Compaq Computer Unveils New Lineup

Compaq Computer Corp., the biggest maker of personal computers, raised the curtain on its fall consumer models Wednesday, including a lower-priced line made with a Taiwanese partner.

The company hopes to stand out on store shelves with machines that have better video quality and sound that rivals home stereos.

“While Compaq does not believe consumers are going to replace their stereos with home computers, we won’t be surprised if they can’t tell the difference,” said Mark Vena, a Compaq product manager.

The announcement marked the end of product rollouts for home computers for the fall and holidays, the busiest sales period of the year.

Compaq set a new standard for computer sound with the models, which rely on software and new chips to make audio improvements.