IBM 5170 / PC AT

 Home > Browse Our Collection > Computers > IBM > IBM 5170 / PC AT
 

The IBM 5170 or PC AT was IBM's second generation PC (if you consider the XT an extension of the original PC). It was introduced in 1984 and included several "new" features such as a 6 MHz Intel 80286 processor, a 1.2MB 5.25" floppy drive and an improved keyboard. The typical AT sold with a 20 or 30 MB hard drive and 512K of RAM.

The IBM PC AT was the successor of the PC and the XT. IBM added a lot of new features: they abandoned the old Intel 8086 to the Intel 80286, so the PC AT used new 16 bit expansion slots.

The PC AT had a new version of the Microsoft OS: MS-DOS 3.0 which could manage the new 5.25" floppy disk format (1.2 MB), the new hard disk capacities (20 MB and more) and allowed file sharing. It had a new keyboard too (the same we use now, more or less) with cursor keys and a key that could lock it.

Two models were launched: the PC-AT model 1 (256 KB RAM, two floppy disk units and a color screen) and the PC-AT Model 2 (512 KB RAM, one floppy disk unit, one hard disk and a color screen). Our unit is the Model 1.

This computer was revolutionary, but it was the last time IBM imposed a standard to the PC clone industry. The next year, the first PC based on a 80386 was made by Compaq and IBM failed to impose the PS/2 standard in 1986.

Manufacturer: IBM
Date: 1984



Comment on This Page

IBM 5170 / PC AT Articles:

Item Manufacturer Date
Memories - Me and My Toys Jun 2009

Other Systems Related To IBM 5170 / PC AT:

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 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 30 286 IBM April 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 CH2854. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

IBM 5170 / PC AT


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