Compaq ProLinea
ProLinea 4/66
DeveloperCompaq
TypeDesktop computer
Release dateJune 1992 (1992-06)
Discontinued1996 (1996)
CPU

The ProLinea was a line of budget desktop computers released by Compaq from 1992 to 1996. All the machines in the line were x86-based IBM PC–compatible systems, ranging from the i386SX to Pentiums.[1][2] The ProLinea was succeeded by the Presario line in 1993, although the two sold concurrently for a while.[3][2]

Release and price war

The ProLinea was notorious for touching off a fierce price war in the personal computer market from its launch in June 1992.[4][5] Under a directive from Compaq's recent CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer, the company originally sold lower-end models in the range for under US$900—a price that was virtually unheard of for brand-new desktops from a major computer vendor.[6][7] Compaq's largest competitors—including IBM, Apple, DEC, and Dell—immediately followed suit with budget, no-frills desktops of their own; IBM for example released the PS/ValuePoint for under $1,000.[8][9][10] Smaller manufacturers meanwhile struggled to compete against the major players in this price war, leading to dozens leaving the market or going bankrupt and dissolving.[11]

Despite numerous parts shortages, Compaq sold nearly 400,000 units from the ProLinea line through to the end of 1992, helping the company come off its financial turmoil since the ouster of Compaq's original CEO, Rod Canion, in 1991.[12][2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Zittle, Tim; Siobahn Nash (October 5, 1992). "Low-cost ProLinea offers solid quality". InfoWorld. IDG Publications. 14 (40): 80 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c "Compaq to unveil revamped ProLinea". San Francisco Examiner: B6. February 19, 1995 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ "Compaq Computer Corp.: Early Presario sales outstrip last year's ProLinea launch". The Wall Street Journal: B10. October 27, 1993 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ Sugawara, Sara; John Burgess (September 4, 1993). "Computer Giant Drawn into Price Wars". The Washington Post: B1. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. ProQuest 307664355.
  5. ^ McWilliams, Gary; Joann S. Lublin (April 19, 1999). "Compaq Ousts Pfeiffer From CEO Post". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company: A3 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ Boisseau, Boisseau (June 15, 1992). "New Compaq lines target consumers". Houston Chronicle: 1 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ "Compaq price cuts may spur PC warfare". Chicago Tribune: 3. June 16, 1992 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ Hooper, Laurence (September 14, 1992). "IBM Signals Delay Affecting Low-Cost Line". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company: B1 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ "Apple, Digital Escalate Computer Price War in U.S., Japan". The Washington Post: C1. October 20, 1992 – via ProQuest.
  10. ^ Lewis, Peter H. (July 7, 1992). "Making Choices in the Price War". The New York Times: C7. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Howard, Bill (September 28, 1992). "PC Vendor Out of Business?". PC Magazine. Ziff-Davis. 12 (16): 104 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ Schneidawind, John (September 24, 1992). "Compaq's grand slam". USA Today. Gannett Publishing: 1B – via ProQuest.
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