IBM 5120
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | June 16, 1911 in Endicott, New York, United States |
| Products | IBM 5120 Computing System |
The IBM 5120 Computing System, alternatively referred to as the IBM 5110 Model 3, is a 16-bit microcomputer created by IBM and released in February 1980. Designed as the desktop replacement for the portable IBM 5110, it incorporated dual integrated 8-inch floppy drives with a capacity of 1.2 MB each, a built-in 9-inch monochrome monitor, and came equipped with 32 KB of RAM. An optional external IBM 5114 diskette unit provided an additional pair of 8-inch floppy drives.
This computer came preloaded with both APL and BASIC stored in ROM, which users could select using a toggle switch located on the front panel. The inclusion of APL allowed many business applications originally created for IBM minicomputer systems to function on the 5120.
Description
At its launch, the IBM 5120 was marketed as IBM’s most cost-effective business computer, with prices varying between $9,340 and $23,990 based on the chosen configuration. To cater to office environments, IBM simultaneously introduced six business software packages covering task inventory, billing, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger accounting functions.
In comparison to its predecessor, the IBM 5120 delivered a larger display and enhanced processing capabilities along with significant improvements in user experience:
- More compact desktop design
- Minimized glare on both monitor and keyboard surfaces
- Ergonomic design featuring a sloped bottom form factor
- Palm rest integrated into the keyboard to alleviate arm and shoulder fatigue
These thoughtful design elements earned the IBM 5120 two prestigious industrial design awards, recognized for its aesthetic quality and meticulous craftsmanship.
IBM did not offer built-in LAN connectivity or hard disk drive options for this model. Nevertheless, in 1981, Hal Prewitt, founder of Core International, Inc, developed pioneering hard disk subsystems along with "CoreNet," a LAN software solution that facilitated program and data sharing among IBM 5110 and 5120 machines. By 1984, Core International released PC51 software enabling BASIC programs from the 5100 Series to run unmodified on the IBM PC and compatible systems under PC DOS, while also supporting CoreNet networking across these platforms.