• 1987

Hardware Description

The PS/2 Models 25 and 30 (IBM 8525 and 8530 respectively) were ISA-based (in other words, essentially IBM PC-like systems in a different form factor) systems, originally only available with Intel 8086 CPUs. These machines also differed from other PS/2 models in having 720k floppy disk drives, an ST506-compatible hard drive controller and MCGA graphics. The hard drives were available as an optional part; however, many of these entry-level machines were sold without hard drives due to the high cost. IBM Personal System/2 Model 25The Model 25 featured an integrated monochrome or color monitor to compete with the Apple Macintosh as an integrated system for educational environments. An external "paper white" monochrome screen was also available as a cost-saving model instead of the standard VGA display; this was often paired with the Model 30.