List of third-party Micro Channel computers

This is a list of computer systems based on the Micro Channel architecture that were not manufactured by IBM. Such third-party computers were also referred to as PS/2 clones or MCA clones.[1][2] The first third-party Micro Channel–based computer was Tandy Corporation's 5000 MC in July 1988.[3][4][5] Despite expensive research and development costs on the part of third-party manufacturers of Micro Channel computers—in part due to the expensive licensing fees incurred by IBM in order to allow legal use of their technology—by 1990 most MCA clones were not fully compatible with the Micro Channel architecture or expansion cards and peripherals based on Micro Channel.[6] By the time IBM was winding down the PS/2 line of personal computers (which in 1987 acted as the means of introducing Micro Channel to the general public) in 1992, NCR Corporation remained one of the few committed vendors of MCA clones.[7]

  1. ^ Seymour, Jim (November 15, 1988). "PS/2 Clones: Time to "Hedge and Straddle"?". PC Magazine. 7 (19). Ziff-Davis: 77 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ LaPlante, Alice (January 25, 1988). "MCA Clones Expected to Benefit IBM". InfoWorld. 10 (4). IDG Publications: 8 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Lewis, Peter H. (August 2, 1988). "Tandy Tries to Keep Things Easy". The New York Times. p. C10. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018.
  4. ^ Abruzzese, George; David Chartock (April 25, 1988). "Tandy takes the wraps off MCA-compatible Model 80". Computer & Software News. 6 (17). Lebhar-Friedman: 1 – via Gale.
  5. ^ McMullen, John (August 1, 1988). "Tandy claims major gains". Computer & Software News. 6 (31). Lebhar-Friedman: 1 – via Gale.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference flunk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Staff writer (October 20, 1992). "NCR Believe in Micro Channel". Computer Business Review. New Statesman Media Group. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022.