Designed for business, school and residential, the simple-to-use system sells for as low as $1,565. It offers many advanced features and, with optional software, may use hundreds of popular application programs.
The IBM Pc may be sold through participating ComputerLand dealers and Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s new business machine stores beginning this autumn. It’ll even be sold through IBM Product Centers and a unique sales unit within the company’s Data Processing Division.
“Here is the pc for nearly everyone who has ever wanted a private system on the office, at the university campus or at home,” said C. B. Rogers, Jr., IBM vp and group executive, General Business Group. “We believe its performance, reliability and straightforwardness of use make it probably the most advanced, affordable notebook computer avaiable for purchase.”
IBM has designed its Pc for the 1st-time or advanced user, whether a businessperson short of accounting help or a student preparing a term paper.
An enhanced version of the favored Microsoft BASIC programming language and simply understood operation manuals are included with every system. They give the opportunity to start using the pc within hours and to develop personalized programs quite easily.
Some of the new system’s highlights are:
Features: Available with the system are an 83-key adjustable keyboard, as much as 262,144 characters of user memory (16,384 standard), a printer that could print in two directions at 80 characters per second, self-testing capabilities that automatically check the system components and a high-speed, 16-bit microprocessor.
Performance: Operating at speeds measured in millionths of a second, the IBM Desktop can generate and display charts, graphs, text and numerical information. Business applications — including accounts receivable and word processing — could be run at the same system with applications covering personal finance and residential entertainment.
Service: The IBM Computer might be serviced by IBM and by a nationwide network of authorized IBM Laptop computer dealers designed to present the high standards of service linked to all IBM products.
Color/Graphics: The capabilities provide users with a text system able to displaying 256 characters in any of 16 foreground and eight background colors. It’s also in a position to displaying graphics in four colors.
Compact Size: The major processor or system unit — concerning the size of a conveyable typewriter — contains expandable memory and a built-in speaker for audio and music applications.
Expandability: A starter system along with a keyboard and system unit may be connected to a house television set with a frequency modulator. It may then be expanded to a system with its own display, printer and auxiliary storage cassettes or diskettes. The pc can be utilized with color or black-and-white television sets. Information from centralized data banks inclusive of Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service* and THE SOURCE* is also accessed and displayed.
The system’s keyboard comes with a six-foot, coiled cable for flexibility. It usually is utilized in the lap or positioned across a desk top without moving the pc itself. The 83 keys make it easy to put in writing and edit text, enter data starting from stock analysis to cooking recipes, figure business accounts, or play games.
The optional IBM display and printer are attachable units. The display has an anti-glare screen, green phosphor characters for reading comfort and controls for brightness and contrast. Automatic flashing and underlining can be utilized to name attention to especially important information at the screen.
The printer provides 12 type styles. Both printer and system unit can run self-diagnostic checks so users can verify that components are functioning properly.
Software for Business and Home
“We intend the IBM Computer to be the foremost useful system of its kind,” Mr. Rogers said. “Besides making it easy to establish and operate, we’re offering a program library that we think will grow with the creativity of the non-public Computer users.”
Mr. Rogers said IBM has established a brand new Computer Software Publishing Department for the system. It’ll publish programs written by IBM employees engaged on their very own time and people accepted from independent software companies and outdoors authors.
Program packages available for the IBM Computer cover popular business and residential applications. For instance, EasyWriter* will store letters, manuscripts and other text for editing or rapid reproduction at the printer. Businesses can use General Ledger, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable by Peachtree Software, Inc. to generate balance sheets, track accounts and automatically print checks.
VisiCalc* is offered for applications starting from financial analysis to budget planning. Microsoft Adventure brings players right into a fantasy world of caves and treasures.
Advanced Operating Systems
IBM, along with Microsoft, Inc., has adapted a sophisticated disk operating system to support IBM Computer programs and software development. It has also contracted with Digital Research, Inc. and SofTech Microsystems, Inc. to evolve the favored CP/M-86* and UCSD p-System* to the non-public Computer. These two systems should provide users with the chance to transfer hundreds of ordinary applications to the IBM Computer with minimal modifications.
The IBM Laptop may be tailored to suit the user’s needs. A basic system for home use attached to an audio tape cassette player and a television set would sell for roughly $1,565, in IBM Product Centers, while a more typical system for home or school with a memory of 64,000 bytes, a single diskette drive and its own display will be priced around $3,005. An expanded system for business with color graphics, two diskette drives and a printer would cost about $4,500.
The IBM Laptop computer was developed on the Information Systems Division’s Boca Raton, Fla, facility and primary deliveries could be scheduled for October.
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