IBM PS/2 Model 56 SX
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Personal computers |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) |
| Headquarters | Armonk , United States |
| Products | Personal computers (desktop, tower, all-in-one, portable, laptop, notebook) |
| Owner | IBM |
The Personal System/2 (PS/2), developed by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), was a series of personal computers introduced in 1987. This lineup marked IBM's follow-up to the original IBM PC family, which was discontinued following the PS/2's debut in April 1987. The majority of PS/2 units utilized the proprietary Micro Channel architecture bus, a standard IBM created to reassert dominance in the personal computer market. Nevertheless, certain entry-level models continued to employ the more common and widely replicated Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus found in earlier IBM PCs. The PS/2 range encompassed various configurations, including desktop systems, tower units, all-in-one designs, portable machines, laptops, and notebooks.
Notes
- Legend
- Clarifications
- Models with IBM part numbers (P/N) designated for sales outside North America are not included.
- Unless otherwise indicated, integrated or optional display units are CRT monitors.
- The Space Saving Keyboard is a compact 87-key version of the Model M without a numeric keypad.
- The Model 25 Collegiate was aimed at university students, featuring dual 720 KB floppy drives, up to 640 KB of RAM, bundled with the official PS/2 Mouse, Windows 2.0, and four blank floppy disks.
- Financial workstation variants incorporated a 50-key function keypad tailored for banking applications.
- LS ("LAN Stations") versions were diskless workstations lacking floppy or hard disk drives, connecting through Ethernet or Token Ring network adapters.
- Ultimedia models came equipped with microphones and included SCSI CD-ROM drives, M-Audio sound cards, volume control knobs, as well as front-mounted headphone and microphone jacks.
- Array models served as PS/2 Servers featuring RAID support.
Primary Series
- |9533 - |IBM 486SLC2 - |50 - |style="background:#CFC" | ISA,16-bit - |4 (PC Card) - |1 - |one1.44 MB - |350 MB/none (IDE) - |4 MB - |16 MB - |Extended Graphics Array-2 (XGA-2) - |optional CRT/LCD - |Small form factor desktop - |Template:Date table sorting\ - || Model | IBM P/N | Processor | Clock speed (MHz) |
Bus | Number of slots |
Number of drive bays |
FDD | HDD | Default RAM |
Maximum RAM |
Video adapter | Monitor | Form factor | Release date | Notes | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 8525-001 | Intel 8086 | 8 (0 w) | ISA, 8-bit | 2 | 2 | one 720 KB | none | 512 KB | 640 KB | MCGA | 12-inch monochrome | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting | Space Saving Keyboard | |
| 25 | 8525-004 | Intel 8086 | 8 (0 w) | ISA, 8-bit | 2 | 2 | one 720 KB | none | 512 KB | 640 KB | MCGA | 12-inch color | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting | Space Saving Keyboard | |
| IBM PS/2 Model 25 Collegiate | 8525-C02 | Intel 8086 | 8 (0 w) | ISA, 8-bit | 2 | 2 | two 720 KB | none | 640 KB | 640 KB | MCGA | 12-inch monochrome | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting | ||
| IBM PS/2 Model 25 286 | 8525-006 | Intel 80286 | 10 (1 w) | ISA, 16-bit | 2 | 2 | one 1.44 MB | none | 1 MB | 4 MB | Video Graphics Array (VGA) | 12-inch color | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting |
PS/2 Server
Server 85 9585-0XD Intel 486SX 33 style="background:#CCF" | MCA, 32-bit 8 7 one 2.88 MB ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...| Model | IBM | Processor | Clock speed |
Bus | Number of slots |
Number of drive bays |
Base |
Maximum |
Video adapter | Display | Chassis type | Release date | Remarks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server 85 | 9585-0X6 | Intel 486SX | 33 | MCA, 32-bit | 8 | 7 | one 2.88 MB | 104 MB | 8 MB | 64 MB | SVGA | optional | Tower | ||
| Server 85 | 9585-0X9 | Intel 486SX | 33 | MCA, 32-bit | 8 | 7 | one 2.88 MB | 160 MB | 8 MB | 64 MB | SVGA | optional | Tower | ||
| Server 85 | 9585-0XA | Intel 486SX | 33 | MCA, 32-bit | 8 | 7 | one 2.88 MB | 208 MB/212 MB | 8 MB | 64 MB | SVGA | optional | Tower |
Portables
IBM PS/2 P75 P75 8573-161 i486 Intel 486 33 style="background:#CCF" Micro Channel architecture MCA, 32-bit 4 slots (two16-bit, two32-bit) 0 drive bays one1.44MB floppy disk 160MB (SCSI) hard disk 4MB RAM base 16MB RAM max Video Graphics Array VGA Monochrome gas plasma display Portable form factor Template:Date table sorting 1990 11 'SCSI controller integrated on planar' IBM PS/2 P75 P75 8573-401 i486 Intel 486 33 style="background:#CCF" Micro Channel architecture MCA, 32-bit 4 slots (two16-bit, two32-bit) 0 drive bays one1.44MB floppy disk 400MB (SCSI) hard disk 4MB base RAM 16MB maximum RAM Video Graphics Array VGA Monochrome gas plasma display Portable chassis Template:Date table sorting 1990 11 'SCSI controller integrated on planar' IBM PS/2 Model L40 SX L40 SX 8543-A44 i386SX Intel386SX 20 style="background:#CFC" Industry Standard Architecture ISA,16-bit 0 slots (1 with AT bus expansion port) 0 drive bays one1.44MB floppy 60MB (IDE) hard disk 2MB base RAM 18MB max RAM Video Graphics Array VGA Monochrome LCD screen Laptop format Template:Date table sorting 1991 03IBM PS/2 N51SX N51SX 8551-033 i386SX Intel386SX 16 style="background:#FFC" Proprietary bus 2 PC Card slots No drive bays one1.44MB floppy disk 40MB (IDE) hard disk storage 2MB standard RAM 10MB maximum RAM Video Graphics Array VGA Monochrome LCD display Notebook form factor Release date not specified IBM PS/2 N51SLC N51SLC 8551-025 IBM386SLC 16 style="background:#FFC" Proprietary bus system Two PC Card slots No drive bays present One1.44MB floppy disk drive 80MB IDE hard disk capacity 2MB base RAM memory 10MB max RAM memory Video Graphics Array VGA Color TFT display panel Laptop design Release date unknown IBM PS/2 N33SX N33SX 8533-A33 i386SX Intel386SX 16 style="background:#FFC" Proprietary bus Two PC Card slots No drive bays One1.44MB floppy disk 40MB IDE hard drive RAM details not specified Monochrome LCD screen Notebook type Release date unspecified IBM PS/2 N33SX N33SX 8533-A35 i386SX Intel386SX 16 style="background:#FFC" Proprietary bus Two PC Card slots No drives One1.44MB floppy 80MB IDE hard disk RAM not listed Monochrome LCD panel Notebook class Date unknown IBM PS/2 Model CL57 SX CL57 SX 8554-045 IBM386SLC 16 style="background:#FFC" Proprietary bus architecture Two PC Card slots No drives installed One1.44MB floppy disk 80MB IDE hard disk capacity 2MB base RAM 16MB max RAM Video Graphics Array VGA Color TFT display Laptop configuration Release date not specified| Model | IBM P/N | Processor | Clock speed (MHz) |
Bus | Number of slots |
Number of drive bays |
FDD | HDD | Standard RAM |
Maximum RAM |
Video adapter | Display type | Form factor | Launch date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P70 | 8573-031 | Intel 386 | 16 | MCA, 32-bit | 2, consisting of one 16-bit and one 32-bit slot | 0 | one 1.44 MB floppy drive | 30 MB (ESDI) | 2 MB RAM standard | Up to 8 MB RAM maximum | VGA | Monochrome gas plasma display | Portable | Template:Date table sorting | Features an expansion slot for optional i387 math co-processor |
| P70 | 8573-061 | Intel 386 | 20 | MCA, 32-bit | 2 (one each of a16-bit and a32-bit) | 0 | one1.44MB floppy drive | 60MB (ESDI) hard disk | 2MB RAM base | 8MB RAM max | Video Graphics Array (VGA) | Monochrome gas plasma display | Portable form factor | Template:Date table sorting | Includes optional slot for the i387 math co-processor |
| P70 | 8573-121 | Intel386 | 20 | Micro Channel architecture (MCA),32-bit | 2 (one16-bit, one32-bit) slots | 0 drive bays | one1.44MB floppy drive | 120MB (ESDI) hard disk capacity | 2MB standard RAM | 8MB maximum RAM | Video Graphics Array (VGA) video adapter | Monochrome gas plasma screen | Portable design | Template:Date table sorting | Supports optional i387 co-processor slot |
Related Systems
... (similar entries for Academic System variants omitted for brevity) ... Clinical Workstation EduQuest Thirty EduQuest Forty EduQuest Fifty EduQuest Thirty-cs EduQuest Fifty-cs EduQuest Thirty-five EduQuest Fifty-five EduQuest Forty-five Executive Workstation GE Fanuc Workmaster II \t7186 \tIntel386 \t16 \tstyle="background:#CCF" \tMCA,32-bit \t0 \t0 \tone1.44MB \t30MB (ESDI) \t2MB \t8MB \tVGA \tMonochrome gas plasma \tPortable \tTemplate:Date table sorting \t1990\t03| Model | IBM P/N | CPU | Operating Frequency (MHz) |
Bus Type | Expansion Slots |
Drive Bays |
FDD | HDD | Default RAM |
Max. RAM |
Graphics Adapter | Display | Chassis Type | Release Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic System | 6152-022 | Intel 80286 ROMP 032 |
10 (286) | MCA, 16-bit | 8 | 4 | single 1.44 MB | 20 MB (ST-506) | 2 MB | 8 MB | VGA | optional | Tower | Template:Date table sorting | Contains ROMP CPU on a daughterboard; cannot operate simultaneously with 286 processor |
| Academic System | 6152-024 | Intel 80286 ROMP 032 |
10 (286) | MCA, 16-bit | 8 | 4 | single 1.44 MB | 20 MB (ST-506) | 4 MB | 8 MB | VGA | optional | Tower | Template:Date table sorting | Equipped with ROMP processor on daughter card; incompatible with concurrent use alongside the 286 CPU |
| Academic System | 6152-044 | Intel 80286 ROMP 032 |
10 (286) | MCA, 16-bit | 8 | 4 | single 1.44 MB | 44 MB (ST-506) | 4 MB | 8 MB | VGA | optional | Tower | Template:Date table sorting | |
| 7690 | Intel 8086 | 8 (0 wait states) | Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), 8-bit | 4 | 0 | single 1.44 MB | none | 640 KB | up to 8 MB | Multi-Color Graphics Array (MCGA) | Monochrome LCD | Mobile workstation | Template:Date table sorting | 'Designed as a specialized portable workstation for healthcare environments; intended to be used alongside IBM 7496 Executive Workstation' | |
| 9603 | IBM 386SLC | 25 | ISA,16-bit | 4 | 2 | single1.44MB | 30MB (IDE) | 1–4MB | 20MB | Super VGA (SVGA) | 14-inch color | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting | 'Education-focused adaptation of Model25; optional sound card available; later units lack IBM branding' | |
| 9604 | Intel486SX | 25 | ISA,16-bit | 4 | 2 | single1.44MB | 30MB (IDE) | 4MB | 20MB | SVGA | 14-inch color | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting | ||
| 9605 | Intel486SX | 25 | ISA,16-bit | 4 | 2 | single1.44MB | 30MB (IDE) | 4MB | 20MB | SVGA | 14-inch color | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting | ||
| 9606 | Cyrix Cx486SLC2 | 25/50 | ISA,16-bit | 4 | 2 | single1.44MB | \u200BUnknown | \u200BUnknown | \u200BUnknown | \u200BSVGA | \u200B14-inch color | \u200BAll-in-one | \u200BTemplate:Date table sorting \u007c1994 | 'Education model based on Model25, featuring optional sound capability' | |
| 9608 | Intel486DX2 | 33 | style="background:#CFC" \u007c ISA,16-bit | \u200B4 | \u200B2 | \u200Bsingle1.44MB | \u200BUnknown | \u200BUnknown | \u200BUnknown | \u200BSVGA | \u200B14-inch color | \u200BAll-in-one | \u200BTemplate:Date table sorting \u007c1994 | ||
| \u200B9613 | \u200BCyrix Cx486SLC2 | \u200B25/50 | \u200Bstyle="background:#CFC" \u007c ISA,16-bit | \u200B4 | \u200B2 | \u200Bsingle1.44MB | \u200B133/256/342MB (IDE) | \u200B4MB | \u200BUnknown | \u200BSVGA | \u200B14-inch color | \u200BAll-in-one | \u200BTemplate:Date table sorting \u007c1994\u007c09 | 'Education-oriented adaptation of Model25 with optional audio hardware; later models released without IBM branding' | |
| \u200B9615 | \u200BIntel486 | \u200B33–100 | \u200Bstyle="background:#CFC" \u007c ISA,16-bit | \u200B4 | \u200B2 | \u200Bsingle1.44MB | \u200B170/360/540MB (IDE) | \u200B4MB | \u200B64MB | \u200BSVGA | \u200B14-inch color | \u200BAll-in-one | \u200BTemplate:Date table sorting \u007c1994\u007c09 | 'Model25 variant tailored for education with optional sound card; offers six processor configurations' | |
| \u200B9614 | \u200BIntel486DX2 | \u200B50 or66 | \u200Bstyle="background:#CFC" \u007c ISA,16-bit | \u200B4 | \u200B2 | \u200Bsingle1.44MB | \u200BUknown | \u200B4MB | \u200BUknown | \u200BSVGA | \u200B14-inch color | \u200Ball-in-one | \u200BTemplate:Date table sorting \u007c1995\u007c09 | 'Education model based on Model25 with optional sound features' | |
| \t7496 | \tIntel8086 | \t8 (0 wait states) | \tstyle="background:#FCC" \tISA,8-bit | \t3 | \t0 | \tsingle720KB | \tnone | \t640KB | \t640KB | \tMCGA | \tMonochrome | \tAll-in-one | \tTemplate:Date table sorting \t1989\t09 | 'Healthcare-focused all-in-one computer designed to complement the IBM7690 Clinical Workstation' | |
| 'Industrial-grade PS/2 P70 system branded by General Electric Fanuc with rugged construction' |