Personal Computer AT

Personal Computer AT. Introduced by International Business Machines Corporation in 1984, it represented a major leap forward in the IBM Personal Computer family. Featuring the advanced Intel 80286 microprocessor, it offered significant performance improvements over its predecessor, the IBM Personal Computer XT. The machine set new standards for business computing and became a highly influential platform in the history of computing.

Overview

The launch of this system was a pivotal event for International Business Machines Corporation in the mid-1980s, solidifying its dominance in the corporate information technology market. It was designed to be a high-performance successor to the popular IBM Personal Computer XT, targeting professional and multi-user environments. Journalists at publications like PC Magazine and InfoWorld extensively covered its release, heralding its advanced capabilities. The model's architecture influenced countless subsequent IBM compatible systems from manufacturers like Compaq and Dell.

Hardware specifications

At the heart of the system was the 6 MHz Intel 80286 processor, a chip that supported protected mode operation and could address up to 16 MB of RAM. Standard memory configurations started at 256 KB, expandable via proprietary expansion cards on the system's Industry Standard Architecture bus. Storage was revolutionized by the inclusion of a high-density 1.2 MB floppy disk drive and support for hard disks, typically a 20 MB model from manufacturers like Seagate Technology. The physical design, including its distinctive keyboard with LED indicators, was created by IBM's Boca Raton laboratory.

Software and operating systems

The primary operating system was IBM PC DOS 3.0 and later versions, co-developed with Microsoft. This allowed for compatibility with a vast library of application software from companies like Lotus Development Corporation and Ashton-Tate. The hardware's capabilities also made it a viable platform for multi-user operating systems, notably Xenix, a variant of UNIX licensed by Microsoft. Early versions of Microsoft Windows, including Microsoft Windows 1.0, could run on the platform, though graphical environments were not yet mainstream. Development tools from Borland and Microsoft flourished on this system.

Impact and legacy

The architecture became the definitive standard for high-end personal computing throughout the mid-to-late 1980s, creating a massive market for IBM compatible "AT clones". Its Industry Standard Architecture bus became a de facto standard for years, used by companies like AST Research and Orchid Technology. The success pressured rival platforms like the Apple Macintosh and various UNIX workstations from Sun Microsystems. Its influence extended into the development of the Extended Industry Standard Architecture and eventually the Peripheral Component Interconnect bus. The model's retirement in 1987 paved the way for the IBM Personal System/2 series.

Models and variants

The original 5170 model was released in 1984, with subsequent revisions increasing processor speed to 8 MHz. International Business Machines Corporation also produced specialized models for different markets, including the IBM 3270 PC, which integrated mainframe computer terminal functionality. Numerous third-party manufacturers, including Tandy Corporation and Olivetti, produced licensed clones and compatible systems. The basic platform was also repurposed by IBM as a platform for the IBM RT PC, an early reduced instruction set computer workstation. Later, the core technology was incorporated into the IBM Personal System/2 Model 30 286.

Category:IBM personal computers Category:1984 introductions