IBM PS/2 Model 30 286

 Home > Browse Our Collection > Computers > IBM > IBM PS/2 Model 30 286
 

The IBM Personal System/2 or PS/2 was IBM's third generation of personal computers. The PS/2 line, released to the public in 1987, was created by IBM in an attempt to recapture control of the PC market by introducing an advanced proprietary architecture. Although IBM's considerable market presence ensured the PS/2 would sell in relatively large numbers, the PS/2 architecture ultimately failed in its bid to return control of the PC market to IBM. Due to the higher costs of the closed architecture, customers preferred competing PCs that extended the existing PC architecture instead of abandoning it for something new.

Terry Muldoon has written to us with following correction and comments:
"The PS/2 Model 30 was the one model of PS/2 that did not have Micro Channel Architecture.it had a PC AT bus.  Second it did not have VGA graphics it had MCGA (Multicolour Graphics Array).

The Micro Channel boxes announced at the time (April 2nd 1987) were: the Model 50 (i286 desktop), Model 60 (i286 Tower) and Model 80 (i383 Tower). I know this as fact because I was IBM UK's Micro Channel Architecture Specialist (trained and tutored in Boca Raton by Chet Heath) at the time of announcement.  In fact, as I write this moment I'm looking at the award that I was given at the time." November 2010

The OS/2 operating system was introduced with the PS/2 line and was intended as its "native" OS, although PC-DOS was also supported. IBM also released AIX PS/2, a Unix-like operating system for PS/2 models with Intel 386 or later processors. Windows was another option for PS/2.

Release date was April, 1987 with an 8 MHz Intel 8086 CPU

Our machine is complete, original and  in perfect working order; has a 20Mb  HDD, 3.5" FDD, 1024Kb (1Mb) of RAM, and a black and white monitor. The original keyboard has gone but it has its own. It also has the original IBM manuals with software on 3.5" and 5.25" floppies, WordPerfect word-processing software and manuals and the original warranty, setup guide and engineers check report.

Model 30/286 Type 8530-H21

This was very kindly donated by Peter Dickinson.

Manufacturer: IBM
Date: April 1987



Comment on This Page

Other Systems Related To IBM PS/2 Model 30 286:

Item Manufacturer Date
IBM System 370 Control Panel IBM 1970
IBM 129 Key Punch IBM 1971
IBM 370/138 IBM 30th June 1976
IBM Displaywriter IBM 1980
IBM 5150 with CGA Monitor IBM 1981
IBM 5161 IBM 1981
IBM 5150 IBM 1st September 1981
IBM 5160 XT IBM 1st January 1983
IBM PC Jr 4860-067 IBM 1st November 1983
IBM 5170 / PC AT IBM 1984
IBM 5155 Portable Computer IBM 1st June 1984
IBM Personal Computer XT Model 286 IBM 1986
IBM 5140 Convertible Computer IBM April 1986
IBM PS/2 Model 50 IBM 1987
IBM PS/2 Model 50 Z IBM 1987
IBM PS/2 Model 30 (Dual FD) IBM April 1987
IBM PS/2 Model 30 (FD/HD) IBM April 1987
IBM PS/2 Model 80 (8580-071) IBM 2nd April 1987
IBM PS/2 Model 55 SX IBM October 1987
IBM PS/2 Model 55SX IBM October 1987
IBM RS/6000 Model 550L IBM 1990
IBM Model 8573-121 IBM January 1990
IBM RS/6000 320 IBM 15th February 1990
IBM PS/2 Model 90 (9590) IBM 1991
IBM PS/2 Note IBM 1991
IBM PS/2 Model 95 (8595) IBM 1991
IBM PS/1 Pro - Model 2123 IBM 1992
IBM PS/2 Multimedia Model 75 (M75) 486SLC2 IBM 1992
IBM RISC System/6000 250 IBM 1993
IBM PS/2 E IBM 1993
IBM ThinkPad 2523-710T IBM 1993
IBM Aptiva IBM September 1994
IBM 5494 IBM 25th November 1994 to 21st December 1999
IBM ThinkPad 701CS IBM 1995
IBM ThinkPad 755CEX IBM March 1995
IBM ThinkPad 365XD IBM 1996
IBM RS/6000 SP2 Type 7025 IBM 1996
IBM Personal Computer 730 - P75 IBM 1997
IBM RS/6000 Model 7043 604e IBM 1998
IBM Aptiva 2176 IBM September 1998
IBM 8363 NetVisa Thin Client IBM November 2000
IBM ThinkPad R30 2656 IBM 2001
IBM Thinkpad 2628-STG IBM 2001
IBM ThinkPad T30 IBM 2002
IBM ThinkPad X41 IBM 2005

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH2585. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

IBM PS/2 Model 30 286

  Software Archive   [2]
  Peripherals   [23]

Click on the Image(s) For Detail


Articles

Help support the museum by buying from the museum shop

View all items

Founding Sponsors
redgate Google ARM Real VNC Microsoft Research
Heritage Lottery Funded
Heritage Lottery Fund
Accredited Museum