IBM duly unveiled its expected trade-in programme for people wanting to do part-exchange deals on their old Personal Computers when they buy the new PS/2s from dealers (CI No 951). Under the programme, IBM will take anything from a PCjr – worth $100 at trade-in, to a nearly-new AT, which is worth $1,000, the maximum rebate, and that other dog of a product, the Portable Personal, is also included. IBM says that it will refurb-ish the machines and resell them as used – which means that it will be able to spoil the fun of a few lesser clonemakers if it includes a one year warranty. The US programme is of very limited duration July 1 to August 31, when PS/2 sales might otherwise be very dull, but may en courage dealers to start their own trade-in plans after it expires.
