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Compaq Contura

3/20 · 1992–1994 · laptop

Specifications

Cpu: Intel 386SL, 20 MHz
Ram: max: 10 MB via expansion · base: 2 MB (non-removable)
Ports: Serial · Parallel · External VGA out · PS/2 keyboard/mouse · Docking connector (proprietary)
Battery: Removable NiMH pack, roughly 2-3 hours depending on display
Display: 9.5" monochrome VGA passive-matrix LCD, 640x480
Storage: base: 40 MB hard drive · options: 84 MB hard drive
Weight: 3.4 kg
Os Support: latest: Windows 95 (unofficial, community-installed) · shipped: MS-DOS 5.0 / Windows 3.1
Release Price: $1,892

Variants

Revisions

Contura 3/253/251992, 25 MHz 386SL, 4 MB RAM, 80 MB or 120 MB drive, ~$2,074

Contura 3/25c3/25c1992, 25 MHz 386SL, color passive-matrix VGA, 120 MB drive, 3.6 kg, $2,000-2,500

Contura 4/254/251993, 25 MHz 486SL, monochrome, color, or active-matrix color display options

Contura Aero 4/25Aero 4/251994, subnotebook spinoff, 25 MHz 486SX, expandable to 8-12 MB RAM, passive matrix grayscale, 84-250 MB drive options

Upgrade paths

RAM

Up to 10 MB via proprietary Compaq memory expansion module · Base 2 MB is soldered; the remaining capacity comes from a Compaq-specific expansion card, not a generic SIMM.

varies

MODERATE

storage

84 MB internal IDE hard drive (factory option on the 3/20) · Drive bay accepts period 2.5" IDE drives; capacity was largely fixed per model at the factory.

MODERATE

battery

Same removable NiMH pack, no higher-capacity official option · Battery bay is user-accessible without tools; original NiMH cells are long dead today, with hobbyist rebuilds being the common fix.

EASY