EXHIBIT 5 14 November 1995 Digital Equipment Corporation 111 Powdermill Road Maynard, Massachusetts 01754 Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8 Relating to the Digital Equipment Corporation 1995 Equity Plan; 1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors (collectively, the "Plans") ----------------------------------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: I am Vice President, Clerk, Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of Digital Equipment Corporation (the "Corporation"), a Massachusetts corporation. I am of the opinion that the 10,050,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, proposed to be issued by the Corporation pursuant to the Plans will be legally issued, fully-paid and nonassessable after the issuance of such shares in accordance with the terms of the Plans. I am further of the opinion that no action of any governmental authority is necessary for the issuance and sale of such shares by the Corporation except that the above-referenced Registration Statement shall have become effective and such action as may be necessary under the securities laws of the several states shall have been taken. I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the above- referenced Registration Statement. Very truly yours, /s/ Gail S. Mann Gail S. Mann Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Secretary and Clerk