Andrew T.
Experienced Member
Something I've been curious about: What was the first "normal" IBM-compatible computer system? Of course "normal" is arbitrary and can mean a lot of things, but these are the pointers I'm bearing towards:
* It was 100% IBM-compatible. (That eliminates many of the early 808x/8018x DOS systems.)
* It used a legal BIOS. (That eliminates the Columbia and Eagle computers.)
* It was a desktop computer, not a portable. (That eliminates the first Compaq.)
* Its motherboard, case, and power supply used the same form factors as a genuine PC, XT, or AT system. (That may eliminate the first Compaq Deskpro and Leading Edge Model M, since they had front-mounted keyboard plugs.)
What was the first non-IBM system that satisfied all of these?
* It was 100% IBM-compatible. (That eliminates many of the early 808x/8018x DOS systems.)
* It used a legal BIOS. (That eliminates the Columbia and Eagle computers.)
* It was a desktop computer, not a portable. (That eliminates the first Compaq.)
* Its motherboard, case, and power supply used the same form factors as a genuine PC, XT, or AT system. (That may eliminate the first Compaq Deskpro and Leading Edge Model M, since they had front-mounted keyboard plugs.)
What was the first non-IBM system that satisfied all of these?