IBM Personal System/2

IBM Personal System/2 (TM)

Advanced Technology, New Operating Systems, Compatibility

Rye Brook, N.Y., April 2, 1987 -- PRN -- IBM today introduced a new generation of personal computing products and programs -- the IBM Personal System/2 (TM).

It represents the broadest range of compatible personal computing systems ever offered. The new processors are packed with IBM-developed technology, powerful graphics capability and a wide range of high-capacity memory and storage devices.

The Personal System/2 family also includes advanced displays and printers, new and enhanced operating systems, and a wide array of other options and software. It is being announced worldwide and supports 11 national languages.

The Personal System/2 was designed as a system. It provides performance and technology value that exceed the sum of its individual elements. It offers compatibility to hundreds of thousands of users of IBM personal computing products. The popular IBM Personal Computer Disk Operating System -- known as PC DOS -- and most of today's IBM Personal Computer software applications will run on the new systems. Many of these applications will also run with the new IBM Operating System/2 (TM) introduced today.

With the Personal System/2, customers can build systems solutions to meet traditional computing requirements today, and prepare for technology that will emerge in the future.

''This announcement represents a turning point in the evolution of personal computing,'' said Edward E. Lucente, IBM vice president and group executive for the company's Information Systems Group. ''In only a few years, the importance of personal computing has expanded dramatically. It has moved from a stand-alone productivity aid for individuals to become an integral part of operating most businesses.

''The Personal System/2 will meet our customers' wide range of requirements from single applications to multitasking, from stand-alone jobs to sharing resources with other users, and from single systems to environments that involve large networks.''

NEW MODELS

The Personal System/2 includes two configurations of the Model 30, based on the Intel 8086 processor; the Model 50 and two configurations of the Model 60, all of which use the Intel 80286 processor; and three configurations of the Model 80, based on the Intel 80386 processor.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES PERFORMANCE

Personal System/2 sets new standards of quality, reliability and serviceability.

The system incorporates a number of technological advances developed in IBM laboratories. For example, up to 80 percent of the Model 80's content was developed by IBM. It features the same 1-million bit memory technology used in larger IBM systems, including the IBM 3090; IBM-unique logic chips complementing the Intel processor; higher-capacity IBM fixed disks; new IBM monochrome and color analog displays; advanced IBM Micro Channel (TM) architecture, IBM's new printers and the same IBM-enhanced keyboard for all models.

IBM-developed technology, as well as fewer components, cable connectors and substantially less power dissipation make the Personal System/2 up to five times more reliable than the original IBM Personal Computer and two to three times more reliable than today's most popular models.

Adapter cards for serial and parallel printer attachments, pointing devices, and new levels of graphics are standard equipment on the Personal System/2. The system is also easy to set up because there are no system switches to set.

The built-in graphics capability, in conjunction with the new IBM displays, generates clearer text, sharper charts and realistic pictures. Users can display up to 256 colors at the same time from a palette of more than 256,000 colors -- and monochrome graphics of up to 64 shades of gray at the same time.

The IBM Micro Channel on the Models 50, 60 and 80 enables up to 32 bits of data to flow to and from the processor. That is twice the capacity of most earlier IBM personal computing products. The Micro Channel allows the system to handle more data and synchronize its entry and exit in much the same way a four-lane highway handles traffic more efficiently than a two-lane road. This enables users to perform several tasks at once without sacrificing efficiency.

NEW OPERATING SYSTEM TAPS GREATER POWER

IBM Personal System/2 customers will have two strategic operating systems from which to choose. Both are designed to take advantage of the capabilities of the Personal System/2.

Available immediately, IBM PC DOS 3.3 supports all of the new systems and all previous models of the IBM Personal Computer. When the new IBM 3270 Workstation Program is used with IBM PC DOS 3.3, the Personal System/2 connects with mainframe systems, supports more memory and provides customers with multitasking support.

Operating System/2, available in the first quarter of 1988, will run on Personal System/2 Models 50, 60 and 80, and is compatible with most applications written for PC DOS.

Operating System/2 is also the first offering of IBM Systems Application Architecture, a common framework for developing and using the same application programs across the broad range of IBM systems.

Prices for the various models of the Personal System/2 range from $1,695 for a two-diskette configuration of the Model 30 to $10,995 for the most powerful Model 80.

All products are available through IBM's North-Central and South-West Marketing divisions, IBM Authorized Advanced Products Dealers and Authorized Advanced Products Value Added Dealers. Selected products are available through Authorized IBM Personal Computer Dealers and Value Added Dealers.

IBM Personal System/2, IBM SolutionPac, IBM Operating System/2, Proprinter, Micro Channel and IBM Personal Computer XT are trademarks of IBM Corp.

IBM Personal Computer AT and Quietwriter are registered trademarks of IBM Corp.

CONTACT -- John M. Bukovinsky of IBM, 201-358-5690