IBM PCjr

The IBM PCjr (pronounced "PC junior") was a <a href="/facts/Home_computer/CDEPVd1T">home computer</a> produced and marketed by <a href="/facts/IBM/QszA7nwd">IBM</a> from March 1984 to May 1985, intended as a lower-cost variant of the IBM PC with hardware capabilities better suited for video games, in order to compete more directly with other home computers such as the <a href="/facts/Apple_II/se82CNvK">Apple II</a> and <a href="/facts/Commodore_64/3TPcKDbb">Commodore 64</a>.
It retained the IBM PC's <a href="/facts/Intel_8088/DdWKfyBp">8088</a> <a href="/facts/CPU/Jxp1bqMV">CPU</a> and <a href="/facts/BIOS/2RY3dzQe">BIOS</a> interface, but provided enhanced graphics and sound, <a href="/facts/ROM_cartridge/mWLcNez7">ROM cartridge</a> slots, built-in joystick ports, and an infrared wireless keyboard. The PCjr supported expansion via "sidecar" modules, which could be attached to the side of the unit.
Despite widespread anticipation, the PCjr was ultimately unsuccessful in the market. It was only partially <a href="/facts/IBM_PC_compatible/zGUpl7Sh">IBM PC compatible</a>, limiting support for IBM's software library. Its <a href="/facts/Chiclet_keyboard/KeYf4TJP">chiclet keyboard</a> was widely criticized for its poor quality. The PCjr also suffered from limited expandability; it was initially offered with a maximum of 128 <a href="/facts/Kilobyte/jIe6t4yv">KB</a> of RAM, insufficient for many PC programs.

IBM PCjr open-in-new

IBM PCjr