Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P, Exidy Sorcerer, Apple II+, PET/CBM 3032, TRS 80 Model 1, Atari 400, Osborne 1a, System 80/Video Genie/PMC 80, IBM PC, ZX 81, TRS-80 Colour Computer 1, Vic 20, Epson HX 20, BBC B, ZX Spectrum, Kaypro II, Eaca Colour Genie, RX 8800, Apple IIe, Apple Lisa 2, Atari 800XL, TRS-80 Model 100 and NEC 8201a, Commodore  64, Commodore 64C, Commodore  SX-64, Spectravideo 318, Epson QX-10, IBM XT, Mattel  Aquarius, TRS-80 Model 4, Sinclair QL, IBM AT, Apple Macintosh, Kaypro 4, Telecom Computerphone, Atari 130XE, Spectravideo 728 (MSX), Apple IIGS, Amiga 500, Atari 1040ST, IBM PS/2 30-286, Compaq SLT/286, IBM PS/2 70, Apple Mac SE/30, Apple Mac Classic II, Apple Mac Powerbook 145B, Acorn A4000, Generic 386-DX 40

Compaq SLT/286

When it comes to chic and class, no other micro in my collection can compare to this little Compaq SLT/286 laptop. When stepping out in 1988 it epitomized the ultimate in portable pizzazz. It can fold itself neatly away in a carryable package, but can still throw its detachable keyboard on the desk if needs be. Packing a 12 MHz 286 chip, 20 MB hard drive and 640K RAM its stylish outfit is made complete by Monochrome VGA graphics and 3.5 inch 1.44 MB drive.

Now compared to today's wafer thin anorexic models, this Compaq weighing in at a hefty 6.4 Kilograms and standing a full 21.6 centimeters thick with the lid down would be considered positively beefy. In its day though it was thought of as lean!

This unit came with manuals and carry bag but was in a rather sad state. It had spent many years sleeping rough amongst mouse droppings and dust balls in a windswept carport. However, a good clean and some TLC saw it spring back to life.

Back to life yes, but not quite as it was. Its custom clock chip and soldered-in CMOS battery had long since expired, which meant it forgot the time and day when it started. A side affect of this memory loss, was that it was unable to recognise its 3.5 inch drive for the high-density model it is, therefore couldn't use it. However a modification to the internal battery fixed this issue. The computer now works perfectly

A classic example of what old laptops used to be like.

Want to know more about this micro? Google is your friend.

This page last edited 7th December, 2009

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