I remember when “It’s 100% IBM-Compatible” was the gold standard by which PCs were judged. Sure, you could get things that were mostly compatible with authentic IBM PC hardware — but that little incompatibility could getcha if you didn’t watch out. Indeed, it was that 100% compatibility that made Compaq the industry leader it became.
Which is why (aside from their being our current corporate standard) the news that IBM is getting out of the PC business (desktop and laptop) is such a sign of the changing times, an indication of how commoditized PCs have become, with margins so slender that the value-addeds of the IBM name and design don’t warrant their staying in the biz (which they currently only own 5.6% of anyway).
That one of the two major bidders is thought to be a Chinese company may also be a sign of the changing times …
I remember those days. Does that make me old?
Eh? You’ll have to speak up, youngster …
Kinda like people asking for a Xerox when all they want is a copy.
Xerox(the company) pioneered xerography(ie affordable paper copies.)
And the deal is done. Though the names will linger on for a while.
Funny. Lenovo is a Chinese firm, and I remember, seemingly not long ago, when there were wildly strict export controls against shipping computer equipment to China. Now they own the IBM name for PCs. Wild.