Editing IBM 5120

{{Short description|1980 portable business computer}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = IBM 5120
| image = IBM 5120 Computer System.jpg
| caption = <!-- include if image is not a logo -->
| manufacturer = [[IBM]]
| type = Professional Computer
| releasedate = {{Start date and age|1980|02}}
| price = {{USD|13500|1980|round=-2}}
| connectivity = 
| lifespan = 
| unitssold = 
| media = 2 × 8-inch 1.2 MB [[floppy disk]] drives
| os = [[APL (programming language)|APL]], [[BASIC]]
| input = [[Computer keyboard|Keyboard]]
| camera = 
| power = 
| cpu = [[IBM PALM processor]]
| storage = 
| memory = 16–64&nbsp;KB [[random-access memory|RAM]] (with 16&nbsp;KB iterations)<br />64&nbsp;KB [[Read-only memory|ROM]]
| display = 9-inch CRT
| service = <!-- online service/s offered -->
| dimensions = 
| weight = {{convert|45|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| touchpad = 
| predecessor = [[IBM 5110]]
| successor = [[IBM System/23 Datamaster|IBM Datamaster]]
| related = 
}}
[[File:IBM 5120.jpg|thumb|Closeup of a running 5120]]
The '''IBM 5120 Computing System''' (sometimes referred to as the '''IBM 5110 Model 3''') is a [[16-bit computing|16-bit]] [[microcomputer]] developed by [[IBM]] and released in February 1980. Marketed as the desktop follow-on to the portable [[IBM 5110]] Computing System, it featured two built-in 8-inch 1.2 MB floppy disk drives, an integrated 9-inch [[monochrome monitor]], 32&nbsp;KB RAM, plus an optional IBM 5114 stand-alone diskette unit with two additional 8-inch 1.2 MB floppy disk drives.<ref name=archives>{{cite web| url=http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc/pc_6.html |title=IBM 5120 Computing System |website=IBM Archives |access-date=19 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110083525/http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc/pc_6.html |archive-date=10 November 2011}}</ref>

The system was sold with both [[APL (programming language)|APL]] and BASIC languages in ROM, and provided a toggle switch on the front panel to select the language. APL allowed numerous business software written on IBM [[minicomputer]]s to run on the 5120.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?c=794&st=1 |title=IBM 5120 Computing System |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120230649/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=794 |archive-date=2010-11-20 |website=Old-Computers.com Museum}}</ref>

==Description==
It was launched in 1980 as the lowest-priced IBM business computer to date. Depending on the options the overall system prices ranged from $9,340 to $23,990. To emphasize its office image IBM released in that same year 6 new programs: task inventory, billing, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and general ledger accounting.<ref name=archives/> 

Aside from larger screen size and performance benefits over its predecessor, the IBM 5120 design incorporated several [[usability]] advantages:
* Reduced 'footprint' requiring less desktop space
* Reduced glare on monitor, keytop and product surfaces
* Ease of handling/lifting based on bottom form treatment
* Reduced static loading in arms and shoulders due to keyboard palm rest

For its usability features and appearance, the IBM 5120 was recognized with two major industrial design awards and described with terms such as "clean, well thought out"; "subtle detailing shows great care in execution"; and "looks like quality{{pprime}}.<ref>{{pprime}}Annual Design Review". ''I.D. Magazine'', Product Design Award: IBM 5120 Computing System, [[Tom Hardy (designer)|Tom Hardy]]: Industrial Designer, 1981.</ref><ref>"Industrial Design Excellence – Gold IDEA". ''Industrial Designers Society of America'', Product Design Award: IBM 5120 Computing System, [[Tom Hardy (designer)|Tom Hardy]]: Industrial Designer, 1980.</ref>

IBM did not offer a [[local area network|LAN]] or [[hard disk drive]] for these systems. However, in 1981, [[Hal Prewitt]], founder of [[Core International|Core International, Inc]], invented and marketed the world's first and only hard disk subsystems and "CoreNet", a LAN used to share programs and data for the IBM 5110 and 5120 systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1981_5110_Disk_Brochure.pdf|title=''Save IBM 5110/20 from junk yards of the world''|publisher=Core|accessdate=31 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721193112/http://www.coreinternational.info/1981_5110_Disk_Brochure.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1982_Sept_CORE_Newsletter.pdf|title=''1982 CORE Newsletter''|publisher=Core|accessdate=18 Nov 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119062654/http://www.coreinternational.info/1982_Sept_CORE_Newsletter.pdf |archive-date=19 November 2016}}</ref> In 1984, Core introduced PC51, software that allowed 5100 Series computer programs written in BASIC to run unmodified on the [[IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC]] and [[IBM PC compatible|compatibles]] under [[IBM PC DOS|PC DOS]] and share programs and data on CoreNet, the LAN for all these models.

==Timeline==
{{Timeline of the IBM Personal Computer}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web| url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1984_Core5110_Drives_Broch.pdf  |title=Core 5110/20 Hard Drives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119062348/http://www.coreinternational.info/1984_Core5110_Drives_Broch.pdf |archive-date=19 November 2016}}
* {{cite web| url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1984_PC51_Users_Manual.pdf |title=1984 Core PC51 Users Manual |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119055751/http://www.coreinternational.info/1984_PC51_Users_Manual.pdf |archive-date=19 November 2016}}
* {{cite web| url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1984_PC51_MediaRelease.pdf |title=1984 Core PC51 Media Release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119055935/http://www.coreinternational.info/1984_PC51_MediaRelease.pdf |archive-date=19 November 2016}}
{{refend}}

{{IBM personal computers}}

[[Category:IBM personal computers|5120]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1980]]