Definition: IBM PS/2

A personal computer series from IBM, introduced in 1987 and superseding the original PC line. The PS/2 line introduced four advances: PS/2 connector, 3.5" floppy disk, VGA graphics and Micro Channel bus. See PS/2 port, floppy disk, VGA and Micro Channel.

The Micro Channel bus had limited success outside of IBM, but the 3.5" floppy was extremely popular until the late 1990s. The mouse and keyboard connectors later switched to USB, and the VGA's 640x480 resolution eventually became the lowest setting for a PC display system.

The PS/2 was the last IBM desktop series with radical changes, but IBM did introduce several innovations on its ThinkPad laptops, which were highly praised (see ThinkPad).

PS/2 Model 50

The 286-based Model 50 was one of IBM's early PS/2 models. The Micro Channel bus, VGA graphics and 3.5" floppy disk were welcomed changes at that time. (Image courtesy of IBM.)