IBM PS/2 Model 76
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Personal computers |
| Predecessor | IBM PC |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) |
| Fate | Discontinued original IBM PC range |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Personal computers (desktops, towers, all-in-one systems, portables, laptops, notebooks) |
| Owner | IBM |
| Parent | 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 represented IBM's second generation of PCs, succeeding the original IBM PC range, which was discontinued following the PS/2 launch in April 1987. The majority of PS/2 models incorporated IBM's proprietary Micro Channel architecture (MCA) bus—a closed standard designed to help IBM reassert dominance in the personal computer industry. Nevertheless, certain entry-level units continued to use the widely adopted Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus from earlier PC generations. The PS/2 family encompassed a diverse range of form factors, including desktops, towers, all-in-one systems, portables, laptops, and notebooks.
Notes
- Legend
- Explanatory notes
- Models with IBM part numbers (P/N) assigned for sales outside North America are not included.
- Unless specified otherwise, integrated or optional displays are CRT monitors.
- The Space Saving Keyboard is a compact 87-key variant of the Model M keyboard lacking a numeric keypad.
- The Model 25 Collegiate was aimed at college students, featuring dual 720 KB floppy drives, maximum RAM of 640 KB, and bundled with the official PS/2 Mouse, Windows 2.0, and floppy disks.
- Financial workstation variants were equipped with a 50-key function keypad tailored for banking software.
- LS models ("LAN Stations") were diskless workstations without floppy or hard disks, connecting through Ethernet or Token Ring adapters.
- Ultimedia configurations included microphones, SCSI CD-ROM drives, M-Audio sound cards, volume controls, and front headphone/microphone jacks.
- Array models functioned as PS/2 Servers supporting RAID arrays.
Primary models
| Model | IBM P/N | Processor | Clock speed (MHz) |
Bus | Number of slots |
Number of drive bays |
FDD | HDD | Standard 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 SX | 8525-K00 | Intel 386SX | 20 | ISA, 16-bit | 3 | 2 | one 1.44 MB | none | 1 MB | 16 MB | VGA | 12-inch color | All-in-one | Template:Date table sorting | |||
| 30 286 | 8530-E01 | Intel 80286 | 10 (1 w) | ISA, 16-bit | 3 | 2 | one 1.44 MB | none | 512 KB | 4 MB | VGA | optional | Desktop | Template:Date table sorting | |||
| (A selection from the extensive IBM PS/2 series including Models such as the 40, 50, 55, 56, 57, 60, and 65 along with premium Models like the 70, 76, and 77. These featured various Intel processors spanning from the Intel 8086 through to the Intel i486DX4. They supported either Micro Channel architecture (MCA) or Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) buses and offered diverse RAM and storage options. Video adapters ranged from MCGA to XGA-2 across multiple form factors including all-in-one units and desktop towers.) | |||||||||||||||||
PS/2 Server
| 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 | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server 85 | 9585-0X6 | Intel 486SX | 33 | MCA, 32-bit | 8 | 7 | single 2.88 MB | 104 MB (SCSI) | 8 MB | 64 MB | SVGA | optional | Tower | Template:Date table sorting | |
| Server 85 | 9585-0X9 | Intel 486SX | 33 | MCA, 32-bit | 8 | 7 | single 2.88 MB | 160 MB (SCSI) | 8 MB | 64 MB | SVGA | optional | Tower | Template:Date table sorting | |
| Server 85 | 9585-0XA | Intel 486SX | 33 | MCA, 32-bit | 8 | 7 | single 2.88 MB | 208 MB/212 MB (SCSI) | 8 MB | 64 MB | SVGA | optional | Tower | Template:Date table sorting | |
| Server 85 | 9585-0XD | Intel 486SX | 33 | MCA, 32-bit | 8 | 7 | single 2.88 MB | 320 MB (SCSI) | 8 MB | 64 MB | SVGA | optional | Tower | Template:Date table sorting |
| Model | IBM P/N | Processor | Clock speed (MHz) | Bus | Slots | Drive bays | FDD | HDD | Default RAM | Max RAM | Video adapter | Monitor | Form factor | Release date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected additional PS/2 Server models | ||||||||||||||||
- The PS/2 Server family employed the Micro Channel architecture bus to deliver improved data throughput and expansion capabilities.
- Expansion slot counts generally ranged from eight to twelve, complemented by multiple bays for flexible storage solutions.
- Processors included Intel models from i486SX and i486 up to Pentium CPUs, operating between33 MHz and66 MHz.
- Memory configurations varied from default RAM sizes of8MB or16MB up to a maximum capacity of256MB.
- Storage options consisted of SCSI hard drives scaling from104 MB to several gigabytes, with support for RAID setups.
- All units featured a tower design with optional SVGA display support.
- Premium versions were preloaded with IBM LAN Server or Novell NetWare software tailored for enterprise networking needs.
This lineup was designed for corporate clients seeking expandable server systems with strong processing power and versatile storage options throughout the early to mid-1990s.
Portables
| Model | IBM | Processor | Clock speed |
Bus | Number of slots |
Number of drive bays |
Base |
Maximum |
Video adapter | Display | Form factor | Release date | Remarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P70 | 8573-031 | Intel 386 | 16 MHz | MCA, 32-bit | 2 (1 16-bit, 1 32-bit) | 0 | one 1.44 MB | 30 MB | 2 MB | 8 MB | VGA | Monochrome gas plasma | Portable | Features slot for optional i387 math co-processor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| P70 | 8573-061 | Intel 386 | 20 MHz | MCA, 32-bit | 2 | 0 | one 1.44 MB | 60 MB | 2 MB | 8 MB | VGA | Monochrome gas plasma | Portable | Supports optional i387 co-processor via dedicated slot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| P70 | 8573-121 | Intel 386 | 20 MHz | MCA, 32-bit | 2 | 0 | one 1.44 MB | 120 MB | 2 MB | 8 MB | VGA | Monochrome gas plasma | Portable | Equipped with slot for optional i387 co-processor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| P75 | 8573-161 | Intel 486 | 33 MHz | MCA, 32-bit | 4 | 0 | one 1.44 MB | 160 MB | 4 MB | 16 MB | VGA | Monochrome gas plasma | Portable | 'SCSI controller integrated on planar board' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| P75 | 8573-401 | Intel 486 | 33 MHz | MCA,32-bit | 4 | 0 | one1.44MB | 400MB | 4MB | 16MB | VGA | Monochrome gas plasma | Portable | 'SCSI controller integrated on planar board' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L40 SX | 8543-A44 | Intel386SX | 20 MHz | ISA,16-bit | 0 | 0 | one1.44MB | 60MB | 2MB | 18MB | VGA | Monochrome LCD | Laptop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IBM PS/2 N51SX | 8551-033 | i386SX | 16 MHz | Proprietary bus interface | 2 | one1.44MB | 40MB | 2MB | 10MB | Video Graphics Array | Monochrome LCD | Notebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(Note: Some entries have been omitted to concentrate on principal models; comprehensive technical specifications are available from original documentation.) Related systemsAcademic System Academic System Academic System (The remaining Academic System entries have been excluded here due to their similar characteristics with minor differences in memory and storage.) Clinical Workstation 7690 Intel8086 8 MHz (zero wait states) style="background:#FCC" ISA,8-bit bus 4 slots 0 drive bays one1.44MB floppy drive No hard disk included 640 KB base RAM Up to8 MB maximum RAM Multi-Color Graphics Array (MCGA) Monochrome LCD display Mobile workstation form factor September1989 Designed as a mobile workstation for healthcare applications using Model25 system board and Model30 firmware; pairs with IBM7496 Executive Workstation. EduQuest Thirty 9603 IBM386SLC 25 MHz style="background:#CFC" ISA,16-bit bus 4 expansion slots 2 drive bays one1.44MB floppy disk 30 MB IDE hard drive 1–4 MB base RAM 20 MB max RAM SVGA video adapter 14-inch color monitor All-in-one design March1993 Adapted from Model25 for educational use, includes optional sound card; later versions omit IBM logo badge. EduQuest Forty-fifty series (9604,9605) and Thirty-cs/Fifty-cs (9606,9608) (Processor options: Intel486SX, Cyrix Cx486SLC2, Intel486DX2; clock speeds between25–33 MHz) ISA,16-bit bus; comparable specifications with IDE drives approximately30MB, SVGA graphics,14-inch color displays; all-in-one form factor; released1993–1994 targeting educational institutions with optional sound cards and later models without IBM branding. EduQuest Thirty-five / Fifty-five / Forty-five (9613/9615/9614) (Featuring Cyrix Cx486SLC2 and Intel486 CPUs; clock rates from25 up to100 MHz) ISA bus at16 bits; IDE drives supporting up to540MB capacity; SVGA graphics;14-inch color monitors; all-in-one construction; launched1994–1995; Fifty-five model offers six processor choices; focused on education market. Executive Workstation 7496 Intel8086 8 MHz (zero wait states) style="background:#FCC" ISA,8-bit bus 3 expansion slots 0 drive bays one720 KB floppy disk No hard disk 640 KB base RAM 640 KB maximum RAM MCGA video adapter Monochrome display All-in-one form factor September1989 Purpose-designed all-in-one system for healthcare sector using Model30 motherboard; intended to work alongside IBM7690 Clinical Workstation. GE Fanuc Workmaster II 7186 Intel386 16 MHz style="background:#CCF" MCA,32-bit bus No expansion slots No drive bays one1.44MB floppy disk 30 MB ESDI hard disk 2 MB base RAM Up to8 MB maximum RAM VGA video output Monochrome gas plasma display Portable design March1990 Ruggedized industrial variant of PS/2 P70 branded by General Electric Fanuc for portable PLC programming applications. Industrial Computer series (models:7552,7541,7542,7561,7562,7546,7568) Processors ranging from Intel80286 up to i486DX2; clock speeds between10 and50 MHz Bus architectures include MCA (both16-/32-bit), ISA (16-bit), and hybrid configurations Expansion capability up to eight slots/modules Drive bay support includes up to four devices such as floppy disks and hard drives (ST-506, ESDI, SCSI) Memory ranges from512 KB up to16 MB on motherboard or expansion cards Graphics adapters include VGA or EGA options; optional monitors available Form factors include benchtop and rack-mount ruggedized industrial PCs Manufactured between1986 and1991 Noteworthy for early adoption of MCA in industrial environments prior to official PS/2 launch and modular "Gearbox" design enabling adaptable factory configurations. Personal Typing System series (models6901-001 through -006 & Personal Typing System/2 variants) CPUs include Intel8086 and Intel80286 running at speeds of8–10 MHz Bus type primarily ISA with mostly8-bit implementations and some16-bit variants Expansion slots range from none up to two depending on model Standard dual floppy drives with optional hard disks up to30 MB using ST-506 or ESDI interfaces Memory configurations from standard640 KB up to1 MB RAM Video adapters vary between MCGA and VGA depending on model Displays include monochrome or color screens sized12 to14 inches Desktop form factor tailored for word processing and office productivity tasks Released during1987–1989 Designed for business users needing dedicated word processing hardware integrated with networking capabilities and printing peripherals such as Wheelwriter and Quietwriter devices.
See alsoReferences |