IBM Personal Computer

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IBM PC Motherboard (1981)

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IBM Model F XT

IBM Personal Computer (PC), designated as the IBM model 5150, is a landmark system in the history of personal computing. Introduced by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) on August 12, 1981, it was part of the IBM PC series and is considered one of the most influential computers in the computing industry. The IBM PC set the standard for the architecture of most personal computers that followed, leading to the term "PC compatible" or "IBM-compatible" computers.

Development

The development of the IBM Personal Computer was initiated by a special project team in Boca Raton, Florida. The project, codenamed "Project Chess," aimed to create a computer that could compete in the rapidly growing personal computer market, which was dominated at the time by machines like the Apple II, Commodore PET, and TRS-80. IBM's strategy was to produce a machine that was affordable for businesses and individuals, using off-the-shelf parts to speed up development and reduce costs. This approach was a departure from IBM's tradition of using proprietary components, which allowed for the rapid growth of the PC clone market.

Specifications

The original IBM PC came with an Intel 8088 processor at 4.77 MHz, 16 KB of memory (expandable to 256 KB), and one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives. It did not have a hard drive, and its operating system, PC-DOS, was developed by Microsoft. The computer featured an open architecture with five expansion slots, and it supported a color graphics adapter (CGA) or a monochrome display adapter (MDA). The IBM PC was also notable for introducing the 83-key keyboard layout, which included the introduction of function keys and a separate numeric keypad.

Impact

The IBM PC's open architecture and the decision to license the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) to other manufacturers had a profound impact on the personal computer market. This led to the emergence of a large ecosystem of IBM-compatible computers, also known as PC clones, which were manufactured by companies like Compaq, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard. The compatibility with IBM's system became a critical factor for software and hardware developers, leading to the widespread adoption of the IBM PC standard.

The success of the IBM PC and its clones also accelerated the shift of computing power from large mainframe computers to individual desktop machines in both business and home environments. This democratization of computing power contributed significantly to the growth of the software industry, including the rise of companies like Microsoft and the proliferation of personal productivity applications, games, and utilities.

Legacy

The IBM Personal Computer's legacy is evident in the vast ecosystem of PC-compatible hardware and software that dominates the personal computing landscape to this day. While IBM eventually exited the personal computer market by selling its PC division to Lenovo in 2005, the standards and technologies introduced by the IBM PC continue to influence the design and functionality of modern personal computers.