The IBM PS/1 is a brand for a line of personal computers that marked IBM's return to the home market in 1990, five years after the IBM PCjr. It was replaced by the IBM Aptiva in September 1994.
Type | Personal computer |
---|---|
Release date | 1990 |
Discontinued | 1994 |
Predecessor | IBM PCjr |
Successor | IBM Aptiva |
Related | IBM PS/2 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2011) |
Position among IBM's PC brands
Like the PCjr, the PS/1's name suggested a more limited machine than IBM's business line, the PS/2. However, unlike the PS/2, the PS/1 was based upon architecture closer to the AT and compatibles, for example using ISA, plain VGA, and IDE. The PS/1 line was created for new computer users and was sold in consumer electronics stores alongside comparable offerings from Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Packard Bell, and others. American PS/1 models came with a modem installed so users could access online IBM help services, which were provided by partnerships with Prodigy and Quantum. Although the first models used custom-designed components and design, later desktop and tower models used mostly standard components. The earlier models included a ROM with IBM's PC DOS and a graphical shell, however the system was compatible with other DOS implementations and the shell could be installed on the hard drive. Later models included a feature called "Rapid Resume"[1] which gave the computers the ability to go into standby mode as well as a hibernation function. There were several form factors used during the PS/1's production:
- 2011 Proprietary design, power supply is within CRT
- 2121 Proprietary design, power supply is within CRT, up to two available ISA slots
- 2123 Limited-production model. Based on IBM PS/2 model 30 case, three available ISA slots
- 2133 Desktop case. The 3x3 references the available slots and drive bays.
- 2155 Desktop case larger than 2133. The 5x5 references the available slots and drive bays. Including a 5.25" bay.
- 2168 Tower unit. The 6x8 references the available slots and bays. Including 5.25" bays.
The 2133 and 2155 cases were used in several model years with the 2168 tower unit appearing a bit later.
Models
Release date | 1990 |
---|---|
Operating system | PC DOS 4.01 (in ROM) |
CPU | Intel 80286 @ 10 MHz |
Memory | 512 KB ~ 2.5 MB |
Release date | 1992 |
---|---|
Discontinued | 1993 |
Operating system | PC DOS 4.01 (in ROM) |
CPU | Intel 80386SX @ 16 MHz ~ 20 MHz |
Memory | 2 MB ~ 6 MB |
Release date | 1992 |
---|---|
Discontinued | 1993 |
Operating system | PC DOS 4.01 or OS/2 v2.1 |
CPU | Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz or 80486SX @ 20 MHz or 80486SX @ 25 MHz or 80486DX @ 33 MHz or 80486DX2 @ 50 MHz |
Memory | 2 MB ~ 16 MB (2-4MB on-board) |
Release date | 1993 |
---|---|
Discontinued | 1994 |
Operating system | PC DOS 6.00 / Windows 3.1 |
CPU | Intel 80486SX @ 25 MHz or Intel 80486SX @ 33 MHz |
Memory | 2 MB ~ 6 MB |
Models 2011 and 2121
The original PS/1 (Model 2011), based on a 10 MHz Intel 80286 CPU, was designed to be easy to set up and use. It featured 512 KB of on-board memory (expandable to 1 MB or 2.5 MB with proprietary memory modules), built-in modem (in American models only) and an optional 30 MB or 40 MB hard disk. IBM also released a 5.25" disk drive unit, a $169 ISA Adapter Card Unit (ACU) [2] to install third-party expansion cards, and a $995 CD-ROM drive, based on a Western Digital SCSI chip, that fit underneath the case.[3] Some of the lower-end PS/1 models suffered from very limited expansion capabilities, since they lacked standard ISA expansion slots.
The 2121 series computers used the same form factor as the 2011 series, but included up to two ISA slots inside the case. Memory could be expanded from 2MB to 6MB using a proprietary 4 MB memory module. The higher-end 2121 featured an Intel 80386SX processor running at 16 or 20 MHz.
The 2121 series PS/1 computers can be split into the following major hardware categories:[3][4]
Model | US List | MB FRU | CPU | ISA Slots | RAM | VRAM | Hard-Drive | Serial / Modem |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2121-C42 | $1,699 | 92F9690 | Intel 80386SX @ 16 MHz | 0 | 2 MB | 256KB | 95F4720 (40 MB IDE) | 2400 baud modem |
2121-B82 | $2,199 | 92F9690 | Intel 80386SX @ 16 MHz | 2 | 2 MB | 256KB | 92F9943 (80 MB IDE) | 2400 baud modem |
2121-C92 | ? | ? | Intel 80386SX @ 16 MHz | 0 | 2 MB | 256KB | 129 MB IDE | 2400 baud modem |
2121-G42 | ? | 93F2184 | Intel 80386SX @ 20 MHz | 0 | 2 MB | 256KB | 40 MB IDE | 2400 baud modem |
2121-A82 | ? | ? | Intel 80386SX @ 20 MHz | 2 | 2 MB | 256KB | 40 MB IDE | 2400 baud modem |
2121-S92 | ? | ? | Intel 80386SX @ 20 MHz | 0 | 2 MB | 256KB | 129 MB IDE | 2400 baud modem |
2121-M82 | ? | ? | Intel 80386SX @ 20 MHz | 2 | 2 MB | 256KB | 80 MB IDE | 2400 baud modem |
2121-A62 | ? | ? | ? | 2 | ? MB | 256KB | 56F8863 (160 MB IDE) | 2400 baud modem |
2121-A92 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? MB | 256KB | ? MB IDE | serial port |
2121-A94 | ? | ? | Intel 80386SX @ 20 MHz | 2 | 6 MB | 256KB | 129 MB IDE | 2400 baud modem |
Monitors IBM made the decision to put the DC power supply in the monitor, making use of third-party monitors difficult and essentially impractical and limiting the usefulness of the computer if the monitor needed service (similar to the problems of the Coleco Adam and Amstrad 1512 years earlier). Some models were sold with greyscale VGA monitors. However, some hobbyists could manage to remap the pinouts to allow for third-party monitors.
"DOS in ROM" Similar to a few Tandy 1000 models, the early 2011 and 2121 had an operating system (PC DOS 4.01) built into ROM, rather than loading it from a hard drive. The ROM disk would then load a "4-quad" screen which allowed users to access help, rapidly launch pre-installed software, connect online, and access files on the hard drive. It was possible to have the computer boot from the hard drive if the operating system was upgraded, and IBM provided a DOS 6.22-compatible version of the "4-quad" program that could be launched from the hard drive if users wished to continue using it.[5]
Model 2133
The 2133 series PS/1 computers can be split into the following major hardware categories:[6][7]
Model | MB FRU | CPU | RAM | SIMM | Video chip | VRAM | Hard-Drive | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2133-711 | 93F2397 | Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz | 2 MB | 2×72 Pin FPM | 256KB | 59G9567 (85 MB IDE) | ||
2133-811 | Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz | 4 MB | 85 MB IDE | |||||
2133-13 | ??? | Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz | 2 MB | 2x72 Pin FPM | 256KB | ??? | ||
2133-W13 | Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz | 2 MB | 129 MB IDE | |||||
2133-13T | 65G3766 | Intel 80486SX @ 25 MHz | 4 MB | 2×72 Pin FPM | 256KB | 93F2329 (129 MB IDE) | ||
2133-?43 | 34G1885 | Intel 80486SX @ 20 MHz | 4 MB | 2×30 Pin FPM | 512KB | 93F2329 (129 MB IDE) | ||
2133-?50 | 34G1848 | Intel 80486SX @ 25 MHz | 4 MB | 2×30 Pin FPM | 512KB | 93F2329 (129 MB IDE) | ||
2133-?53 | 34G1848 | Intel 80486SX @ 25 MHz | 4 MB | 2×30 Pin FPM | 512KB | 93F2329 (129 MB IDE) | ||
2133-652 | Intel 80486SX @ 33 MHz | 4 MB | 4×72 Pin FPM | Cirrus CL-GD5424 | 512KB | 84G3927 (171 MB IDE) | ||
2133-575 | Intel 80486DX @ 33 MHz | 4 MB | 4×72 Pin FPM | 512KB | 170 MB IDE | |||
2133-594 | Intel 80486DX2 @ 66 MHz | 4 MB | 4×72 Pin FPM | 512KB | 253 MB IDE | |||
2133-E11 | Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz | 2 MB | 2×72 Pin FPM | Cirrus CL-GD5424 | 512 KB | 85 MB IDE | Canada models, English model | |
2133-F11 | Intel 80386SX @ 25 MHz | 2 MB | 2×72 Pin FPM | Cirrus CL-GD5424 | 512 KB | 85 MB IDE | Canada models, French model | |
2133-E43 | Intel 80486SX @ 20 MHz | 2 MB | 8×30 Pin FPM | Tseng ET4000 | 512 KB | 129 MB IDE | Canada models, English model | |
2133-F43 | Intel 80486SX @ 20 MHz | 2 MB | 8×30 Pin FPM | Tseng ET4000 | 512 KB | 129 MB IDE | Canada models, French model | |
2133-E53 | Intel 80486SX @ 25 MHz | 2 MB | 8×30 Pin FPM | Tseng ET4000 | 512 KB | 129 MB IDE | Canada models, English model | |
2133-F53 | Intel 80486SX @ 25 MHz | 2 MB | 8×30 Pin FPM | Tseng ET4000 | 512 KB | 129 MB IDE | Canada models, French model |
Post-"DOS in ROM" models
On May 11, 1993, IBM introduced a "new generation" of the PS/1 line.[8] Later PS/1s featured standard LPX-architecture motherboard. Many of these later PS/1s shipped from the factory with MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows, rather than IBM's PC DOS or OS/2. An early 2133 model did come preloaded with OS/2 2.1. This was because IBM targeted OS/2 for high-end computing machines with more power.
Discontinuation
The PS/1 line was discontinued in 1994 and replaced with the Aptiva line, which was architecturally very similar to the later models of the PS/1, but with a more marketing-friendly name. Aptivas were sold in the United States until early 2000, when price pressures made the line unprofitable and IBM withdrew from the retail desktop PC market entirely.
See also
- IBM PC
- IBM PC compatible (IBM PC clone)
- List of IBM products
- PS/2
- ThinkPad
- ThinkCentre
- IBM Aptiva
References
- ^ Lewis, Peter H. (1993-10-12). "PERSONAL COMPUTERS; I.B.M. Puts More Power in PS/1's". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
- ^ Ed Scannell (2 July 1990). PS/1 Targets Elusive Market. InfoWorld. Vol. 12. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. p. 8. ISSN 0199-6649.
- ^ a b Jonathan Matzkin (17 December 1991). Are Home PCs Good Enough For Your Friends?. PC Magazine. Vol. 10. Ziff Davis, Inc. p. 195. ISSN 0888-8507.
- ^ PS/1 - 2121 System Information, Document ID: MWER-3S2UQG
- ^ PS/1 - After installing MS-DOS 6.22, can I restore my 4-quadrant menu screen? Document ID: DETR-3UFPEY
- ^ "PS/1 - 2133 18A/21C/23C/52D (SL-B) Service parts". IBM. 1999-03-08. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ^ "Hardware Maintenance Service for PS1 computer (Machine Types 2133, 2155, and 2168)". IBM Corporation. March 1993. 63G2028.
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(help). - ^ Lewis, Peter H. (1993-05-11). "PERSONAL COMPUTERS; From Stepchild to Favorite Son". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-07-01.