Compaq (2)

American multinational information technology company and computer hardware & software manufacturer, founded in February 1982 and formerly headquartered in Harris County, Texas. Compaq, officially titled Compaq Computer Corporation, had been developing, manufacturing and distributing desktop personal computers, laptops, servers, telecom equipment, and software for twenty years. In 2002, Compaq was acquired by Hewlett-Packard, which continued using the brand for lower-end systems until 2013. Currently operates as HP licensing division, primarily targeting budget consumer electronic manufacturers in Brazil and India. Compaq was among the earliest manufacturers of IBM-compatible "Personal Computers," growing to become the largest PC supplier in the United States in the 1990s. The brand's demise began after exhausting and prolonged "price wars" with its direct competitor, Dell, followed by a risky acquisition of "DEC." In 2002, Hewlett-Packard acquired Compaq for $25 billion.