State of the Art

1989
Company press release: "Compaq Computer Corporation today introduced the world's most powerful and expandable desktop personal computer, the 33-MHz COMPAQ DESKPRO."

Model: Deskpro 386/33
Processor: 33MHz Intel 386
Memory: 2MB RAM
Hard drive: 84 MB
CD-ROM: What's a CD-ROM?
Diskette drive: Takes five-and-a-quarter-inch floppies
Operating system: MS-DOS, MS/386
Mouse: If you want one of those, buy a Mac
Cost: $10,499-$17,000
Company CEO: Rod Canion
Stock: If you bought one share of stock on April 28, 1989, it cost $77.63.

1999
Company Web page: "Compaq Computer Corporation today announced the availability of the latest additions to its award-winning Deskpro Family of Personal Computers, featuring Intel's new Pentium 111 processors."

Model: Deskpro EN 6500+
Processor: 500 MHz Intel Pentium III
Memory: 128 MB RAM
Hard drive: 10 gigabytes
CD-ROM: 32X
Diskette drive: Takes three-and-a-quarter-inch floppies
Operating system: Windows 95, 98 or NT
Mouse: But of course
Cost: $1,789 and up
Company CEO: Wanted

Stock: If you had bought one share of stock on April 28, 1989, your holdings would now be worth $1,328.80.