A History of Information Technology and Written Communication.
Page generated: Saturday 4-09-2010 5:58pm
Page generated: Saturday 4-09-2010 5:58pm
Although personal computers had been built before, the IBM 5150 was the original version of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It featured an Intel 8088 processor running at 4.77 MHz , 16kB or 64kB of RAM (upgradeable to 256kB), and running OS IBM BASIC and Microsoft MS-DOS 1.0.
In order to get their PC to market as quickly as possible, IBM decided to use parts already being manufactured, and an open architecture so that other manufacturers could produce and sell compatible machines. Specifications of the BIOS were published, while IBM hoped to profit from royalties from licencing the BIOS, and by keeping ahead of competitors such as Apple.
However, other manufacturers revers-engineers the BIOS to produce their own royalty-free versions.
The 5150 was discontinued on April 2, 1987.