Compaq SLT was a line of

laptop computers A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. Laptops typically have a clam shell form factor with the screen mounted on the inside of the upper li ...

made by

Compaq Compaq Computer Corporation (sometimes abbreviated to CQ prior to a 2007 rebranding) was an American information technology company founded in 1982 that developed, sold, and supported computers and related products and services. Compaq produced ...

. The SLT series was the successor to the Portable III and the predecessor to the more well known

Compaq LTE Compaq LTE was a line of laptop computers made by Compaq, introduced in 1989. The first models, Compaq LTE and Compaq LTE 286, were among the first computers to be close to the size of a paper notebook, spurring the use of the term "notebook" to de ...

. Two models were produced in the SLT series. The first model, named SLT/286, released on October 17, 1988, is considered to be one of the most notable units in laptop history due to its battery life and superior performance compared to competing models. It is also notable for being Compaq’s first laptop computer. The SLT/286 had a 12 MHz Harris or Intel 80C286 processor (both brands were used throughout the SLT/286’s production) and a grayscale (up to 8 shades) backlit

VGA Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a video display controller and accompanying de facto graphics standard, first introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of computers in 1987, which became ubiquitous in the PC industry within three years. The term can now ...

LCD screen, the very first laptop with this feature. The price started at $5,399 for the base-model.Compaq Portable SLT/286
/ref> The second model, the SLT 386s/20, was released in 1990, and featured a

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, which allowed two standard

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boards to be used with the SLT. The docking station retailed for $999.

Models

Battery life

Compaq's main marketing message for the SLT range was its battery life, up to 3-hours minimum.

mentioned this feature in almost all of the SLT literature. Moreover,

released an external battery charger to enable the business user to charge up multiple batteries.

Clones

Victor Technologies Grid 386PX (BV30E01A)

Victor Technologies offered a clone of the SLT/386 model, model

Grid Grid, The Grid, or GRID may refer to: Common usage * Cattle grid or stock grid, a type of obstacle is used to prevent livestock from crossing the road * Grid reference, used to define a location on a map Arts, entertainment, and media * News g ...

386PX (BV30E01A). Whilst the Grid 386PX looks slightly different, it was unclear whether the Grid 386PX was a true clone or an alternative OEM product. Acer also offered a clone, known as the AnyWare 1100LX.

References

SLT SLT Computer-related introductions in 1988 Articles containing video clips {{microcompu-stub