Eight PC manufacturers, including Compaq, formed the Gang of Nine to challenge IBM's dominance in the computer market during the late 1980s.
“They risked their future to create ours...”
Synopsis
Eight PC manufacturers, including Compaq, formed the Gang of Nine to challenge IBM's dominance in the computer market during the late 1980s.
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Synopsis
In a Houston diner in 1982, Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto launch Compaq Computer, aiming to create a portable IBM-compatible PC. The documentary details their battle against IBM's legal might and the challenges faced by other companies attempting to clone its technology. Archival footage and interviews reveal Compaq's rise as a formidable competitor, including its collaboration with Microsoft executives Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer. The narrative captures the company's innovative spirit and its eventual impact on the tech industry.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See how Compaq beat IBM in the PC market.
- Meet the founders who changed personal computing.
- Find out about the Gang of Nine's impact on PC architecture.
Did You Know
- Compaq was founded in 1982 by three Texans: Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto.
- The film premiered at SXSW on March 11, 2016.
- Compaq reached $1 billion in sales by 1990, celebrated with a rap video.
- The documentary includes 1980s Compaq ads featuring John Cleese.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Compaq?
Compaq was founded by three Texans: Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto in 1982.
What was Compaq's first product?
Compaq produced the first portable ('luggable') IBM-compatible computer.
When did Silicon Cowboys premiere?
Silicon Cowboys premiered at SXSW on March 11, 2016.
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