1987
- January
- IBM announces enhancements for the IBM PC Convertible, including a 256K Memory Card. [1311]
- April 2
- In New York and Miami, IBM introduces the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2) line, with IBM's first 386 PC, and 3.5-inch floppy drives as standard. The Model 30 features 8 MHz 8086 processor, 640 kB RAM, 720 kB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 20 MB hard drive, three expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, for US$1695-2295. Model 50 features 10 MHz 80286 processor, 1 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 20 MB hard drive, three expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$3595. Model 60 features 10 MHz 80286 processor, 1 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 44 or 70 MB hard drive, seven expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$5295-6295. Model 80 features 20 MHz 80386 processor, 2 kB RAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, 44/70/115 MB hard drive, seven expansion slots, PC-DOS 3.3, OS/2, for US$6995-10995. [35] [75] [116] [120] [203.27] [205.34] [330.132] [346.199] [346.269] [415.59] [620.124] [618.285] [1309] [1397.D1]
- IBM unveils its Video Graphics Array (VGA) in its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line. VGA offers 256 simultaneous colors at a resolution of 320x200, and 16 colors at 640x480. The colors displayed have six bits of depth for each primary color, giving a palette of 262,144 different colors to select from. [116] [120] [346.199] [1309]
- IBM unveils its Multicolor Graphics Array (MCGA) on its PS/2 Model 30. The MCGA is limited to 64K of memory, limiting 640x480 resolution to just 2 colors, but still allowing 320x200 in 256 colors. [116] [1309]
- IBM introduces its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) on its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line. [116] [346.199] [346.269] [415.59] [522.165] [1309]
- IBM and Microsoft announce Operating System/2 (OS/2), Standard Edition for the IBM PS/2 computer line. [16] [31] [41] [123] [130] [146] [150] [346.200] [346.269] [379.256] [389.28] [415.59] [858.70] [1309] [1639.109] (April 1 [909.231])
- IBM announces Operating System/2, Extended Edition, Version 1.1. [1309]
- IBM announces DOS 3.3 for PCs, for US$120. It adds support for 1.44 MB floppy disks, and multiple 32 MB hard drive partitions. [117] [146] [329.113] [346.254] [748.39] [909.231]
- April
- IBM ships TopView v1.12. [130]
- June
- IBM withdraws TopView from the market. [346.285] (1986 [383.14])
- Microsoft and IBM release the OS/2 developers' kit. [493.65]
- (month unknown)
- IBM discontinues the original IBM PC line. [203.28]
- July
- IBM announces the IBM PC Convertible Model 3, with new back-lit LCD screen and longer battery life. [1311]
- IBM ships the first PS/2 Model 80 systems. [307.134]
- August 4
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 25, with an 8 MHz Intel 8086, combined system unit with monitor, no hard drive, and reduced-size keyboard, starting at US$1350. [118] [120] [1309]
- November
- IBM reports that it has shipped one million PS/2 systems. [327.26] [1311]
- December
- Microsoft releases OS/2 1.0 for the IBM PS/2. Code-name during development was CP DOS. It requires an 80286 processor and 3 MB RAM. It includes a DOS-compatibility box. [346.270] [379.256] [858.71] [909.231] [1436.10]
- December 4
- IBM ships first copies of OS/2 Standard Edition 1.0. [31] [75] [130] [134] [135] [329.5] [1311] [1404.C3] (November [146])
- December 31
- Shipments of IBM PS/2 Model 30 computers to date: 350,000. [307.219]
- Shipments of IBM PS/2 Model 50 computers to date: 308,000. [307.219]
- Shipments of IBM PC AT Model 5170 computers to date: 263,000. [307.219]
- Shipments of IBM PC XT Model 5160 computers to date: 217,000. [307.219]
- Year
- Market share of personal computers: IBM 39.2%, Compaq Computer 22.8%. [1299.348]
1988
- April 8
- IBM announces it will license its patents on the Micro Channel architecture to competitors. [1408.D4]
- June 2
- IBM announces the PS/2 Model 70, as 16, 20, and 25 MHz 80386 systems. [131] [1309]
- IBM announces the PS/2 Model 50 Z. [1309]
- IBM announces the PS/2 Model 25 LS. [1309]
- (month unknown)
- The bus standard used on IBM AT compatibles is given the name Industry Standard Architecture (ISA). [545.355]
- July
- IBM ships OS/2 Extended Edition 1.0. [31]
- July 19
- IBM ships PC-DOS 4.00. It adds a shell menu interface and support for hard disk partitions over 32 MB. [31] [146] [1309] [1897.129] (August [1299.430])
- (month unknown)
- Quote from IBM Chairman John Akers: "We're trying to change the habits of an awful lot of people. That won't happen overnight, but it will bloody well happen." [307.214]
- Quote from Compaq Computer President and CEO Rod Canion: "If people are going to buy Micro Channel, they're going to buy it from IBM." [307.214]
- September 13
- IBM introduces the IBM PS/2 Model 30 286, using the AT-bus. It features a 10 MHz 286, 512 kB RAM, VGA, and 20 MB hard drive. [133] [308.40] [1309] [1897.129]
- October 31
- At the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, IBM officially annouces the release of Operating System/2 1.1 Standard Edition with Presentation Manager. Code-name during development was Trimaran. [16] [45] [123] [134] [135] [313.105] [379.256] [477.160] [522.41] [620.125] [778.113] [909.231] [1299.374] [1309] [1639.114] (November [858.71])
- Year
- Shipments of IBM pesonal computers for the year: 1.229 million. [448.69]
1989
- April 4
- IBM announces a new version of the PS/2 Model 30 computer. [2164.D4]
- May 9
- IBM introduces the IBM PS/2 Model P70 386 computer. It features MCA, 20 MHz 80386, 60 MB hard drive. Weight is 20 pounds. Price is US$7695. Price with 120 MB hard drive is US$8295. [1309] [2204.35] [2205.D4]
- IBM introduces the IBM PS/2 Model 55 SX computer. It features 16 MHz 80386SX processor, MCA slots, 30 MB hard drive, 2 MB DRAM, 1.44 MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, VGA, 13-inch color monitor. Price is US$3895. Price with 60 MB hard drive is US$4295. [1069.181] [1309] [2204.35] [2205.D4]
- June 6
- IBM introduces the Interleaf desktop publishing software for DOS-based personal computers. Price is US$750-995. [2122.D6]
- June
- IBM introduces the Office Vision system. It took 4000 man-years of work costing US$1 billion to produce. [346.146] (May [618.288])
- June 20
- IBM announces the 486/25 Power Platform processor upgrade kit for the IBM PS/2 Model 70-A21. Price is US$3995. [1311] [2126.A13,D1]
- July 14
- IBM and Compaq Computer sign a patent cross-licensing agreement, covering all patents filed before July 1, 1993. [2137.35]
- July 25
- IBM begins shipping Personal System/2 Enhanced 80386 Memory Option with 4-megabit DRAM memory chips. Price is US$3495. This is the first personal computer product using 4 megabit memory chips. [1069.17] [2144.D4]
- September
- IBM releases OS/2 1.2. It adds high performance file system (HPFS) with long filenames and extended attributes. Code-name during development was Sloop. [135] [346.243] (October [858.71])
- October
- IBM signs a deal with NeXT to license the NeXTSTEP operating system, for US$10 million. [170.65] (1988 [618.310])
- (month unknown)
- IBM introduces the IBM LaserPrinter laser printer. It features 10 page per minute print speed, 300 dpi resolution, 10 founts, 512 kB RAM, and emulation of HP PCL, IBM Proprinter, IBM Proprinter XL, IBM Quietwriter, IBM 7372 plotter, and HP 7475A plotter. Price is US$2595. [1064.50]
- November 13
- At the fall COMDEX show, IBM strongly endorses Microsoft Windows for low end PCs, and Microsoft publicly endorses OS/2 as the future platform for higher-end PCs. IBM and Microsoft agree to jointly develop a consistent, full-range of systems software. [38] [45] [123] [389.29] [477.160] [1064.22] [1149.358]
- IBM and Microsoft issue a joint statement that Microsoft would hold back features for Windows to help industry acceptance of OS/2. (This letter causes the Federal Trade Commission to begin an investigation of Microsoft for anticompetitive collusion.) [1149.373]
1990
- March
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 65SX, with a 386SX processor. [1095.32]
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 65, with a 16 MHz 80386SX, 2 MB RAM, and 60 MB SCSI hard drive. [646.54]
- June
- IBM introduces the IBM Personal System/1 computers, with 10 MHz 80286 processor, built-in VGA, and monitor. Prices range from US$999 to US$1999. [138] [1312]
- (month unknown)
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 25 286. [1312]
- IBM discontinues PS/2 Models 60-041, 60-071, 80-041, and 80-071. [1095.32]
- September
- IBM and Microsoft end co-operative work on operating systems, dividing up work-to-date between them, in a series of cross-licensing agreements. Microsoft will work on Windows, DOS, and a portable version of OS/2. IBM will continue development of 16-bit (v1.x) and 32-bit (v2.0) versions of OS/2. [162] [346.245] [379.256] [477.161] [511.95] [795.15] [909.232] [1299.399] [1897.129] (November [38])
- IBM and Metaphor Computer Systems create the Patriot Partners company, to create an operating environment allowing a single program to run on a variety of platforms. [682.57] [1080.198] [1149.364]
- October
- IBM releases OS/2 1.3. Code-name during development was Cutter. Code-name at Microsoft was Tiger. [769.306] [1299.383] (December [858.71])
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 90 XP 486-OJ5 (8590-OJ5). It features 25 MHz 80486 processor, 17-ms 80 MB hard drive, 4 MB RAM, 8 kB caching controller, 1.44 MB floppy drive, one parallel port, two serial ports, mouse port, 101-key keyboard, XGA video graphics on system board, four 32-bit Micro Channel slots, Processor Complex board, two memory boards, three 3.5-inch drive bays, one 5.25-inch drive bay. Price is US$12495. [769.288]
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 90 XP 486-OJ9 (8590-OJ9). It features 25 MHz 80486 processor, 16-ms 160 MB hard drive, 4 MB RAM, 8 kB caching controller, 1.44 MB floppy drive, one parallel port, two serial ports, mouse port, 101-key keyboard, XGA video graphics on system board, four 32-bit Micro Channel slots, Processor Complex board, two memory boards, three 3.5-inch drive bays, one 5.25-inch drive bay. Price is US$13095. [769.288]
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 90 XP 486-OKD (8590-OKD). It features 33 MHz 80486 processor, 12.5-ms 320 MB hard drive, 4 MB RAM, 8 kB caching controller, 1.44 MB floppy drive, one parallel port, two serial ports, mouse port, 101-key keyboard, XGA video graphics on system board, four 32-bit Micro Channel slots, Processor Complex board, two memory boards, three 3.5-inch drive bays, one 5.25-inch drive bay. Price is US$16695. [769.288]
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 95 XP 486-OJ9 (8595-OJ9). It features 25 MHz 80486 processor, 16-ms 160 MB SCSI hard drive, 4 MB RAM, 8 kB caching controller, 1.44 MB floppy drive, one parallel port, two serial ports, eight SIMM sockets, mouse port, 101-key keyboard, XGA Display Adapter/A, eight 32-bit Micro Channel slots, Processor Complex board, two memory boards, two 3.5-inch drive bays, five 5.25-inch drive bay. Price is US$14145. [769.288]
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 95 XP 486-OJD (8595-OJD). It features 25 MHz 80486 processor, 12.5-ms 320 MB SCSI hard drive, 4 MB RAM, 8 kB caching controller, 1.44 MB floppy drive, one parallel port, two serial ports, eight SIMM sockets, mouse port, 101-key keyboard, XGA Display Adapter/A, eight 32-bit Micro Channel slots, Processor Complex board, two memory boards, two 3.5-inch drive bays, five 5.25-inch drive bay. Price is US$16095. [769.288]
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 95 XP 486-OKD (8595-OKD). It features 33 MHz 80486 processor, 12.5-ms 320 MB SCSI hard drive, 4 MB RAM, 8 kB caching controller, 1.44 MB floppy drive, one parallel port, two serial ports, eight SIMM sockets, mouse port, 101-key keyboard, XGA Display Adapter/A, eight 32-bit Micro Channel slots, Processor Complex board, two memory boards, two 3.5-inch drive bays, five 5.25-inch drive bay. Price is US$17745. [769.288]
- November
- IBM introduces the PS/2 Model P75 portable computer. It features 33 MHz 486, XGA, SCSI, 8 MB RAM, 10-inch gas-plasma VGA screen, 160 MB SCSI hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy drive, mouse port. Weight is 22 pounds. Price is US$15,990. This is the first 486 portable personal computer with FCC Class B approval. [769]
- Year
- Market share of US personal computers: IBM 15.2%, Apple Computer 9%, Compaq 4.2%. [958.48]
- Shipments of IBM personal computers: 2.84 million. [686.47]
1991
-
- IBM introduces the IBM PS/2 L40 LX laptop computer. It features full-sized keyboard, 10-inch display, hard drive. Weight is 7.7 pounds. [1312]
- July 3
- Apple Computer and IBM sign a technology sharing agreement, to integrate the Mac into IBM's enterprise systems, to allow future RISC-based Macs to use IBM's Power PC chip, to work together on common multimedia standards, and to co-operatively produce a new object-oriented operating system. [22] [37] [46] [170.13] [205.13] [414.231] [525.3] [618.310] [733.23] [704.96] [881.81] [1080.198] [1149.405]
- October
- Apple Computer, Motorola, and IBM officially sign an accord on technology sharing. Apple and IBM will jointly develop the PowerOpen Specification, based on IBM's AIX operating system. The Taligent company will be established to develop an operating system based on Apple Computer's project Pink. [44] [205.99] [293.35] [321.12] [145] [397.12] [399.32] [417.17] [746.72] [1149.405] [1205.35] [1880.20] (September [75] [205.2])
- At the Microprocessor Forum, IBM and Motorola outline a four year road map of PowerPC processors, starting with a low-cost desktop processor, and culminating in a high performance processor for servers and workstations. [1021]
- Apple Computer and IBM create Kaleida, to create a hardware-independent multimedia scripting language. [399.32] [414.231]
- Quote from IBM's Lee Reiswig: "We will be enhancing OS/2 until the late 1990s." [47]
- At Fall Comdex, IBM formally introduces OS/2 2.0, to be shipped by early spring. [1149.408]
- (month unknown)
- Quote by George Colony, president of Forrester Research, on OS/2: "This has to be the greatest disaster in IBM's history.". [1149.409]
- IBM exits from the desktop software market. [728.45] [1080.28]
- December
- IBM introduces the 20 MHz 386SLC microprocessor. It is an enhanced Intel 386SX, including an 8 kB cache, and extra instructions. It is the first chip produced under an agreement between Intel and IBM, for IBM to use in their own systems. [477.128] [606.64]
- Year
- Market share of personal computers in the US: IBM 14%, Apple Computer 12%, Compaq 4%. [958.48]
- Shipments of IBM personal computers for the year: 2.91 million. [686.47]
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