IBM Datamaster
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| Manufacturer | IBM |
|---|---|
| Release date | July 1981 |
| Introductory price | US$9,000 (equivalent to $23,709 in 2016) |
| Discontinued | 1985 |
| Operating system | BASIC built-in |
| CPU | Intel 8085 @ 4.77 MHz |
| Memory | 256 kB RAM / 112 kB ROM |
| Storage | two 8-inch floppy disk drives |
| Display | Green phosphor CRT display (80 X 24 text) |
| Input | keyboard |
| Weight | 43 kg(95 pounds) |
| Predecessor | IBM 5120 |
| Successor | IBM Personal Computer |
The System/23 Datamaster (Model 5322) was announced by IBM in July 1981.
The Datamaster was an all-in-one computer with text-mode CRT display, keyboard, processor, memory, and two 8-inch floppy disk drives in one cabinet. The processor was an 8-bit Intel 8085, with bank switching to manage 256 kB of memory. The intention of the Datamaster was to provide a computer that could be installed and operated without specialists.
A BASIC interpreter was built-in; merging its BASIC with the one for the System/34 reportedly delayed the Datamaster by almost a year. When introduced, a single-screen Datamaster sold for around US$9,000 (equivalent to $23,709 in 2016)). A second keyboard and screen could be attached in an extended configuration.
The familiarity of the design group gained on the Datamaster project encouraged selection of an Intel CPU for the IBM PC, announced one month after the Datamaster. The delay from the BASIC encouraged IBM's selection of Microsoft BASIC for the PC.
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