IBM
International Business Machines Corporation (using the trademark IBM), nicknamed Big Blue, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, and present in over 175 countries. It is ...
's second generation of
personal computer
A personal computer, commonly referred to as PC or computer, is a computer designed for individual use. It is typically used for tasks such as Word processor, word processing, web browser, internet browsing, email, multimedia playback, and PC ...
s. Released in 1987, it officially replaced the
IBM PC
The IBM Personal Computer (model 5150, commonly known as the IBM PC) is the first microcomputer released in the List of IBM Personal Computer models, IBM PC model line and the basis for the IBM PC compatible ''de facto'' standard. Released on ...
, XT, AT, and PC Convertible in IBM's lineup. Many of the PS/2's innovations, such as the
16550 UART
The 16550 UART (universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter) is an integrated circuit designed for implementing the interface for serial communications. The corrected -A version was released in 1987 by National Semiconductor. It is frequently ...
(serial port), 1440 KB 3.5-inch
floppy disk
A floppy disk or floppy diskette (casually referred to as a floppy, a diskette, or a disk) is a type of disk storage composed of a thin and flexible disk of a magnetic storage medium in a square or nearly square plastic enclosure lined with a ...
format, 72-pin
SIMM
A SIMM (single in-line memory module) is a type of memory module used in computers from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. It is a printed circuit board upon which multiple random-access memory Integrated circuit chips are attached to one or ...
s,
PS/2 port
The PS/2 port is a 6-pin mini-DIN connector used for connecting Computer keyboard, keyboards and computer mouse, mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it ...
, and VGA video standard, went on to become standards in the broader PC market.
The PS/2 line was created by IBM partly in an attempt to recapture control of the PC market by introducing the advanced yet