
IBM Personal Computer Line (1981-Present)
IBM PC Model 5150 IBM’s first personal computer, known as the IBM PC or IBM 5150, was released on August 12, 1981 for a price of $1,565. It was created by a team of engineers out of Boca Raton, Florida, led by William Lowe and Don Estridge. The IBM PC was a very successful personal computer throughout the 1980’s until its discontinuation on April 2, 1987. Many computer companies decided to release IBM-compatible products that used a similar operating system to the 5150. A lot of early portable or “luggable” computers were also considered IBM-PC compatible. The IBM PC 5150 was famous for its advertising campaigns that featured an actor playing Charlie Chaplin’s character “The Little Tramp”. Most advertisements featured a white circular table with a one thin leg in the middle. It also had red roses in a vase, next to the IBM 5150 PC. Source: Estate Sale IBM PCjr. With the success of the business-aimed IBM PC Model 5150 released in 1981, IBM decided to release a more home-friendly compu