Neither machine appeared to break any new ground, since Compaq and other companies have offered comparable machines for at least a year.

Today comparable machines can be had for less than $1,000.

But it's still less expensive than any comparable machine, if indeed anything can be said to be comparable.

Competing Japanese models have integrated a floppy drive into their comparable machines, with no noticable addition of weight.

In exchange for these services, customers may pay a significant surcharge over the cost of comparable machines.

The Myriad 1 computer was mounted in a small desk format, and was far smaller than any comparable machine at the time.

What's more, the footprint of its low-profile systems unit measures 30% less than many other comparable machines.

The computer is priced between $5,399 and $5,999, which Compaq said is about 8 percent above the price of comparable machines.

Prices today are about half what they were 10 years ago for comparable machines and reliability is four times better, he said.

As of June 2008, only Maico itself has a machine comparable to this.