IBM PC AT vs. Modern PCs: A Battle of Generations
A spirited comparison between the 1984 IBM PC AT and today's PCs - measuring raw speed, everyday usability, repairability and the strange, stubborn romance of retro machines.
Tag: ISA
From Past to Present: The Legacy of the IBM PC XT in Today's Computing
The IBM PC XT introduced a set of hardware and firmware decisions whose echoes are still audible in modern PCs. This post traces the XT's architecture, software compatibility mechanisms, and the pragmatic stubbornness of legacy support - and explains why engineers should study these old machines.
The IBM 5150: A Time Capsule of Innovation
How a beige box sold in 1981 - the IBM 5150 - rewired business, birthed an industry of clones, handed Microsoft the keys, and quietly seeded the technical conventions that still run the world today.
Reviving the IBM PC XT: A Modern Twist on a Vintage Classic
A practical, in-depth guide to refurbishing an IBM PC XT: learn how to safely inspect and restore vintage hardware, upgrade storage and CPU, add modern conveniences like USB-floppy emulators and network access, and explore creative uses for a restored XT in today’s digital world.
Reviving the IBM PC AT: A Retro Tech Restoration Guide
A complete, step-by-step restoration guide for the IBM PC AT (5170-era and compatibles). Covers inspection, cleaning, power supply and capacitor work, floppy/HDD modernization, keyboard/video adapters, networking, software transfer and sourcing vintage parts.