The LTE is a line of notebook-sized laptops manufactured by Compaq Computer Corporation, introduced in 1989 and discontinued in 1997. It was the first notebook computer sold by Compaq and the first commercially successful notebook that was compatible with the IBM PC.
Development of the LTE line began in 1986; the company conceived it as their first attempt at a truly lightweight portable computer, aiming to replace their Portable and SLT lines. The first two models in the LTE line—the LTE and LTE/286—competed with other notebook computers such as NEC's UltraLite and Zenith's MinisPort. However, whereas the UltraLite and MinisPort failed to gain much uptake due to their novel but nonstandard data storage technologies, the LTE succeeded on account of its use of the conventional floppy drive and spinning hard drive, allowing users to transfer data to and from their desktop computers without any hassle. As well, Compaq began offering docking stations with the release of the LTE/386s in 1990, providing performance comparable to then-current desktop machines.
The first LTEs received glowing praise among technology reviewers, who saw it as a revolution in mobile computing. It was a direct influence on both Apple and IBM for the development of their own notebook computers. The first generation of LTE gave way to succeeding lines, including the LTE Lite in 1992, the LTE Elite in 1994, and the LTE 5000 series in 1995, all of which received mostly positive reviews. Compaq sold over two million units across the LTE's lifespan. They succeeded it with the Armada line in 1997.
Background[]
[edit] 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. 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.
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. In terms of footprint, these notebooks measured roughly the size of a sheet of ANSI Letter paper—8.5 by 11 inches (215.9 by 279.4 mm)—making them easy to slip into an average-sized briefcase, and were relatively lightweight, making them easy to lift with one hand. The first notebook on the market compatible with the IBM PC was NEC's UltraLite in 1988. Weighing in at 4.4 pounds (2.0 kg), 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.
Development and specifications[]
First generation[]
The LTE and LTE/286, released in October 1989, were true notebooks, each occupying exactly the footprint of ANSI Letter paper while measuring 1.9 inches (48 mm) thick. 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. 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 0.75 inches (19 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. 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.