Compaq LTE Elite Computer Review

The Compaq LTE Elite is a series of laptop computers which consists of the 4/25, 4/40, 4/50, and 4/75 models. Although they are older computers, there are usually a number of them listed on eBay.com (especially the 4/40 and 4/75), so they were apparently quite popular when they were new. I recently purchased a used Compaq LTE Elite 4/75C, which I am using to type this article, and plan to continue to use for word processing.

The Elite 4/75C I purchased did not come with a hard drive (it was removed for "security reasons" by the previous owner), so I tried to start it up with a regular MS-DOS boot disk. For some reason this didn't work ("non-system disk"), so I did some research online and read on an archived newsgroup message that the 4/75C will boot to DOS from a Windows 98 boot disk; fortunately I have one of these which came with another computer, so I was able to boot it successfully. This may or may not apply to other versions of Windows and/or other Compaq LTE computer models.

In addition to MS-DOS, the 4/75C meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 3.x, 95, and 98, as indicated by the Microsoft website. The Elite 4/25, 4/40, and 4/50 only meet the requirements for 3.x and 95. The LTE Elite I am using was upgraded to twenty megabytes of memory. Support information and drivers are still available for the Elite 4/40, 4/50, and 4/75 on the Compaq/HP website.

It is rather compact and fairly lightweight, measuring only 11.75"x8.75" and approximately 2" thick, when closed. Measured diagonally, the LTE Elite's built-in color screen is almost 9.5 inches; an external monitor can also be connected. The lack of need for an external power supply/adapter enhances its portability (see 2nd-to-last paragraph). Convenient sliding brightness and contrast controls are located next to the screen. Unlike most laptop computer models, it has a small built-in trackball next to the screen, in the lower-right corner. The trackball buttons are on back of the screen panel, behind the trackball.

The Elite 4/75C's keyboard has just over eighty keys, some of which have extra functions which can be activated by holding the "Fn" key at the same time. It has all twelve function keys, and the arrow keys are mostly separated from the others. I had very little difficulty adapting to this keyboard after using a regular desktop computer keyboard for a long period of time. The keyboard is of very good quality and is located near the front of the computer. There is a PS/2 port on the back of the Elite 4/75C for attaching an external keyboard or mouse.

In addition to the PS/2 port, the Elite 4/75C also features serial, monitor, docking, parallel, and monitor ports. However, it does not have USB or game/joystick ports. A cover marked "Memory Expansion" on the bottom of the computer allows memory boards to be installed or removed without taking apart the entire computer, and a panel on the left side reveals another type of expansion slot. There is a built-in speaker, and the volume is adjusted by pressing "Fn" and "F5", then using the left and right arrow keys after a volume level indicator appears on the screen. There is also a built-in 3.5" floppy disk drive. It does not have a built-in modem, but it is possible to add one if access to dial-up internet service is desired.

Unlike most laptop computers, the Compaq LTE Elite does not use an external AC power supply/adapter. It only requires a generic AC cord (the same type which runs from the power supply to the wall outlet on most laptops), which goes directly from the back of the computer to an electrical outlet. Also, a small cover under the power cord jack can be removed to reveal a round DC power jack, apparently for connecting it to a car cigarette lighter with an adapter of the appropriate type.

Overall, the Compaq LTE Elite series provides an inexpensive, compact option for those who want a portable computer but don't need to use the latest software or high-speed internet services.