IBM PS/2 Model 25

Last updated

Personal System/2 Model 25
Personal System 2 Model 25.png
An original PS/2 Model 25
Developer International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
ManufacturerIBM
Product family Personal System/2
TypePersonal computer
Release dateAugust 4, 1987;37 years ago (1987-08-04)
CPU
Graphics
Power120/240 VAC ～
Related List of IBM PS/2 models

The Personal System/2 Model 25 and its later submodels the 25 286 and 25 SX are IBM's lowest-end entries in the Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of personal computers. Like its sibling the Model 30, the Model 25 features an Industry Standard Architecture bus, allowing it to use expansion cards from its direct predecessors, the PC/XT and the PC/AT—but not from higher entries in the PS/2 line, which use Micro Channel. Unlike all other entries in the PS/2 line, the Model 25 and its submodels are built into an all-in-one form factor, with its cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor and system board occupying the same enclosure. IBM oriented the Model 25 at home office workers and students. [2]

Contents

Development and release

Case badge on a Model 25 SX 25-sx.jpg
Case badge on a Model 25 SX

IBM unveiled the Model 25 on August 4, 1987. It is the fifth entry of the Personal System/2 range. The first Model 25 is powered by an Intel 8086 running at 8 MHz, roughly twice the speed of the original IBM Personal Computer. [3] A college student-oriented version of the Model 25, the Collegiate, has two 720 KB floppy drives, with a maximum RAM capacity of 640 KB, and was packaged with the official PS/2 Mouse, Windows 2.0, and four blank floppy disks. [4]

In 1990, IBM released the Model 25 286, which upgrades the original to an Intel 80286 running at 10 MHz. [5] In late 1991, IBM's Boca Raton facility, led by José García, developed the Model 25 SX, which features an Intel 80386SX clocked at 20 MHz. This version of the Model 25 was sold only to K–12 schools. [6] The Model 25 series was never officially sold outside of the United States. [7]

IBM neither included nor supported hard disk drives in the original Model 25, although several aftermarket kits were available by late 1987. [8] The later 25 286 and 25 SX were sold with a hard drive as an option. [7] [9]

Reception

Multiple contemporary reviewers compared the Model 25 to Apple's original Macintosh. [2] [10] [11] Stephen Satchell of InfoWorld wrote when he first saw the Model 25 on its announcement: "[M]y immediate impression was that I was looking at a deformed Macintosh. When the stage lights came up, the illusion was shattered and I saw the similarity to the rest of the PS/2 line." [4]

David E. Sanger of The New York Times called the computer perhaps "the most attractive computer" that IBM had ever designed for people who only used their computer for up to a couple hours a day and while a "touch overpriced," it was "relatively inexpensive for an IBM." [2] Sangler and Gus Venditto of PC Magazine were frustrated by the Model 25's lack of a built-in hard disk drive. [2] [11] Venditto wrote that, on launch, contemporary aftermarket hard drives were too large to be installed in either of the computer's two floppy drive bays—with no announcements for a hard drive solution for the Model 25 on the horizon. He also observed that the space for the top ISA slot on the riser is partially obstructed by the CRT monitor, preventing full-height cards from fitting into that slot. On the whole, he appreciated the sturdily built chassis and concluded that the Model 25 was a "well-crafted, fast computer for places where real estate is at a premium." [11]

Submodels

IBM PS/2 Model 25 submodels
ModelIBM P/NProcessorClock speed
(MHz)		BusNo. of
slots 		No. of
drive bays		FDDHDDStock
RAM		Maximum
RAM		Video adapterMonitorForm factorDate introducedNotesRef(s).
258525-001 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22one 720 KBnone512 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. monochromeAll-in-oneAugust 1987Space Saving Keyboard [12]
258525-004 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22one 720 KBnone512 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneAugust 1987Space Saving Keyboard [12]
258525-G01 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22one 720 KBnone512 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. monochromeAll-in-oneAugust 1987 [13]
258525-G04 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22one 720 KBnone512 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneAugust 1987 [13]
25 Collegiate8525-C02 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22two 720 KBnone640 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. monochromeAll-in-oneAugust 1987Space Saving Keyboard [14]
25 Collegiate8525-C05 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22two 720 KBnone640 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneAugust 1987Space Saving Keyboard [14]
25 Collegiate8525-K02 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22two 720 KBnone640 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. monochromeAll-in-oneAugust 1987 [14]
25 Collegiate8525-K05 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22two 720 KBnone640 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneAugust 1987 [14]
25 LS8525-L01 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22one 720 KBnone512 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. monochromeAll-in-oneAugust 1987Token Ring [13]
25 LS8525-L04 Intel 8086 8 (0 w) ISA, 8-bit22one 720 KBnone512 KB640 KB MCGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneAugust 1987Token Ring [13]
25 2868525-006 Intel 80286 10 (1 w) ISA, 16-bit22one 1.44 MBnone1 MB4 MB VGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneOctober 1990Space Saving Keyboard [15]
25 2868525-036 Intel 80286 10 (1 w) ISA, 16-bit22one 1.44 MB30 MB (ST-506)1 MB4 MB VGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneOctober 1990 [15]
25 2868525-G06 Intel 80286 10 (1 w) ISA, 16-bit22one 1.44 MBnone1 MB4 MB VGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneOctober 1990Space Saving Keyboard [15]
25 2868525-G36 Intel 80286 10 (1 w) ISA, 16-bit22one 1.44 MB30 MB (ST-506)1 MB4 MB VGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneOctober 1990
25 SX8525-K00 Intel 386SX 20 ISA, 16-bit32one 1.44 MBnone1 MB16 MB VGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneApril 1992 [6] [9]
25 SX8525-K01 Intel 386SX 20 ISA, 16-bit32one 1.44 MBnone1 MB16 MB VGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneApril 1992Ethernet [6] [9]
25 SX8525-L02 Intel 386SX 20 ISA, 16-bit32one 1.44 MBnone1 MB16 MB VGA 12-in. colorAll-in-oneApril 1992Token Ring [6] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tandy 1000</span> IBM PC compatible home computer system

The Tandy 1000 is the first in a line of IBM PC compatible home computer systems produced by the Tandy Corporation for sale in its Radio Shack and Radio Shack Computer Center chains of stores. Introduced in 1984, the product line was aimed at providing affordable but capable systems for home computing or education, with some of its Tandy specific features like graphics, sound and joystick port making it more appealing for home use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PS/2</span> Second generation of personal computers by IBM

The Personal System/2 or PS/2 is IBM's second generation of personal computers. Released in 1987, it officially replaced the IBM PC, XT, AT, and PC Convertible in IBM's lineup. Many of the PS/2's innovations, such as the 16550 UART, 1440 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk format, 72-pin SIMMs, the PS/2 port, and the VGA video standard, went on to become standards in the broader PC market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM Personal Computer AT</span> IBM personal computer released in 1984

The IBM Personal Computer AT was released in 1984 as the fourth model in the IBM Personal Computer line, following the IBM PC/XT and its IBM Portable PC variant. It was designed around the Intel 80286 microprocessor.

The Commodore PC compatible systems are a range of IBM PC compatible personal computers introduced in 1984 by home computer manufacturer Commodore Business Machines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivetti M24</span> Computer sold by Olivetti in 1983 using the Intel 8086 CPU

The Olivetti M24 is a computer that was sold by Olivetti in 1983 using the Intel 8086 CPU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compaq Deskpro 386</span> PC compatible computers made by Compaq

The Deskpro 386 is a line of desktop computers in Compaq's Deskpro range of IBM PC compatibles. Introduced in September 1986, the Deskpro 386 was the first personal computer to feature Intel's 32-bit 80386 microprocessor. It also marks the first time that a major component of the IBM Personal Computer de facto standard was updated by a company other than IBM themselves—in this case, upgrading from the 80286 processor of the Personal Computer/AT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM Personal Computer XT</span> Personal computer model released in 1983

The IBM Personal Computer XT is the second computer in the IBM Personal Computer line, released on March 8, 1983. Except for the addition of a built-in hard drive and extra expansion slots, it is very similar to the original IBM PC model 5150 from 1981.

The Tandy 3000 is a personal computer introduced by Radio Shack in 1986 based on the 16-bit 8 MHz Intel 80286 microprocessor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PS/2 Model 30</span> 1987 IBM desktop computer

The Personal System/2 Model 30 and Personal System/2 Model 30 286 are IBM's entry-level desktop computers in their Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of personal computers. As opposed to higher-end entries in the PS/2 line which use Micro Channel bus architecture, the Model 30 features an Industry Standard Architecture bus, allowing it to use expansion cards from its direct predecessors, the PC/XT and the PC/AT. The original PS/2 Model 30, released in April 1987, is built upon the Intel 8086 microprocessor clocked at 8 MHz and features the 8-bit ISA bus; the Model 30 286, released in September 1988, features the Intel 80286 clocked at 10 MHz and includes the 16-bit ISA bus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PS/2 Model 50</span> 1987 IBM desktop computer

The Personal System/2 Model 50 is a midrange desktop computer in IBM's Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of personal computers. First released in April 1987, the Model 50 features an Intel 80286 processor running at a clock speed of 10 MHz. In June 1988, the PS/2 Model 50 received an update in the form of the Personal System/2 Model 50 Z, which offered faster RAM, eliminating the insertion of wait states endemic to the original Model 50 and increasing system performance. The Model 50 was the best-selling line of PS/2 for several years, IBM selling over 440,000 units in the first year of its availability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PS/2 Model 55 SX</span> 1987 IBM desktop computer

The Personal System/2 Model 55 SX is a midrange desktop computer in IBM's Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of personal computers. First released in May 1989, the Model 55 SX features an Intel 386SX processor running at a clock speed of 16 MHz. In October 1990, IBM introduced a diskless workstation version of the Model 55 SX, called the Personal System/2 Model 55 LS. The Model 55 SX was the best-ever selling computer in the PS/2 range, accounting for 23 percent of IBM's PC sales within four months of its introduction. By 1991, the PS/2 Model 55 SX was the best-selling x86-based PC in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PS/2 Model 60</span> 1987 IBM desktop computer

The Personal System/2 Model 60 is a high-end desktop computer in IBM's Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of personal computers. First released in April 1987, the Model 60 features an Intel 80286 processor running at a clock speed of 10 MHz, the same as its midrange counterpart, the Personal System/2 Model 50. Unlike the Model 50, the Model 60 was built into a tower case and featured four more 16-bit MCA expansion slots and an additional drive bay. The Model 60 was IBM's first Intel-based PC built into a tower form factor and was influential in popularizing towers in computer case design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PS/2 Model 70</span>

The Personal System/2 Model 70 386 and Personal System/2 Model 70 486 are midrange desktop computers in IBM's Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of personal computers. The PS/2 Model 70 386, released in April 1987, features an Intel 386 microprocessor clocked between 16 MHz and 25 MHz and features the 32-bit Micro Channel architecture (MCA) bus; the Model 70 486, released in December 1989, features the Intel 486 clocked at 25 MHz and also includes the 32-bit MCA bus. The latter is essentially a Model 70 386 with the 486/25 Power Platform pre-installed; this was a CPU upgrade card for the Model 70 386 released earlier in October 1989 that was the first commercially available product to use the 486 processor. Both editions of Model 70 are housed in the same case as the earlier PS/2 Model 50 from 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PS/2 Model 80</span> 1987 IBM desktop computer

The Personal System/2 Model 80 is a high-end desktop computer in IBM's Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of personal computers. First released in July 1987, the Model 80 features the 32-bit Intel 386 processor running at a clock speed of 16 MHz. The Model 80 was built into a tower case, the same one as its 16-bit counterpart the PS/2 Model 60. It sports several 32-bit MCA expansion slots—the only PS/2 model to sport such slots at the time of its release—and between five to six drive bays. The PS/2 Model 80 was the highest-end PS/2 in the original 1987 line-up and was IBM's first PC based on the 386 processor. The Model 80 received several updates over the course of its lifespan, increasing the computer's hard drive capacity as well as the clock speed of its processor and the maximum supported RAM. IBM discontinued the Model 80 in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zenith SupersPort</span> Line of PC-compatible laptops

The SupersPort is a line of PC-compatible laptops manufactured by Zenith Data Systems and sold from 1988 to 1993. The first two main entries in the SupersPort line included either an Intel 80286 microprocessor clocked at 12 MHz or an 8088 processor clocked at 8 or 4.77 MHz, switchable. Later entries included the 386SX, 486SX and 486 processors. The SupersPort 286 in particular was one of the top-selling laptops of the late 1980s, although Zenith's position in this segment faltered by the early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aox Inc.</span> American technology corporation

Aox Inc. was a privately run American technology corporation founded by Michael and Linda Aronson in 1978. Over the course of its 22-year lifespan, the company chiefly developed software and hardware for IBM's PC and compatibles, for the Personal System/2, and for the Macintosh. In its twilight years, the company designed multimedia and teleconferencing devices and chip designs. Aox was founded after Michael Aronson graduated from Harvard University with a doctorate in physics; he stayed with the company until 2000, when he incorporated EndPoints Inc. and switched to full-time fabless semiconductor design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumulus Corporation</span> American computer company

Cumulus Corporation was an American computer peripheral and system manufacturer active from 1987 to 1993. Based in Beachwood, Ohio and started by Tecmar founder Martin Alpert, the company set out to exclusively manufacture expansion products for IBM's Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of computers—mainly RAM expansion cards. It later released cross-platform CPU upgrade cards and memory expansion cards for other platforms besides the PS/2. Beginning in 1990, the company began trading as Cumulus Computer Corporation and began releasing complete systems of their own. Initially a success story for the tech industry in Cleveland, a botched stock launch in 1992 proved disastrous for the company's ailing cash flow situation, and in 1993 the company was liquidated amid massive debt to suppliers and lenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compaq LTE (1st generation)</span>

The LTE, LTE/286, and LTE/386s were a series of notebook-sized laptops manufactured by Compaq from 1989 to 1992. The three laptops comprise the first generation of the LTE line, which was Compaq's second attempt at a laptop following the SLT in 1988 and their first attempt at a truly lightweight portable computer. The LTE line proved highly popular—Compaq selling hundreds of thousands of units between the three—and gave way to successive generations of the line, including the LTE Lite, the LTE Elite, and the LTE 5000 series. With its use of industry-standard floppy and hard drive technologies, the LTE was the first commercially successful IBM PC–compatible notebook and helped launch the fledgling PC notebook industry, which had seen earlier attempts fail due to the use of novel but nonstandard data storage.

References

  1. ↑ Sandler, Corey; Donald Kennedy (1989). Insider's Guide to the IBM PS/2. Scott Foresman. p. 66. ISBN   9780673381712 – via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Sanger, David E. (August 9, 1987). "I.B.M. Learns from the Macintosh". The New York Times: A12 – via ProQuest.
  3. ↑ Hillkirk, John; Mark Lewyn (August 4, 1987). "Tandy, IBM target school, home market". USA Today. Gannett Company: 1B – via ProQuest.
  4. 1 2 Satchell, Stephen (August 17, 1987). "Short Looks: IBM PS/2 Model 25". InfoWorld. 9 (33). IDG Publications: 44 – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ Marburg, Robert (December 24, 1990). "IBM debates AT-bus PS/2 plans for '91". PC Week. 7 (51). Ziff-Davis: 6 – via Gale.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Lunan, Charles (January 1992). "IBM Goes After School Computer Market". Sun Sentinel. Tribune Publishing Company. p. D3 – via ProQuest. On Tuesday, IBM released the first product developed by [Jose] Garcia's team: the Model 25 SX. The new model uses the same Intel 386SX microprocessor ... to run the graphics-rich software popular with teachers. It will be able to display up to 256 different colors and come standard with connections for overhead projection systems and computer networks. IBM said the new models would become available in April at $1,249 to $1,899.
  7. 1 2 Staff writer (May 11, 1990). "IBM adds pricey 80286-based PS/2 model 25 in US". Computergram International (1423). GlobalData – via Gale.
  8. ↑ Willmott, Donald P. (December 8, 1987). "Hard Disk Power for the Model 25". PC Magazine. 6 (21). Ziff-Davis: 328 – via Google Books.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Walsh, William (June 15, 2005). "IBM PS/2 Model 25SX". Walsh Computer Technology. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  10. ↑ Freiberger, Paul; John Markoff (October 13, 1987). "Apple's Mac emerges as most influential PC". Montreal Gazette: G1 – via ProQuest.
  11. 1 2 3 Venditto, Gus (September 29, 1987). "PS/2 Model 25 Looks Like a Mac, Runs Like a Model 30". PC Magazine. 6 (16). Ziff-Davis: 33–34 – via Google Books.
  12. 1 2 "IBM PS/2 (Model 25) – Technical Specifications". International Business Machines Corporation. 2000. Retrieved September 28, 2021– via Ardent Tool.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "IBM Personal System/2 and IBM Personal Computer Product Reference, Version 4.0" (PDF). International Business Machines Corporation. September 1988. p. 44. Retrieved September 29, 2021– via Bitsavers.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "IBM Personal System/2 and IBM Personal Computer Product Reference, Version 4.0" (PDF). International Business Machines Corporation. September 1988. p. 43. Retrieved September 29, 2021– via Bitsavers.
  15. 1 2 3 "IBM PS/2 (Model 25-286) – Technical Specifications". International Business Machines Corporation. 2000. Retrieved September 28, 2021– via Ardent Tool.

IBM Personal System/2 Model 25 a booklet brochure.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.