Compaq's Presario line, absorbed into HP in 2002, built a reputation for affordable desktops and laptops suited to home and small-office users. Today the Presario legacy informs HP's entry-level offerings - prioritize processor, storage, and warranty when choosing one.
The iPAQ GPS sleeve was a snap-on accessory that turned Compaq/HP iPAQ Pocket PCs into portable navigation devices. It represents a modular approach to mobile features that preceded today's smartphone-integrated GPS.
Compaq legacy and refurbished laptops still represent a value option for budget buyers. Learn where to find them, weigh new vs. refurbished trade-offs, and check warranties and specs before buying.
Compaq evolved from proprietary desktop systems into portable laptops under HP ownership. The shift improved compatibility and portability but introduced the industry trade-off between upgradeability and thin designs.
A personal look back at a reliable Compaq laptop bought in 2000 - why durability and practical performance mattered for a grad student then, and why those qualities still matter now.
Compaq, founded in 1982, helped establish the IBM-compatible PC market with portable systems in the 1980s and consumer lines in the 1990s before merging into Hewlett-Packard in 2002.