IBM Corp’s new low-cost brand of personal computers, due to be launched in the US this autumn, will include two 80486-based systems that the company will manufacture to customer specifications, PC Week reports: the two budget systems – and one based on a 386SLC processor – are expected to be available under a build-to-order programme similar to the order process pioneered by Dell Computer Corp – customers will be able to order the new low-cost machines over a toll-free phone number, and IBM will configure the systems with the desired memory, hard disk and software; one of the bargain basement machines will be a 25MHz 80486SX box with 4Mb and 80Mb disk expected to go for under $1,400; all the new machines will use the old AT bus.
