Task: Purchase an IBM PS/2 Model 30 with an 8086 CPU
Needed: Web Browser or Local Source
Time: 30-60 minutes online or several hours for local sourcing
Introduction
Introduced in 1987, the IBM PS/2 Model 30 marked the beginning of a new era in personal computing for IBM. Powered by the 16-bit Intel 8086 processor running at 8 MHz along with 640KB of conventional memory, the Model 30 combined the performance of the original IBM PC architecture with several innovations. It was among the first IBM systems to feature built-in 3.5-inch floppy drives and the now-ubiquitous PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors. Unlike its larger PS/2 siblings that introduced the proprietary Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), the Model 30 retained standard ISA expansion slots, making it both affordable and highly compatible with existing hardware and software. Equipped with IBM’s new MCGA graphics subsystem, the Model 30 represented a transitional system that bridged the gap between the first generation of IBM PCs and the VGA-based machines that would soon dominate the market. This model sold for around $1695 or $2295 with a 20MB hard drive.
I had a later 386-based PS/2 in graduate school and am thus familiar with the line. I recently purchased my first PS/2 Model 30 to prepare for the Vintage Computer Festival SoCal 2027 where I am planning an exhibit with four computers (IBM PS/2, Amiga 500, Mac SE, and Commodore 64C) and one game machine (Atari XEGS) that were all sold new in 1987. I was able to source a working PS/2 Model 30 locally from a friend in a trade for an Atari 1200XL. Very happy to have this PC.
Instructions
You can purchase an IBM PS/2 Model 30 with 8086 or 286 CPU for around $150 to $200 on eBay. You might be able to find one cheaper at a local Vintage Computer Festival.
Comments
Despite being an interesting computer, there are several annoying features of this machine. For example, IBM used a special connector for the floppy drive making it more difficult to use something like a Gotek floppy drive emulator without a special adapter. Further, the MCGA graphics are not compatible with some monitors making conversion to HDMI difficult. I will address the video conversion issues in a separate post. There are other annoying features as well.
The one I got came with a 16-bit NEC V30 CPU that is pin-compatible with the 8086. This chip has the same instruction set as the 8086 but runs as 12Mhz which is a big improvement over the 8MHz 8086. This unit also sports an 8087 math co-processor.