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Silicon Cowboys

Play trailer Poster for Silicon Cowboys Released Sep 16, 2016 1h 17m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Launched in 1982 by three friends in a Houston diner, Compaq Computer set out to build a portable PC to take on IBM, the world's most powerful tech company. Many had tried cloning the industry leader's code, only to be trounced by IBM and its high-priced lawyers. "Silicon Cowboys" traces the rise, and eventual demise, of the unlikely upstart that would alter the future of computing and shape the world as it is known today.
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Silicon Cowboys

Critics Reviews

View All (13) Critics Reviews
Jason Bailey Flavorwire A fast-paced and lucid time capsule, thanks to the kitschy vintage ads, archival footage, and news clips. Nov 17, 2016 Full Review Ken Jaworowski New York Times You won't walk away with a degree in business or psychology after watching "Silicon Cowboys." But this documentary leaves you with a curious feeling that you've earned college credit in both, and gotten a few laughs as well. Sep 15, 2016 Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen Los Angeles Times A zippy, compact history of the rise and rise of Compaq Computer Corp. Sep 15, 2016 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter An absorbing tale. Jun 9, 2020 Full Review Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue ... a tribute to underdog entrepreneurs with some amusing nostalgic touches Sep 23, 2016 Full Review Ray Pride Newcity The spunk of the young bucks from Houston entertains, and the slick telling is largely upbeat entertainment. Sep 18, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael W This tech documentary was really good. The entire crew did a fantastic job on making this documentary about the Compaq computer company. It's a true David vs Goliath story about them competing against the computer giant IBM. It was very interesting and inspirational. If you haven't seen this documentary yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/13/24 Full Review David F This documentary tells the story of Compaq from its beginnings in the early 1980s up through the early 90s, focusing on its innovations in personal computers and its battles with IBM. The founders are interviewed, along with many other talking heads familiar with the industry and the history of technology, and there are tons of old videos of business news tv programs and old ads. In particular, there are a lot of old Compaq ads featuring John Cleese, and it's very interesting to see the kind of marketing that computer companies did in the 1980s. It sort of abruptly ends with the firing of the CEO-one of the founders, and there's just a few subtitles that cover the 1990s and its 2002 merger with HP. The tone is more chatting about the good old days then comprehensive corporate history, but it is entertaining and informative. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Audience Member A plucky band of venture capitalists... is how the plot summary should begin. The premise that these guys are anything but capitalist opportunists without any original ideas is the true plot here. I don't see how a shitty company like Compaq could ever be viewed as anything other than everything that's symptomatic of American capitalist society today. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member La verdadera historia de la PC portátil Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member A fascinating look at how a small group of friends, without even knowing they wanted to explore the computer industry at first, took on and eventually took down tech giant IBM with one particularly revolutionary idea that still fuels the modern computing industry. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Well made. I am not particularly interested in the subject matter but people who have are keen on it will get a lot out of this film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Silicon Cowboys

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Movie Info

Synopsis Launched in 1982 by three friends in a Houston diner, Compaq Computer set out to build a portable PC to take on IBM, the world's most powerful tech company. Many had tried cloning the industry leader's code, only to be trounced by IBM and its high-priced lawyers. "Silicon Cowboys" traces the rise, and eventual demise, of the unlikely upstart that would alter the future of computing and shape the world as it is known today.
Director
Jason Cohen
Producer
Ross M. Dinerstein, Glen Zipper
Screenwriter
Jason Cohen, Steven Leckart
Distributor
FilmRise
Production Co
Campfire
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 16, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.7K
Runtime
1h 17m
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