# IBM PS/2 Model 50

> 1987 IBM desktop computer

**Wikidata**: [Q127687940](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127687940)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PS/2_Model_50)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ibm-ps-2-model-50

## Summary
The IBM PS/2 Model 50 is a 1987 desktop computer manufactured by IBM. It was part of IBM's PS/2 series, which introduced the Micro Channel Architecture and 3.5-inch floppy disk drives to the personal computer market.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1987 as part of IBM's PS/2 series
- Manufactured by IBM, an American multinational technology corporation founded in 1911
- Classified as a general-purpose computer device
- Featured the Micro Channel Architecture bus design
- Used 3.5-inch floppy disk drives, which became standard in the industry
- Part of IBM's effort to regain market share from clone manufacturers
- Has a dedicated Wikipedia page and Commons category

## FAQs
### Q: What year was the IBM PS/2 Model 50 released?
A: The IBM PS/2 Model 50 was released in 1987 as part of IBM's PS/2 series of personal computers.

### Q: What made the PS/2 Model 50 different from previous IBM computers?
A: The PS/2 Model 50 introduced the Micro Channel Architecture bus and standardized 3.5-inch floppy disk drives, representing a significant departure from IBM's previous PC architecture.

### Q: Who manufactured the PS/2 Model 50?
A: The PS/2 Model 50 was manufactured by IBM, an American technology corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York.

## Why It Matters
The IBM PS/2 Model 50 represents a pivotal moment in personal computer history, marking IBM's attempt to reassert control over the PC market through proprietary technology. By introducing the Micro Channel Architecture, IBM sought to create a new standard that would be difficult for clone manufacturers to replicate, addressing the challenge of losing market share to compatible competitors. The Model 50 and its PS/2 siblings also helped popularize the 3.5-inch floppy disk format, which became the industry standard for years to come. While the Micro Channel Architecture ultimately failed to achieve widespread adoption due to licensing restrictions, the PS/2 series demonstrated IBM's continued innovation in personal computing and influenced the development of subsequent computer architectures.

## Notable For
- Introduced the Micro Channel Architecture, a proprietary bus design that aimed to replace the ISA bus
- Helped standardize the 3.5-inch floppy disk drive format across the industry
- Featured enhanced graphics capabilities compared to previous IBM PC models
- Represented IBM's strategic response to the clone market threat
- Part of the PS/2 series that included both desktop and laptop models

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The PS/2 Model 50 featured Intel 80286 processors running at 10 MHz or 12 MHz, representing a significant performance improvement over previous IBM PC models. The system supported up to 4 MB of RAM and included VGA graphics capabilities, offering superior display quality compared to earlier CGA and EGA standards.

### Micro Channel Architecture
The Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) was IBM's proprietary 16 or 32-bit bus design that offered several advantages over the older ISA bus, including higher data transfer rates and bus mastering capabilities. However, MCA's proprietary nature and licensing requirements limited its adoption outside of IBM's ecosystem, ultimately contributing to the PS/2 series' commercial challenges.

### Market Impact
Despite its technical innovations, the PS/2 Model 50 and the broader PS/2 series struggled to achieve the market success of IBM's earlier PC models. The proprietary nature of MCA and the higher costs associated with IBM's closed architecture made the systems less attractive to businesses and consumers who had become accustomed to the open PC standard. Nevertheless, the PS/2 series influenced future computer designs and helped establish standards that would shape the industry for years to come.