IBM RT PC

<p>The IBM RT PC (RISC Technology Personal Computer) is a family of <a href="/facts/Workstation_computer/h5tK4hTt">workstation computers</a> from <a href="/facts/IBM/QszA7nwd">IBM</a> introduced in 1986. These were the first commercial computers from IBM that were based on a <a href="/facts/Reduced_instruction_set_computer/aQbGM62p">reduced instruction set computer</a> (RISC) architecture. The RT PC uses IBM's proprietary <a href="/facts/IBM_ROMP/xanFmaKD">ROMP</a> <a href="/facts/Microprocessor/Fx9CaQht">microprocessor</a>, which commercialized technologies pioneered by <a href="/facts/IBM_Research/4DaaL58U">IBM Research</a>'s <a href="/facts/IBM_801/J5r1fpt4">801</a> experimental minicomputer (the 801 was the first RISC). The RT PC runs three operating systems: <a href="/facts/AIX_operating_system/cRWERua2">AIX</a>, the Academic Operating System (AOS), and <a href="/facts/Pick_operating_system/LSXLknzu">Pick</a>.
</p><p>The RT PC's specifications were regarded as "less than impressive" compared to contemporary workstations by its competitors in that particular market, although the product was deemed deserving of "a healthy amount of respect", particularly with the prospect of IBM as "a serious competitor" who, despite having a product whose performance was an estimated 18 months behind other vendors, would potentially be able to catch up quickly by applying the company's renowned technological capabilities. Given such performance limitations, the RT PC had little commercial success as a result. IBM responded by introducing the <a href="/facts/RS/6000/BEbesygF">RS/6000</a> workstations in 1990, which used a new IBM-proprietary RISC processor, the <a href="/facts/POWER1/c3WdDTXs">POWER1</a>. All RT PC models were discontinued by May 1991.
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IBM RT PC open-in-new

IBM RT PC