Manufacturer: IBM
Machine Type: PS/1
Model Number: 2011-C34
Serial Number: 23-5121015
Model Number for CRT: 53F5798
Serial Number for CRT: 23-0154437
Current Status: Excellent condition. Complete and working.
Acquired: Oct 1999
Remarks:
The IBM PS/1 was an attempt to make a complete turnkey consumer PC system available for the general populace. The PS/2 line was pretty much designed for the corporate computer world and didn't have much user friendliness to offer. The PS/1 was developed to be ready to use, right out of the box. As an example, all PS/1 models came with 2400bps modems (higher speeds+fax capabilities in later models) which allowed PS/1 users to access the IBM club for computer help, All PS/1s also came with preloaded software and applications, user's guides and owner's manuals and a mouse. The early models were proprietary, but the later 386 and 486 models used a more standard form factor and parts. The 2011 series is the first generation PS/1 and used a special monitor which had the computer's power supply built into it. The computer also has DOS in ROM so the computer boots quickly and can be reconfigured to boot from the hard drive as well. By default, the computer loads a 4 quadrant screen, giving the user an easy to choose menu. An interesting fact about these early models was that even the autoexec.bat and config.sys files were set up so that they would not show when booting; the first thing the customer would see is the 4-quad screen. This was to give a PS/1 owner a good overall out-of-the-box experience. Computers were/are deemed overly complicated and the PS/1 was specifically designed to get around that issue.
The particular model featured has a colour monitor and a 30meg hard drive as indicated by the C34 model type. 1 meg of memory was standard. While the machine was compact, it had limited expandability. IBM developed a 5.25 drive and a ACU (adaptor card unit) to allow aftermarket cards to be installed and this 2011-C34 has both options. The original software still resides on the hard drive and the unit functions perfectly. Though not quite 10 years old, the PS/1 was the start of IBM's consumer division and led the way to the current IBM Aptiva line.
PS/1 setup files
4QUAD6-2.EXE Allows the 4quad screen to be used when upgrading DOS
CONFIGUR.EXE BIOS setup program
CUSTOMIZ.EXE This program lets you setup startup options
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