IBM Corp is due to launch the new professional personal computers that sweep away the taint of the ill-fated PS/2 line with its failed Micro Channel bus this week. The first products are not expected to start shipping for a month and some models are expected to be introduced next year. Called simply the IBM PC Series 300 and 700, the latter using Peripheral Component Interconnect bus with a Micro Channel option, the line is expected to have a base price of about $1,200. The Series 700 is expected to range from a 50MHz 80486DX2 machine to a 100MHz Pentium machine and they are expected to come with 8Mb of memory expandable to 192Mb, up to 4Mb of video RAM, and an optional 24-bit graphics accelerator board from Diamond Computer Systems Inc. The Series 300 will offer VESA local bus graphics and processors ranging from a 50MHz 80486DX2 to a 60MHz Pentium. Options will include PCMCIA Type III slots and keyboards with the TrackPoint mouse alternative, and both include IBM’s Rapid Resume feature, and the 24-hour answering machine and facsimile receive facilities.
