist VGA display with eight shades of grey, 29mS average access 20Mb or 40Mb 3.5 Winchesters from Conner Peripherals Inc, 3.5 1.44Mb floppy drive, and an 82-key removable keyboard, running MS-DOS and OS/2. Internally installed options include 1Mb memory boards to extend the memory beyond the standard 640Kb up to a maximum of 3.6Mb; an asynchronous communications board and an 80C287 co-processor. An optional desktop expansion base accommodates two 8/16-bit slots, and an optional external storage module houses a 5.25 floppy drive or a 40Mb tape back-up unit. The SLT/286 has an internal Nickel Cadmium battery pack that provides three hours of battery life and additional battery packs are available; battery time can be extended by using an AC adapter that comes with the system. The laptop weighs 14 lbs and measures just over 4 high, by 13.5 wide, by 8.5 deep – fits an airline tray, says Compaq. Limited ships have begun but machines will not be fully available until the end of the year; the Model 20 costs UKP3,340 and the Model 40 costs UKP3,900.
