Search
  • Videos
  • 5G
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • Tech Pro
  • more
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Log In to ZDNET
    • Join ZDNet
    • About ZDNet
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • 5G
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • Innovation
    • Security
    • Tech Pro
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Log In to ZDNET
      • Join ZDNet
      • About ZDNet
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

IBM PC: The beginnings of the PC revolution and MS-DOS (photos)

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
  • The original IBM 5150 with peripherals

    The original IBM 5150 with peripherals

    The original IBM 5150, the personal computer  made its debut at a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York on August 12, 1981. The IBM 5150 not only kicked off the PC industry, it propelled a company from nowhere to become the dominant force of the tech industry - Microsoft.

    For more, read the story by CNET News' Jay Green on the launch of the IBM 5150 and ZDNet's blog on the birthday of MS-DOS by Adrian Kingley-Hughes.

    Plus, look back at the early days of the PC with Ed Bott's My life before Windows and Jason Perlow's 1991's  PC technology was unbelievable.

    Photo by IBM

    Captions by CNET News' Jay Greene and ZDNet's Andy Smith

    .

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • The IBM 5150 in the office

    The IBM 5150 in the office

    The IBM 5150 personal computer was powered by an Intel 8088 processor and contained 40K of read-only memory and 16K of user memory. It had 5 expansion slots for extras such as memory and game paddles. Its basic setup cost $1,565 - down from the $9 million cost of a computer two decades before, according to IBM.

    Surrpisingly, the personal computer had color/graphics capability. An option was a color monitor with 16 foreground and background colors and 256 characters for text applications.

    Other options included a two-direction printer that could print 80 characters per minute and multiple 32K and 64K memory cards that could be plugged into the option slots to increase memory to 256K.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    In 1980, after negotiations with Digital Research broke down, IBM contracted a small company called Microsoft to build an operating system for the IBM 5150. Microsoft then purchased a license for 86DOS, aka Quick and Dirty Operating System (QDOS), for $25,000 from Seattle Computer Products in December 1980. It was successfully adapted for the IBM PC. Microsoft then bought full rights to the whole software product in July 1981 for $50,000 and renamed it MS-DOS. IBM licensed the product under the name of PC-DOS in the IBM 5150.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • The father of the PC

    The father of the PC

    Don Estridge, later called "the father of the PC," led the team at IBM that developed the 5150, the personal computer that sparked the PC revolution.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    In 1980 at the age of 24, the "father of DOS" Tim Patterson wrote the Quick and Dirty Operating System or 86DOS for Seattle Computer Products in four months - hence the name. He also helped Microsoft adapt it for the IBM 5150 and worked the first of this three stints with the company from May 1981 to April 1982.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Marketing the dawn of the PC era

    Marketing the dawn of the PC era

    An advertisement for the IBM 5150 noted: "IBM believes that the age of the personal computer has arrived."

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Rapid development stoked by competitive fears

    Rapid development stoked by competitive fears

    IBM sped up development of the 5150 personal computer, worried about the encroachment of the popular Apple II into homes and businesses.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • IBM partners with Microsoft

    IBM partners with Microsoft

    IBM turned to a young company, Microsoft, and its co-founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates, for the operating system for the 5150. This photo was shot shortly after Microsoft signed the contract with IBM. The image was featured in the Seattle Business Journal's October 19, 1981 article, "Building on success, Microsoft owners shoot for $100 million target."

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    Guess who?

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    An advertisement for MS-DOS 1.0, the operating system that got its start on the IBM 5150 and was used on the so-called clone PCs.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    A typical DOS command.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

    A DOS memory check.

    Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
  • The original IBM 5150 with peripherals
  • The IBM 5150 in the office
  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses
  • The father of the PC
  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses
  • Marketing the dawn of the PC era
  • Rapid development stoked by competitive fears
  • IBM partners with Microsoft
  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses
  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses
  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses
  • Microsoft sells its operating system to the masses

The IBM 5150 not only kicked off the PC industry, it propelled a company from nowhere to dominate the tech industry.

Read More Read Less

The original IBM 5150 with peripherals

The original IBM 5150, the personal computer  made its debut at a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York on August 12, 1981. The IBM 5150 not only kicked off the PC industry, it propelled a company from nowhere to become the dominant force of the tech industry - Microsoft.

For more, read the story by CNET News' Jay Green on the launch of the IBM 5150 and ZDNet's blog on the birthday of MS-DOS by Adrian Kingley-Hughes.

Plus, look back at the early days of the PC with Ed Bott's My life before Windows and Jason Perlow's 1991's  PC technology was unbelievable.

Photo by IBM

Captions by CNET News' Jay Greene and ZDNet's Andy Smith

.

Published: August 11, 2011 -- 04:00 GMT (21:00 PDT)

Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 12 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Hardware PCs Servers Storage Networking Data Centers
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Weird but super useful gadgets

    I seem to be someone who buys things on the off chance that they will be useful at some point down the road. Thile there are many times when it doesn't feel like this pays off, some of the ...

  • Old flames: Products that keep the retro fires burning

    It's no fun when lovers play mind games, but there's no shortage of ways to celebrate one's love of old video games, not to mention other tedh products carrying brands that once flamed ...

  • Tech that stole our heart or broke it

    With Valentine's Day around the corner, ZDNet's contributors and editors were reminded of all the technology they were infatuated with, either in their past or present, as well as ...

  • Valentine's Day gifts: Tech for lovers and friends

    If your partner or friend is tech-obsessed, we've rounded some cool items we think they'll love this Valentine's Day.

  • Last-minute tech gifts and gadgets for your Valentine

    Chocolate and flowers are not the only options this Valentine's Day.

  • Crowdfunding projects that left backers jilted at the altar

    Crowdfunding offers products such as smartwatches, smartphone accessories, and smart printers. Backing them, however, may not always be a smart move. Whether it be to malice, or ...

  • Top 12 Raspberry Pi alternatives (February 2019)

    Here is a selection of single board computers for homebrew projects and automation, with prices starting at only $5. Edited February 2019

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In | Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums