IBM PS/1

The original PS/1 (Model 2011), based on a 10 MHz Intel 80286 CPU, was designed to be easy to set up and use. It featured 512 KB of on-board memory (expandable to 1 MB or 2.5 MB with proprietary memory modules), built-in modem (in American models only) and an optional 30 MB or 40 MB hard disk.

Many years ago, I worked for a distributor of IBM products. The folks at IBM periodically came to our offices to let us know about a new product they were launching and help us launch and distribute the product to our customers who were MicroAge and Compucentre stores.

We had the meeting, they showed us a Powerpoint of the features of the machine and the specifications and software included. They were very proud of this new machine that they considered a breakthrough in Home Computing technology.

At the end of the meeting, the folks from IBM left and we all went back to our own offices. We looked at each other and said; "How will anyone ever fill up a 30mb or 40mb hard disk drive? Why would they have so much storage available? No user will ever fill that drive. And a color screen!

Little did we know. A 40mb hard drive could fit a dozen MP3 songs but at the time, it seemed like enough storage for a complete library. Just looking back on 30 years of progress in the personal computer business. Cheers!