A PC made by IBM. IBM created the PC industry in 1981 when it introduced its first model with 16KB of RAM. However, it was way off in its estimates, projecting that 250,000 units would be sold in the first five years. In fact, about three million IBM PCs were sold in that period.
No More IBM PCs
In 2004, IBM exited the desktop and laptop arena when it sold its personal computer division to Lenovo, a major Chinese PC manufacturer. IBM is still a large vendor in the x86-based server market with its xSeries line, but although an IBM xSeries server is an IBM PC of sorts, it is not really considered a personal computer (a PC). The xSeries is a robust server product intended for the enterprise market (see xSeries).
Names and Numbers
IBM's first PCs had names such as PC, XT and AT, while its next-generation PS/2 line was given model numbers. For historical purposes, early IBM models are listed below. See PC, IBM-compatible PC, ThinkPad and Lenovo.
The IBM PC
This was the original IBM PC with two floppy disks. This machine spawned the largest market for computers in the world. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
IBM PS/2
This Model 50 was a 286-based PS/2. The PS/2 introduced the Micro Channel bus, VGA graphics and the 3.5\" floppy disk. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
IBM ThinkPad
IBM's ThinkPad portables have been an outstanding success. ThinkPads introduced novel features such as the pointing stick and the Butterfly keyboard. This model 755CD was introduced in 1994. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
No More IBM PCs
In 2004, IBM exited the desktop and laptop arena when it sold its personal computer division to Lenovo, a major Chinese PC manufacturer. IBM is still a large vendor in the x86-based server market with its xSeries line, but although an IBM xSeries server is an IBM PC of sorts, it is not really considered a personal computer (a PC). The xSeries is a robust server product intended for the enterprise market (see xSeries).
Names and Numbers
IBM's first PCs had names such as PC, XT and AT, while its next-generation PS/2 line was given model numbers. For historical purposes, early IBM models are listed below. See PC, IBM-compatible PC, ThinkPad and Lenovo.
FIRST GENERATION PC MODELS
Year
Model Intro. CPU Features
PC 1981 8088, No. 1 (floppy only)
XT 1983 8088, slow hard disk
XT 286 1986 286, slow hard disk
XT/370 1983 8088, 370 emulation
AT 1984 286, medium-speed hard disk
3270 PC 1983 8088, 3270 emulation
PCjr 1983 8088, floppy-based home use
PC Portable 1984 8088, floppy-based portable
Convertible 1986 8088, microfloppy laptop
The IBM PC
This was the original IBM PC with two floppy disks. This machine spawned the largest market for computers in the world. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
SECOND GENERATION PS/2 MODELS
PS/2 models use the Micro Channel bus architecture
unless otherwise noted below.
Year
Model Intro. CPU Features
25 1987 8086, PC bus (limited expansion)
30 1987 8086, PC bus
30-286 1988 286, ISA bus
35 LS 1991 386SX, ISA bus, diskless
35 SX 1991 386SX, ISA bus
L40 SX 1991 386SX, ISA bus, laptop
40 SX 1991 386SX, ISA bus
N45 SL 386SL notebook
50 1987 286
50 Z 1988 286, faster 50
N51 SX 1992 386SX, notebook
N51 SLC 1992 386SLC, notebook
55 SX 1989 386SX
55 LS 1990 386SX, diskless
56 SLC 1992 386SLC
56 SX 1992 386SX, upgradable
57 SLC 1992 386SLC
57 SX 1991 386SX, 2.88MB floppy
CL57 SX 1992 386SX, notebook, active matrix
60 1987 286
65 1990 386SX
70 1988 386
70 486 1989 486
P70 1989 386 portable
P75 486 1990 486 portable, 22 lbs.
76 1994 486SX & DX, OS/2, SCSI
76i 1994 486SX, OS/2, IDE drive
77 1994 DX4, OS/2, SCSI, ECC memory
77i 1994 DX4, OS/2, IDE drive, ECC memory
80 1987 386, tower
90 1990 486, XGA, SCSI, upgradable
90 1992 486DX2/66
95 1990 486, tower
90 SX 1991 486SX
95 SX 1991 486SX, tower
IBM PS/2
This Model 50 was a 286-based PS/2. The PS/2 introduced the Micro Channel bus, VGA graphics and the 3.5\" floppy disk. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
IBM ThinkPad
IBM's ThinkPad portables have been an outstanding success. ThinkPads introduced novel features such as the pointing stick and the Butterfly keyboard. This model 755CD was introduced in 1994. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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