Retro Scan of the Week: “Introducing the IBM 5110 Computing System”

April 3rd, 2006 by Benj Edwards
Introducing the Extraordinary IBM 5110 Computing System

Watch out kids! Here comes the IBM 5110 — the successor of IBM’s first “personal computer” (the 5100), and somewhat of a distant precursor to their real PC, the IBM PC (model 5150). Despite its tiny screen, arcane interface, and outrageous price, the IBM 5110 never quite caught on. Of course, it should be noted that this machine obviously wasn’t targeted for the home market.

Only $18,000 (1978 dollars) for the system you see here. Whew.. no wonder Apple was laughing at IBM back then. By 1982, however, they wouldn’t be laughing quite as hard…

(Trivia Fact: Did you know that the IBM 5110 will be used to save the world in 2036? It’s true!)

[Scan from Time Magazine, February 20th, 1978]



2 Responses to “Retro Scan of the Week: “Introducing the IBM 5110 Computing System””

  1. Xerone Says:

    Haha! And you got the John Titor too! I read about that a while ago and remembered it when I saw this.

    Woo, only 18,000… Thats a bargain!

  2. MegaKitsune Says:

    Heh, Casionova (a really great guy and Casio virtuoso) made a great song about John Titor:

    http://casionova.com/musiqs/John_Titor.1.0.1_by_CasioNova.mp3

    http://www.casionova.com

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