IBM Personal Computer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:58, 6 June 2003

Revision as of 09:16, 6 June 2003

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'''IBM PCs''' ([[IBM]] [[Personal Computer|Personal Computers]]) and compatible models from other vendors are the most widely used [[computer]] systems in the world. They are typically single user [[personal computer|personal computers]]s, although they have been adapted into multi-user models for special applications.

== Models ==

There are hundreds of models of [[IBM compatible]] computers. The models of IBM's first-generation Personal Computer (PC) series have names:

* The original PC was an IBM attempt to get into the home computer market then dominated by the [[Apple II]]. It had a version of [[BASIC]] in [[ROM]]. The [[CGA]] (Colour Graphics Adapter) video card could use a standard [[TV]] for display. The standard storage device was cassette tape. [[Floppy disk]] was an optional extra; no [[hard disk]] was available. It had only five expansion slots; maximum memory using IBM parts was 256 K, 64 on the main board and three 64 K expansion cards. The processor was an [[Intel 8088]] running at 4.77 [[MHz]].

* The orginal PC failed miserably in the home market, but was widely used in business. The PC XT was an enhanced machine designed for business use. It had 8 expansion slots and a 10 [[megabyte]] [[hard disk]]. It could take 256 K of memory on the main board. It was usually sold with an [[MDA]] (Monochrome Display Adapter). The processor was still a 4.77 [[MHz]] [[Intel 8088]] and the expansion [[computer bus|bus]] stilstill 8-bit [[ISA]] orwith [[XT bus architecture]].

* The PC AT used an [[Intel 80286]] processor, originally at 6 [[MHz]] and later 8. It had a 16-bit [[ISA]] [[bus]] and 20 [[meg]] harddrive. IBM made some attempt at marketing it as a multi-user machine, but it sold mainly as a faster PC for power users.

* [[IBM Convertible]]

* [[IBM Portable]]