IBM 5120

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The IBM 5120 Computing System (sometimes referred to as the IBM 5110 Model 3) was announced in February 1980 as the desktop follow-on to the IBM 5110 Portable Computer. It featured two built-in 8-inch 1.2 MB floppy disk drives, 9-inch monochrome monitor, BASIC Programming Language, 32K RAM and optional IBM 5114 stand-alone diskette unit with two additional 8-inch 1.2 MB floppy disk drives. IBM Archives [http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc/pc_6.html] ]

Aside from larger screen size and performance benefits over its predecessor, the IBM 5120 design incorporated several usability advantages:
* Reduced 'footprint' requiring less desktop space
* Reduced glare on monitor, keytop and product surfaces
* Ease of handling/lifting based on bottom form treatment
* Reduced static loading in arms and shoulders due to keyboard palm rest

For its usability features and appearance, the IBM 5120 was recognized with two major industrial design awards and described with terms such as ″clean, well thought out″; ″subtle detailing shows great care in execution″; and ″looks like quality″. [″Annual Design Review″. "I.D. Magazine", Product Design Award: IBM 5120 Computing System, Tom Hardy: Industrial Designer, 1981. ] [“Industrial Design Excellence – Gold IDEA”. "Industrial Designers Society of America", Product Design Award: IBM 5120 Computing System, Tom Hardy: Industrial Designer, 1980.]

It was launched in 1980 as the lowest-priced IBM business computer to date. Depending on the options the overall system prices ranged from $9,340 to $23,990. To emphasize its office image IBM released in that same year 6 new programs: task inventory, billing, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and general ledger accounting.

ee also

* IBM
* IBM 5100 Portable Computer
* IBM 5110 Portable Computer
* Personal Computer

References