1980s · RETRO HISTORY
How IBM PC Compatibles Took Over
Open architecture and an expanding software ecosystem reshaped personal computing.
Editor's note: This is an original introductory guide. Hardware revisions, software compatibility and preservation conditions can vary by model.
The IBM PC arrives
IBM introduced its Personal Computer in 1981. Its use of widely available components and published technical information made it easier for other companies to develop compatible hardware and expansion cards.
Compatible machines
Manufacturers built systems that ran much of the same software, and competition pushed the platform into businesses and homes. Compatibility was not always perfect, but a shared ecosystem steadily grew.
Why standards won
The PC-compatible approach helped create an enormous market for components, software, repairs and upgrades—a model that still shapes desktop computing.