All my content and ptohos
PCs and clones
The first IBM PCs, released in 1981, had poor graphics
capability, simple beeper and not outstanding Intel 8088 CPU. It had
(usually two) 160kB floppy disk drives and could run ported CP/M or PC-DOS
with their 128-640kB of RAM. What made
them popular was their open architecture - the only thing manufacturer
had to buy was IBM BIOS license. Later other companies started
to make their own BIOS versions compatible with IBM, sometimes much more
configurable than original one. In 1980s and 1990s many companies made
their own IBM-compatible (or almost compatible) computers and sold under
different names.
PC became popular in offices, homes and industrial systems. Its
architecture oriented around ISA bus was expandable and many expansions
have been developed. Early PCs were usually more or less
software-compatible with IBM PC, but sometimes hardware was much
different than in original.
Today (2015) PCs are still used and there is a big chance that you are
reading this page using one. Unfortunately ther are not so free anymore,
as proprietary, undocumented chipsets are used and simple, assembly-code
BIOS (there are even open-source BIOSes for PC) has been replaced by EFI - a security problem at the hardware
level. To run some operating systems on the newest PC platforms, systems
must be confirmed by commercial organizations, this is called "Secure
boot" (but much better name is "protection money"). PC started as open
architecture, but will end as proprietary one.
Here you can see that there are many ways to build PC, and PC, PC-compatible and DOS-compatible are totally different things. You can also see interesting expansions and devices for PCs.
To know what to look for when you open an old PC, go to PC FAQ.
Personal Computers
Other non-PC-compatible workstations
| Manufacturer | Model | Type |
| Sun | SPARCStation 20 | RISC SPARC |
| Sun | Ultra 1 | RISC SPARC |
| IBM | Power Series 850 | PowerPC (RS/6000) |
Accessories and components:
Printers:
Scanners:
Monitors
Page 1 - 1980s and early 90s,
MDA, CGA, Hercules.
Page 2 - 1990s, VGA.
Page 3 - Late 90s and
2000s - end of CRT era.
Input devices: Keyboards and accessories:
Input devices: Mice:
Page 1 - 1980s and early 90s
Page 2 - mid-90s to early
2000s
Page 3 - 2000 and onwards
Input devices: Other:
| Manufacturer | Model | Type |
| Genius | EasyPen | Tablet |
| AceCAD | CAD Tablet | Tablet |
Connectivity: Printer switches and converters:
Connectivity: KVM Switches:
| Manufacturer | Model | Type |
| Various | Mechanical switches | KVM/KV |
| Maxxtro | CAS-421 CPU Switch | KVM |
| NewStar | NS-231 | KVM |
| Aten/Digitus | CS-84A | KVM |
| Aten | MasterView CS-128 | KVM |
Connectivity: Modems:
| Manufacturer | Model | Type |
| IBM | 7857-017 | V.32bis modem |
| ZyXel | Elite 2864 | V.34bis modem |
| Siemens? | CPV V.32bis | V.32bis modem |
| ZyXel | U-336E | V.90 modem |
Connectivity: Other and local networks:
| Manufacturer | Model | Type |
| Planet | IR100 Smart IP Router | LAN Router |
| Various | Network transceivers | Network modules |
| Pentagram | FreeQall | VoIP Gate |
Service/diagnostic tools:
| Manufacturer | Model | Type |
| Intel | Socket test tool for Pentium | Service tool |
| Hua Tong Electronics? | ISA/PCI test card | Service tool |
Other devices:
| Manufacturer | Model | Type |
| APC | Back-UPS 400 | Power supply |
| AITech | Pocket Scan Converter PSC-1106 | Video converter |
| GrandTech | Grand Video Console | Video converter |
Interesting PC components
Processors:
-
386 and 486 clones
-
Evolution of Pentium form factor
-
Pentium alternatives
- The
Geode
- Slot 1
CPUs
Memory boards - what they are
and where are they used?
Other boards, unidentified,
dedicated, controllers
-
Tulip 286 PC on ISA
board
Video boards for ISA, VLB and
PCI
-
Multimedia and TV
boards