Compaq Deskpro 486

The Deskpro 486 family appeared in multiple configurations using processors such as the Intel 486SX and 486DX. A 486DX included an on-chip floating-point unit, while the lower-cost 486SX did not.

These systems commonly ran MS-DOS and could use Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.1, depending on memory and configuration. They predated Windows 95, although suitably equipped machines could sometimes run it.

Expansion depends on the specific Deskpro chassis, but machines from this family commonly provide ISA slots for sound cards, network adapters and other peripherals. Some models also used Compaq-specific drive rails or internal layouts, which matters when restoring one.

A Deskpro with a 486DX, VGA graphics and an ISA sound card can handle many games from the early 1990s. Its business-oriented hardware is less standardized for gaming than a custom-built DOS PC, so sound-card and cache configuration can strongly affect the experience.