Compaq Computer Corporation - an American company for the production of personal computers. Founded in 1982. Some time Compaq was the largest supplier of computers in the world, in 1998, releasing more computers than the next three competitors combined. In 1980 Compaq one of the first to produce inexpensive IBM PC compatible computers. The company ceased independent existence in 2002, when it was merged with HP. The word "Compaq" is an acronym formed from the English phrase "the consistency and quality" (Compatibility and quality).
In 2010, HP factory in China was collected last branded laptop Compaq Presario. From this point on all such devices produced under the brand HP (2000 series).
Prior to the merger with HP Compaq competed with the current parent company, but after the merger of the brands were separated in different price niches - Compaq became more budget. HP Compaq competitors are primarily other major computer makers - Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Fujitsu-Siemens, and others. Initially, the company competed with IBM, making IBM PC compatible computers, which were often cheaper and more productive than most computers produced by IBM.