# IBM 6150 RT

> early RISC workstation from IBM

**Wikidata**: [Q502542](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q502542)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_RT_PC)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ibm-6150-rt

## Summary
The IBM 6150 RT is an early RISC workstation developed by IBM, released in 1986 as part of the RT-PC series. It was one of IBM's first attempts to enter the workstation market with a reduced instruction set computer architecture.

## Key Facts
- Released in January 1986 as IBM's first RISC workstation
- Powered by IBM's ROMP processor, an early 1980s RISC CPU
- Sold approximately 23,000 units during its production run
- Discontinued in May 1991 after a 5-year market presence
- Also known by aliases including IBM RT, IBM 6150, IBM 6151, IBM 6152, RT-PC, and RT PC
- Developed and manufactured by IBM, headquartered in Armonk, New York
- Replaced by the RS/6000 series in IBM's workstation lineup

## FAQs
### Q: What operating systems could the IBM 6150 RT run?
A: The IBM 6150 RT could run IBM AIX (IBM's Unix operating system), IBM Academic Operating System (a variant of BSD UNIX), and Pick operating system for business data processing.

### Q: What processor did the IBM 6150 RT use?
A: The IBM 6150 RT used IBM's ROMP processor, which was an early 1980s RISC CPU developed by IBM specifically for this workstation.

### Q: How many IBM 6150 RT units were sold?
A: Approximately 23,000 units of the IBM 6150 RT were sold during its production lifetime.

## Why It Matters
The IBM 6150 RT represents a significant milestone in IBM's computing history as the company's first foray into the RISC workstation market. At a time when IBM was primarily known for its mainframe and PC business, the RT-PC series demonstrated IBM's willingness to innovate beyond its traditional product lines. The workstation's use of the ROMP processor and support for multiple operating systems, including IBM's own AIX Unix variant, positioned it as a competitive option in the emerging workstation market of the mid-1980s. Though eventually discontinued in favor of the more successful RS/6000 series, the IBM 6150 RT helped establish IBM's credibility in the workstation segment and contributed to the company's broader strategy of diversifying its computing portfolio beyond mainframes and personal computers.

## Notable For
- IBM's first RISC workstation, marking the company's entry into reduced instruction set computing
- One of the earliest commercial implementations of IBM's ROMP processor technology
- Support for multiple operating systems including IBM's proprietary AIX Unix variant
- Served as a bridge product between IBM's traditional computing lines and its later RS/6000 workstation success
- Demonstrated IBM's capability to compete in the technical workstation market dominated by companies like Sun Microsystems and HP

## Body
### Development and Release
The IBM 6150 RT was developed by IBM's research and development teams in the early 1980s as part of the company's strategy to diversify beyond mainframes and personal computers. The workstation was officially released in January 1986, representing IBM's first commercial RISC-based computing system.

### Technical Specifications
The system was built around IBM's ROMP (Research OPD Micro Processor) CPU, which was developed in-house during the early 1980s. This processor architecture represented a significant departure from IBM's previous CISC-based designs and aligned with emerging RISC computing trends of the era.

### Operating System Support
The IBM 6150 RT offered flexibility through support for multiple operating systems. Primary support was provided for IBM AIX, the company's Unix operating system variant launched in February 1986. Additionally, the system could run IBM Academic Operating System, a BSD UNIX variant specifically offered for the RT platform, and Pick operating system for business applications.

### Market Performance and Legacy
With approximately 23,000 units sold, the IBM 6150 RT achieved modest commercial success but faced stiff competition from established workstation vendors. The product line was discontinued in May 1991 after five years on the market. Its legacy continued through the RS/6000 series, which replaced the RT-PC line and became more successful in the workstation market.

### Historical Context
The IBM 6150 RT emerged during a period of significant transition in the computing industry, as RISC architectures were beginning to challenge traditional CISC designs. IBM's entry into this market with the RT-PC series demonstrated the company's recognition of changing technological trends and its willingness to invest in new computing paradigms beyond its established mainframe and PC businesses.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet