26 Apr
2008
26 Apr
'08
11:26 p.m.
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:15:41 -0500
From: Jim Leonard
I disagree somewhat, if only to present the evidence
of the PCjr. Now
*that* was clearly meant as a home computer (cartridge slots, wireless
keyboard, small and light, built-in composite video)
I use the introduction of the Peanut as proof that IBM was still
suffering from the shock of having customers flock to buy the PC. As
they discovered, even the unwashed public had its limits as to what
could be passed off as an IBM product. Or maybe it was just the
result of a drunken bet. You forgot the complete lack of DMA and,
shall we say, "anemic" interrupt handling facility?
How about the 1990's IBM "multimedia" computer system? Use it as a
phone answering machine, fax machine, CD player, etc. The only
problem being that you have to leave it on all the time. Toshiba
made a similar blunder at about the same time with its Infinia
machines--only to abandon the desktop business altogether.
Cheers,
Chuck