Background and identification
Compaq was a computer hardware and software company founded in 1982. Compaq produced some of the first IBM PC-compatible computers. It was also the first company to legally reverse engineer an IBM personal computer. During the 1990s, Compaq became one of the largest suppliers of personal computer systems. HP bought Compaq in 2002 and continued to use it until 2013 for entry-level personal computer systems. Compaq is a combination of the words "Compatibility and Quality".
Compaq introduced its first IMB PC-compatible desktop computer, the Compaq Deskpro 386, in August 1988. It was capable of running all the software that could run on an IBM personal computer. Compaq also released its first IMB PC-compatible laptop in 1987.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Compaq brand struggled with management reorganization and falling sales. In 1999, Compaq collaborated with Microsoft to create a line of small, Web-based computer systems called MSN Companions. Compaq signed a merger agreement with Hewlett-Packard in 2002. Most Compaq products were rebranded with the HP emblem, which includes "HP" in lowercase letters inside a circle.
In 2007, HP announced a new logo for the Compaq division, which included the name "Compaq" under a letter "C" with an accented tail, all in red type. Originally, the Compaq name was used by HP for all professional and affordable laptops, but the HP Compaq B series became HP's mid-range professional, HP ProBook became HP's entry-level professional, and HP EliteBook became the top of the line professional laptop.