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The Compaq Contura Aero was popularized as a line of computer handhelds produced by Compaq Computer Corporation. It was succeeded by the iPAQ line. The Aero name was first used for small sub-notebooks computers that Compaq produced in the mid-90's, the Contura Aero 4/25 and 4/33c.

Early Subnotebook

The Compaq Contura Aero 4/25 and 4/33c were among the earliest subnotebook computers that acted as a precursor to netbooks. They were released in 1994 and originally ran MS-DOS and Windows 3.1. They were also able to run Windows 95 after its release in 1995. They were part of Compaq's Contura line of laptop computers but were smaller.

4/25

• i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 25MHz
• passive matrix gray scale VGA display, 16 shades (640x480) high resolution, 64 shades (320x200) low resolution, color capable when using an external VGA monitor.
• 4MB built-in memory, expandable to a maximum of 8MB or 12MB using an optional 4MB or 8MB Compaq branded module, or 20MB using a third party 16MB module.
• 256KB video memory
• 84MB, 170MB or 250MB hard disk drive
• 1 PCMCIA slot (Type II)
• 1 ECP/EPP 1.9 capable parallel port
• 1 RS-232 serial port (16550 UART)
• 1.5 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (3.8 x 26 x 19 cm)

4/33c

• i486SX-S (SL enhanced 486SX) running at 33MHz
• passive matrix color VGA display, 16 colors (640x480) high resolution, 256 colors (320x200) low resolution
• 4MB built-in memory, expandable to a maximum of 8MB or 12MB using an optional 4MB or 8MB Compaq branded module, or 20MB using a third party 16MB module.
• 256KB video memory
• 84MB, 170MB or 250MB hard disk drive
• 1 PCMCIA slot (Type II)
• 1 ECP/EPP 1.9 capable parallel port
• 1 RS-232 serial port (16550 UART)
• 1.7 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches (4.3 x 26 x 19 cm)

Notebook Computer series

Other laptops in the Contura series include the 3/20, 3/25, 3/25c, 400, 400C, 400CX, 410C, 410CX, 420C, 420CX, 430C, 430CX. These were not ultra-portable subnotebook computers. The "X" designation denoted an active matrix screen. These laptops do not have the "Aero" designation.

3/20

• 386SL running at 20MHz
• VGA monochrome display
• 2MB of RAM
• 40MB or 84MB of hard disk
• External trackball that attached to the side of the laptop

3/25

• 386SL running at 25MHz
• VGA monochrome display
• 4MB of RAM
• 60MB or 120MB of hard disk
• External trackball that attached to the side of the laptop

List of Aero handhelds

• Compaq Aero 1500 Palm-size PC
• Compaq Aero 2100 Color Palm-size PC
• Compaq Aero 8000 Handheld PC Pro

This line of palm-sized PCs from Compaq was first succeeded by the Compaq C-Series and then by the Aero 1550 Pocket PC. The line of handheld devices starting from the Aero 1550 Pocket PC were finally moulded into the iPAQ line of handheld devices, which is currently handled by Hewlett-Packard, after their acquisition of Compaq.

References

1. Compaq Aero FAQ
2. Aero 1500 Quickspecs
3. Aero 2100 Quickspecs
4. Aero 8000 Quickspecs
5. C-Series Quickspecs
6. Aero 1550 Quickspecs

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