---
title: Compaq Portable 386
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1987'
cpus:
- Intel 80386
params:
  name: Portable 386
  image: /media/museum/photos/compaq_portable386_running_s1.jpg
  company: /companies/compaq
  company_name: Compaq
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Portable 386
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Compaq
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: October 1987
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Typewriter type 92 keys with 12 function keys and numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 80386
  - label: SPEED
    value: 20 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Socket for an Intel 80387 math coprocessor
  - label: RAM
    value: 2 MB up to 10 MB
  - label: ROM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 or 80 columns x 25 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: Up to 640 x 400 pixels - CGA resolution (640x200) in DOS mode
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome orange
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 41 (W) x 19.2 (D) x 24.8 (H) cm / 11 kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Serial, Parallel, Video RGB, expansion bus
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 1 x 1.2 MB FDD, 40 or 100 MB HDD
  - label: OS
    value: MS-DOS 3.3
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit - No battery
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Expansion box with two IBM-AT card slots
  - label: PRICE
    value: From $12,000 to $14,000
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - links
  - docs
  forum_thread: 1038
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: The Portable 386 is running GEM OS and its graphical user interface.
    image: /media/museum/photos/compaq_portableiii_running_s1.jpg
  - title: SAME CASING
    subtitle: ''
    text: Only the Compaq logos allow to distinguish a closed Portable III from a Portable 386.
    image: /media/museum/photos/compaq_portableiii_twosystems_s1.jpg
  - title: TOP VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/compaq_portable386_topview_s1.jpg
  - title: MOTHERBOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Although the mainboard was the same size and had same connectors as the Portable III, the design was radically different.

      **(1)** Intel 80386-20 and socket for a 80387 math coprocessor\
      **(2)** 2 x 1 MB RAM modules. Up to 4 MB RAM could be installed.

      See the Compaq III's motherboard picture for more information.
    image: /media/museum/photos/compaq_portable386_mainboard_s1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: US ADVERT NOV. 1987
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Advert said:\
      Compaq has long been recognized as the world leader in both 80386 technology and portable computing. Si it's not surprising that we would combine the two.\
      But no one expected the new Compaq Portable 386 to run at 20 MHz. And no one even dreamed that it would offer 100 MB of storage, disk caching, and much, much more...
    image: /media/museum/pubs/compaq_portable386_pub_1.jpg
  links:
  - title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
    url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
    text: ''
  docs:
  - title: MAINTENACE & SERVICE GUIDE
    url: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual&lang=en&cc=us&docIndexId=179111&taskId=101&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=96333
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif
    text: |-
      [**MAINTENACE & SERVICE GUIDE**](http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual&lang=en&cc=us&docIndexId=179111&taskId=101&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=96333)written by Compaq

       compiled/archived by Compaq\
       type of document : PDF\
       source : [Compaq Support Center](http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?lang=fr&cc=fr&taskId=135&prodClassId=-1&contentType=SupportManual&docIndexId=179821&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=96333)
  related:
  - /museum/compaq-portable
  - /museum/compaq-portable-ii
  - /museum/compaq-portable-iii
  oc_id: 1065
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230601075306/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1065
    date: '2023-06-01'
---

Apart from the Compaq logo, the Compaq Portable 386 was externally identical to the [Portable III](/museum/compaq-portable-iii/), but the inside was a true revolution in the portable computers field of the time. Its Intel 386-20 processor offered more speed, power and capabilities than ever before.

About the Portable 386, PC Magazine said in its review:\
*Its the hottest thing you can pick up with a handle. At 20 MHz, it outperforms everything else on the market but its deskbound sibling . Yet it's rugged enough for on-the-go computing, takes standard PC cards in an elegantly engineered span-on expansion chassis, and weighs less than 20 pounds. Some folks may not like the styling, but everyone loves the way it performs.*

The portable 386 and Portable III had great success around the world, as well as the desktop versions, Compaq Deskpro 286-12 and 386/20. At about the same time as the 386 launch, Compaq announced having manufactured its 1- millionth personal computer.

Later, this robust machine was upgraded by third companies up to 486/80 CPU, 10 MB RAM and 9 GB hard-disk.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>