IBM Aptiva
Encyclopedia
The IBM Aptiva personal computer was introduced in September 1994 as the replacement for the IBM PS/1
. The first Aptiva models were based on the Intel 80486 CPU with later models using the Pentium and AMD CPUs. All systems were developed in-house except for the later E series which was developed by Acer. The last system was withdrawn in May 2001 without direct replacement when IBM decided to get out of the home market. Customers were directed to the IBM NetVista
, which was more targeted to business desktops. All Aptiva models included a modem and a standby/hibernation feature called "Rapid Resume".
Aptiva computers were typically sold as a bundle which included monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse. First generation models came with IBM PC DOS 6.3 and Windows 3.1. Pentium generation Aptivas came with Windows95 and OS/2 'select-a-system' (PC DOS 7/Windows 3.1 and OS/2 Warp) on selected models.
Sound and modem functionality was provided on M,A,C and S models by an IBM Mwave adapter. The Mwave adaptor had multiple compatibility and performance issues and was eventually replaced by standard modems and sound cards. IBM settled a lawsuit for Mwave owners by refunding Aptiva Mwave owners a small monetary fee so that those owners could purchase industry standard devices.
The Aptiva never managed to recapture IBM's early 1980s PC dominance from Compaq
, Dell
, or HP. Among other things, IBM's development and marketing of Lotus SmartSuite
placed it in direct competition with Microsoft Office
. As a result, Microsoft "punished the IBM PC Company with higher prices, a late license for Windows 95
, and the withholding of technical and marketing support."
IBM wasn't granted OEM
rights for Windows 95 until 15 minutes prior to the release of Windows 95, August 24, 1995. Because of this uncertainty, IBM machines were sold without Windows 95, while Compaq
, HP
, and other companies sold machines with Windows 95 from day one.
Aptiva machine types
The first generation of Aptivas used the 2144 desktop and 2168 tower unit form factors.
The 2159 "stealth" series was a unique all black design that had the monitor resting on a metal stand with a 'console' located underneath which contained the floppy and CD drive. The console connected to the main unit via a 6 foot cable. Later in the production life, all Aptivas used tower unit form factors. Originally the 2144 and 2168 machine types referred to the amount of open slots and drive bays. Later machine type numbers did not have the same nomenclature.
IBM PS/1
The IBM PS/1 was a brand for a line of personal computers and was IBM's return to the home market in 1990, five years after the IBM PCjr. It was replaced by the IBM Aptiva in September 1994.-Position in IBM's PC brands:...
. The first Aptiva models were based on the Intel 80486 CPU with later models using the Pentium and AMD CPUs. All systems were developed in-house except for the later E series which was developed by Acer. The last system was withdrawn in May 2001 without direct replacement when IBM decided to get out of the home market. Customers were directed to the IBM NetVista
IBM NetVista
-Software Suite:The Software Suite was introduced in April 1996 as a client–server software suite, with the server software running on OS/2, and the client software on Windows 3.1 and Windows 95...
, which was more targeted to business desktops. All Aptiva models included a modem and a standby/hibernation feature called "Rapid Resume".
Aptiva computers were typically sold as a bundle which included monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse. First generation models came with IBM PC DOS 6.3 and Windows 3.1. Pentium generation Aptivas came with Windows95 and OS/2 'select-a-system' (PC DOS 7/Windows 3.1 and OS/2 Warp) on selected models.
Sound and modem functionality was provided on M,A,C and S models by an IBM Mwave adapter. The Mwave adaptor had multiple compatibility and performance issues and was eventually replaced by standard modems and sound cards. IBM settled a lawsuit for Mwave owners by refunding Aptiva Mwave owners a small monetary fee so that those owners could purchase industry standard devices.
The Aptiva never managed to recapture IBM's early 1980s PC dominance from Compaq
Compaq
Compaq Computer Corporation is a personal computer company founded in 1982. Once the largest supplier of personal computing systems in the world, Compaq existed as an independent corporation until 2002, when it was acquired for US$25 billion by Hewlett-Packard....
, Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
, or HP. Among other things, IBM's development and marketing of Lotus SmartSuite
Lotus SmartSuite
SmartSuite is an office suite from Lotus Software. The company made versions of its office suite for IBM OS/2 and Microsoft Windows.-Status:SmartSuite is in maintenance mode, and supported with fixes and fixpacks on Windows 2000 and Windows XP...
placed it in direct competition with Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a non-free commercial office suite of inter-related desktop applications, servers and services for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, introduced by Microsoft in August 1, 1989. Initially a marketing term for a bundled set of applications, the first version of...
. As a result, Microsoft "punished the IBM PC Company with higher prices, a late license for Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
, and the withholding of technical and marketing support."
IBM wasn't granted OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
rights for Windows 95 until 15 minutes prior to the release of Windows 95, August 24, 1995. Because of this uncertainty, IBM machines were sold without Windows 95, while Compaq
Compaq
Compaq Computer Corporation is a personal computer company founded in 1982. Once the largest supplier of personal computing systems in the world, Compaq existed as an independent corporation until 2002, when it was acquired for US$25 billion by Hewlett-Packard....
, HP
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
, and other companies sold machines with Windows 95 from day one.
Aptiva models
To understand which 'series' a Pentium-based Aptiva belongs to look at the first letter of the 3 character model number (so a 2168-M40 is a M Series). The word in quotes relates to the internal development name for the computer.- A Series Followed the M series Aptiva. Also used Mwave adaptor and Windows 95.
- C Series "Courageous" There were two model types and followed A series Aptiva.
- E Series
- L Series
- M Series "Magic" First Aptiva series preloaded with Windows 95. Also used Mwave adaptor
- S Series "Stealth" This model appeared during the C series introduction and used Mwave also.
Aptiva machine types
- 2134, 2136, 2137, 2138
- 2140, 2142, 2144
- 2153, 2158, 2159
- 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2168,
- 2170, 2171, 2172, 2173, 2174, 2176, 2178
- 2193, 2194, 2196, 2197, 2198
- 2255
- 2270, 2274
- 6832
- 6864
The first generation of Aptivas used the 2144 desktop and 2168 tower unit form factors.
The 2159 "stealth" series was a unique all black design that had the monitor resting on a metal stand with a 'console' located underneath which contained the floppy and CD drive. The console connected to the main unit via a 6 foot cable. Later in the production life, all Aptivas used tower unit form factors. Originally the 2144 and 2168 machine types referred to the amount of open slots and drive bays. Later machine type numbers did not have the same nomenclature.