IBM PC 25th

[Erik]

For those that might be interested, Saturday 8/12/06 marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the IBM PC.

Check out Bruce Damer's Digibarn tribute to this event at:

http://www.digibarn.com/stories/ibm-pc-25/index.html

Include in that page is a video I prepared. Critiques are welcome. (The version on Bruce's site is a bit out of date and will likely be updated soon.)

[atari2600a]

OK, now for a slightly confused critic-comment-thing: What the heck was up w/ the MIDI Classical!? As ironic as it may seem, I listen to classical (over Internet radio), &, IMHO, I think actual classical would probably sound better...

(Hey, who removed my previous, utterly pointless & illogic comment!? )

[Erik]

Well, the "Switched on Bach" album was released in 1981 just about when IBM introduced their machine. I thought the connection was good enough for a match.

[atari2600a]

So...What video editing program did you use? (Please don't say "Windows Movie Maker" *shivers in fear*)

[Luke]

On 8/12/1981 first PC was built or first PC's were shipped?

[Erik]

On 8/12/1981 first PC was built or first PC's were shipped?

On this date in 1981 IBM formally introduced the IBM PC to the world. Shipments of prototypes and early production systems had already been made to aftermarket suppliers and production machines were already filling the pipeline, although early deliveries were slow.

Still, IBM did put probably 10,000 systems into customers hands by the end of the year.

[atari2600a]

Man, that seems slow* by today's standards!

So...man 25 years ago today has IBM set the standard that we still go by to this day...that is teh 1337!

*Slow as in the rate of units sold

[carlsson]

How big was the demand for an IBM PC at its launch? I.e. was 10,000 systems delivered by the end of the year just the icing on the cake, or quite well matching the demand?

[Erik]

How big was the demand for an IBM PC at its launch? I.e. was 10,000 systems delivered by the end of the year just the icing on the cake, or quite well matching the demand?

IBM couldn't come close to meeting demand for at least a year after launch. I remember waiting 3+ months for my PC (ordered in September, delivered on new years day) and hearing stories of people waiting even longer for orders large and small. IBM didn't even start selling internationally until 1983 in part because they couldn't meet US demand.

[atari2600a]

You know, that's kinda embarrassing on IBM's part, I mean, your father was an IBM employee!