IBM System/23 Datamaster

System/23 Datamaster
Manufacturer	IBM
Release date	July 1981
Introductory price	US$9,000 (equivalent to $25,310 in 2019)
Discontinued	1985
Operating system	BASIC built-in
CPU	Intel 8085 @ 4.77 MHz
Memory	256 kB RAM / 112 kB ROM
Storage	two 8-inch floppy disk drives
Display	Green phosphor CRT display (80 X 24 text)
Input	keyboard
Mass	43 kg(95 pounds)
Predecessor	IBM 5120
Successor	IBM Personal Computer

The System/23 Datamaster (Model 5322 desk-top model and Model 5324 floor model[1]) was announced by IBM in July 1981.

The Datamaster is an all-in-one computer with text-mode CRT display, keyboard, processor, memory, and two 8-inch floppy disk drives in one cabinet. The processor is an 8-bit Intel 8085, with bank switching to manage 256 kB of memory.[2] The intention of the Datamaster was to provide a computer that could be installed and operated without specialists.

A BASIC interpreter is built-in; merging its BASIC with the one for the System/34 reportedly delayed the Datamaster by almost a year.[2] When introduced, a single-screen Datamaster sold for around US$9,000 (equivalent to $25,310 in 2019)). A second keyboard and screen could be attached in an extended configuration.

The familiarity of the design group gained on the Datamaster project encouraged selection of an Intel CPU for the IBM PC, announced one month after the Datamaster. The delay from the BASIC encouraged IBM's selection of Microsoft BASIC for the PC.[2] The Datamaster was the least expensive IBM computer until the far less expensive and far more popular PC.[3][4]

References

Data Communication Concepts (PDF) (GC21-5169-4 ed.). International Business Machines. September 1983. p. 6-7. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
Bradley, David J. (September 1990). "The Creation of the IBM PC". BYTE. pp. 414–420. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
Pollack, Andrew (1981-08-13). "Big I.B.M.'s Little Computer". The New York Times. p. D1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
Pollack, Andrew (1983-03-27). "Big I.B.M. Has Done It Again". The New York Times. p. Section 3, Page 1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-16.

External links

Preceded by IBM 5120	IBM Personal Computers	Succeeded by IBM Personal Computer

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[1] Data Communication Concepts (PDF) (GC21-5169-4 ed.). International Business Machines. September 1983. p. 6-7. Retrieved 7 January 2018.

[bradley199009-2] Bradley, David J. (September 1990). "The Creation of the IBM PC". BYTE. pp. 414–420. Retrieved 2 April 2016.

[pollack19810813-3] Pollack, Andrew (1981-08-13). "Big I.B.M.'s Little Computer". The New York Times. p. D1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-16.

[pollack19830327-4] Pollack, Andrew (1983-03-27). "Big I.B.M. Has Done It Again". The New York Times. p. Section 3, Page 1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-16.