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IBM 5150 rev. A on EBAY

Can you guys explain to me how to pick out a model a 5150? I just recently got myself a 5150 in its original boxes and I was wondering what distinguishes the models.
 
mike52787 said:
Can you guys explain to me how to pick out a model a 5150? I just recently got myself a 5150 in its original boxes and I was wondering what distinguishes the models.
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There will be a label on the front upper left that says "Pesonal Computer" and another on the rear upper left that says "5150". It will also have only 5 expansion slots. The 5160 front label says "Personal Computer XT", the rear label says "5160", and it has 8 expansion slots.

The 5150 also has an "A" version and a "B" version. The "A" version has only 2 screws in the rear securing the top cover to the chassis while the "B" that replaced it has 5. The "B" version also often has a half inch high "B" in a circle stamped on the rear in white paint. One of mine does and the other does not.

You may also notice that the 5150 has two DIN plugs on the rear for the keyboard and cassette port. The cassette port was dropped from the 5160 so it has only one DIN plug.

There are other differences but those are the easiest ones to see from the outside.
 
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"a model a 5150"

I read right over that twice and probably answered a question that wasn't asked. My brain is used to seeing "Rev A" and saw the phrase as "a model 5150". Too much blood in my caffeine stream apparently. ;-)
 
I know how to tell between an xt and a pc, my question was how to tell a rev. A 5150.
 
When I'm awake enough I defer questions like this to Modem7's website as cited above in post #7. But it's worth while to note what he says near the top of the page:

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"Some people refer to the early versions of the 5150 as the 'model A', presumably because later versions have a large 'B within a circle' stamped on the rear (example).

I don't recall IBM ever using the terms 'model A' and 'model B'. They used model numbers, e.g. 003, 104, 164, ..."

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It may well be that IBM used up existing stocks of parts then switched to newer versions as they ran out, like VW did with the early Beetles, rather than wholesale upgrades at a clean model changeover point like other car companies do.

Just look at the power supply variations pictured at the link. If one was going to try and "restore" one of these beasts to a "period correct" configuration one would have to have some idea at what serial number or production date a given part was upgraded. AFAIK that kind of information has not been released by IBM. Add to that the fact that many of these machines have been tinkered with repeatedly for 30 years and you find people are "kinda sorta" reduced to making educated guesses based on chip production codes with large gaps in available information gleaned from the remaining machines that the owners are willing to inspect and publish what they find.

But even I can look at the back of the case and tell the difference between two screws and five. So! 2 screws -> early and 5 screws -> late. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! ;-)
 
If I've got a 5150, what options do I have for a monitor? The 5151 is difficult to find for a reasonable price and in working condition.
 
comradesean said:
If I've got a 5150, what options do I have for a monitor? The 5151 is difficult to find for a reasonable price and in working condition.
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There is also the IBM 5153 CGA and as long as you have the latest bios the IBM 5154 EGA monitors, That is if you can find them in good condition and working order and within your budget, Or you could go a lot cheaper and stick a VGA card in and use an LCD as long as you have the latest bios, Not very vintage i know but i find an LCD much better for my very vintage eyes.
 
Malc:

What would an 8 bit VGA cost as compared to say a monitor, I have also read about CGA to VGA converter but most of the one's I have seen for sale are for Video Games. Wonder if anyone has had any luck with a CGA to VGA converter.

Thanks,

Jimmy
 
Looks to be in good shape but starting bid too high imo.

Listing says it's a power connector, Internal / External ?, Obviously not original.
 
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