Selection for use in the IBM PC

Selection for use in the IBM PC

The original IBM PC was the most influential microcomputer to use the 8088. It used a clock frequency of 4.77 MHz (4/3 the NTSC colorburst frequency). Some of IBM's engineers and other employees wanted to use the IBM 801 processor, some would like the new Motorola 68000, while others argued for a small and simple microprocessor similar to what had been used in earlier personal computers. However, IBM already had a history of using Intel chips in its products and had also acquired the rights to manufacture the 8086 family. Another factor was that the 8088 allowed the computer to be based on a modified 8085 design, as it could easily interface with existing, and quite economical, 8085-type components.

The descendants of the 8088 include the 80188, 80186, 80286, 80386, and later software compatible processors, which are in use today. See below for a more complete list.