In short
On August 12, 1981, IBM released a desktop computer that cost $1,565 and used an Intel processor instead of IBM's own chips. The decision to rely on outside suppliers and an open architecture turned what could have been just another corporate product into the blueprint for an entire industry—one that would eventually dominate computing for decades.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The IBM Personal Computer, often referred to as the IBM PC, is the first microcomputer released in the IBM PC model line and the basis for the IBM PC compatible de facto standard. Released on August 12, 1981, it was created by a team of engineers and designers at International Business Machines (IBM), directed by William C. Lowe and Philip Don Estridge in Boca Raton, Florida.
As it was happening
14 voices, 2343 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
IBM Greenlight Decision
IBM leadership approves the Personal Computer project, green-lighting Don Estridge's team to develop a consumer-oriented computer using external components.
Voices from this moment (1)
IBM Greenlight Decision
Nov 1
“IBM leadership approves the Personal Computer project,…”
As it was happening
14 voices, 2343 days.
Day 0 · November 1, 1980
IBM Greenlight Decision
IBM leadership approves the Personal Computer project, green-lighting Don Estridge's team to develop a consumer-oriented computer using external components.
“IBM leadership approves the Personal Computer project,…”
- IBM Greenlight Decision, Nov 1
Day 151 · April 1, 1981
Prototype Testing Begins
IBM completes working prototypes of the 5150 model and begins extensive testing ahead of public release.
“IBM completes working prototypes of the 5150 model and…”
- Prototype Testing Begins, Apr 1
Day 284 · August 12, 1981
IBM PC Launch
IBM announces the Personal Computer Model 5150 at a press conference, with systems shipping the same day. Base model includes 16 KB RAM, one floppy drive, and sells for $1,565.
“IBM Enters Personal Computer Market With New Machine”
- The Wall Street Journal, Aug 13
“IBM Bids for Home Computer Sales With August Launch”
- Financial Times, Aug 14
“IBM announces the Personal Computer Model 5150 at a press…”
- IBM PC Launch, Aug 12
Day 288 · August 16, 1981
First IBM PC Shipments
Initial units begin reaching customers. PC World magazine publishes its first review calling it a 'potential industry standard.'
“IBM PC Reviewed: Will It Dominate the Market?”
- InfoWorld, Aug 24
“IBM's Personal Computer: A Technical Breakthrough”
- Byte Magazine, Sep 1
“Initial units begin reaching customers.”
- First IBM PC Shipments, Aug 16
Day 334 · October 1, 1981
DOS Availability
IBM PC-DOS, licensed from Microsoft, becomes available as the primary operating system alongside CP/M-86.
“IBM PC-DOS, licensed from Microsoft, becomes available as…”
- DOS Availability, Oct 1
Day 485 · March 1, 1982
XT Model Announced
IBM releases the XT (eXtended) version with 10 MB hard drive and more processing power, expanding the product line.
“IBM releases the XT (eXtended) version with 10 MB hard…”
- XT Model Announced, Mar 1
Day 1096 · November 2, 1983
PC Clone Manufacturers Emerge
Compaq releases the first PC-compatible computer, followed by numerous other manufacturers who reverse-engineer IBM's architecture, establishing the 'clone' industry.
“Compaq releases the first PC-compatible computer, followed…”
- PC Clone Manufacturers Emerge, Nov 2
Day 1179 · January 24, 1984
Apple Macintosh Launches
Apple releases the Macintosh as a graphically-oriented alternative to the text-based IBM PC, intensifying competition in the personal computer market.
“Apple releases the Macintosh as a graphically-oriented…”
- Apple Macintosh Launches, Jan 24
Day 1613 · April 2, 1985
Microsoft Windows 1.0
Microsoft releases Windows 1.0, a graphical interface for IBM-compatible computers, eventually becoming the dominant OS across the PC ecosystem.
“Microsoft releases Windows 1.”
- Microsoft Windows 1.0, Apr 2
Day 2343 · April 2, 1987
PS/2 Architecture Introduced
IBM announces the PS/2 line with proprietary MCA bus architecture, attempting to recapture market control from clone makers—ultimately unsuccessful.
“IBM announces the PS/2 line with proprietary MCA bus…”
- PS/2 Architecture Introduced, Apr 2
The numbers.
4 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Base Price
$0 (approximately $5,500 in 2024 dollars)
RAM Configuration
0 KB to 256 KB
Storage
0.00-inch floppy disk drive
Initial Production Target
0 units in first five years (vastly exceeded)
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The Wall Street Journal, Byte Magazine, Financial Times.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
4 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
Byte Magazine
Tech press · United States · Sep 1, 1981
"IBM's Personal Computer: A Technical Breakthrough"
Synthesized from period reporting - The IBM PC arrives with an Intel 8088 processor, 64KB of RAM, and open architecture that promises to attract third-party developers. Industry observers see IBM's combination of engineering credentials and retail presence as a potential game-changer.
- Aug 13, 1981
The Wall Street Journal
Newspaper · United States
"IBM Enters Personal Computer Market With New Machine"
IBM's entry into the personal computer market with its new PC model signals the company's ambition to compete in a rapidly growing segment dominated by Apple and Commodore. The machine, priced competitively and backed by IBM's corporate distribution network, could reshape the emerging home computing landscape.
- Aug 24, 1981
InfoWorld
Tech press · United States
"IBM PC Reviewed: Will It Dominate the Market?"
Synthesized from period reporting - Early hands-on testing reveals IBM's PC as a well-engineered machine with serious business applications potential, though its $1,565 starting price positions it above competitors like the Commodore 64. Industry analysts debate whether IBM's corporate backing will translate to market dominance.
- Aug 14, 1981
Financial Times
Newspaper · United Kingdom
"IBM Bids for Home Computer Sales With August Launch"
International Business Machines has entered the personal computer sector with a machine aimed at business users and affluent consumers. The move represents IBM's strategic response to the personal computer boom and underscores competitive pressures facing established technology firms.
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
Wayback Machine snapshots of the pages people actually loaded that day. Click any card to open the archive at full size.
Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.IBM Personal Computer
en.wikipedia.org