Information on Old IBM Computers

IBM has produced computers since the 1940s. Beginning with room-sized, vacuum-tube machines, the company has continued to evolve its technologies into the modern PC era.

Earliest Models

IBM built its first digital computer, the ASCC, during World War II. By 1953, it had released its first commercially marketed electronic computer, the IBM 701, according to the IBM archives. The 1960s saw the development of the desk-sized IBM 1130, which came with a wide range of scientific and business programs.

Personal Computers

In 1981, IBM entered the PC era with its IBM 5150 personal computer. According to the IBM archives, this best-selling model, developed by the company in only one year's time, came with all the hardware and software needed to perform everyday office tasks such as printing, file storing and word processing.

Continued Development

Following the success of the IBM 5150, which sold 65,000 units in a four-month period, IBM introduced the 5160, also called the XT. Old-Computers states that the XT series, and its successor, the AT series, expanded on the memory, processing and graphics capabilities of IBM PCs to keep up with the latest software and operating systems.

References

• IBM Archives: IBM Mainframes
• IBM Archives: The IBM 1130 Computing System
• IBM Archives: The birth of the IBM PC
• Old-Computers: IBM PC XT - Model 5160
• Old-Computers: IBM PC AT