The first IBM personal computer, known as the IBM PC model 5150, debuted on August 12, 1981. It was developed by a team at IBM led by William C. Lowe and Philip Don Estridge in Boca Raton, Florida. The machine was powered by an Intel 8088 processor running at 4.77 MHz and initially priced at $1,565 for a basic configuration
. This IBM PC was IBM's first attempt to sell a computer through retail channels and quickly became influential, establishing the de facto standard for personal computers. It used Microsoft’s MS-DOS operating system and was notable for its open architecture, which allowed third-party hardware and software to flourish, leading to widespread adoption and the growth of an extensive ecosystem of compatible products
. While IBM had earlier introduced portable computers like the IBM 5100 in 1975, the 1981 IBM PC 5150 is recognized as the first true IBM personal computer in the modern sense, designed for both home and office use at a more accessible price point
