IBM 5150 Personal Computer

Name/Title

IBM 5150 Personal Computer

Entry/Object ID

CI-RM-0002

Tags

Microcomputer, computer, IBM

Description

IBM 5150 Personal Computer

Category

Computers

Made/Created

Manufacturer

International Business Machines (IBM)

Date made

August 12, 1981 - April 12, 1987

Other Names and Numbers

Other Names

Name Type

Brand/Product Line Name

Other Name

IBM

Name Type

Model

Other Name

5150 "XT"

Other Numbers

Number Type

Serial Number

Other Number

n/a

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Acquired From

Estate of Ray E. Murray

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Estate of Ray E. Murray

Owner/Agent

Max Law (Son-in-law)

Place

City

Branford

State/Province

Florida

Country

United States

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Acquisition Date

August 20, 2026

General Notes

Note Type

General Notes

Note

The IBM Personal Computer (model 5150), often referred to as the IBM PC, is the first microcomputer released in the IBM PC model line and the basis for the IBM PC compatible de facto standard. Released on August 12, 1981, it was created by a team of engineers and designers at International Business Machines (IBM), directed by William C. Lowe and Philip Don Estridge in Boca Raton, Florida. Powered by an x86-architecture Intel 8088 processor, the machine was based on open architecture and third-party peripherals. Over time, expansion cards and software technology increased to support it. The PC had a substantial influence on the personal computer market; the specifications of the IBM PC became one of the most popular computer design standards in the world. The only significant competition it faced from a non-compatible platform throughout the 1980s was from Apple's Macintosh product line, as well as consumer-grade platforms created by companies like Commodore and Atari. Most present-day personal computers, including the Intel-based Mac computers manufactured from 2006 to 2022, share architectural features in common with the original IBM PC.

Note Type

Object Specific Information

Note

This item is fully functional except for Seagate ST-225 5.25" half height hard drive. This item was purchased from the estate of Ray E. Murray through his son-in-law Max Law as part of Mr. Murray's complete collection of computers, accessories, software and documentation. (More details coming soon.)

Create Date

September 11, 2026

Update Date

September 11, 2026