List of third-party Micro Channel computers explained

This is a list of computer systems based on the Micro Channel architecture that were 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. 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.[6]

Systems

ModelProcessorClock speed
L2 cache
Stock/
memory		 memory
Form factorDate introduced
PowerPro/MCIntel 804863364–512 —549Tower[7] [8]
PowerPro/MC SMP/DMP33
50 		64–512 —549Tower[9] [10]
PowerCache 4Intel 8048625128150 MB or 340 MB 232Tower or desktop [11]
Modular Processor System
(a.k.a. MPS)		Intel 80386 or Intel 8048625 or 33 64–512— 149Desktop[12] [13] [14]
Modular Processor System 486ASX
(a.k.a. MPS II)		Intel 80486SX2064–512None or 80 MB 149Desktop[15]
MicroFlex 3300Intel 803863332–6470 MB or 120 MB or 642 MB264Tower[16] [17]
MicroFlex 7000Intel 8038625128120 MB or 300 MB 216Tower[18] [19]
Qi 300Intel 80386SX16None30 MB (RLL) or 50 MB or 120 MB28Desktop[20] [21] [22]
Qi 600
(a.k.a. Qi PCi)		Intel 80386256450 MB (RLL) – 510 MB 116Desktop[23]
Qi 900Intel 80486256450 MB or 80 MB or 100 MB or 380 MB116Desktop[24]
Qi 486SX-16Intel 80486SX2512850 MB (RLL) – 510 MB 116Desktop[25] [26]
Qi 486DX-25Intel 804862512850 MB (RLL) – 510 MB 116Desktop [27]
Qi 486DX-33Intel 804863312850 MB (RLL) – 510 MB 116Desktop
Qi 486DX2-50Intel 80486DX25012850 MB (RLL) – 510 MB 116Desktop
Qi 486DX2-66Intel 80486DX26612850 MB (RLL) – 510 MB 116Desktop
VX FTIntel 80386 or Intel 804862564 or 128157 MB or 347 MB or 647 MB or 1.05 GB416Tower[28]
FTs
(a.k.a. FT Mk II)		25 or 33 or 50 or 66 —50 MB or 100 MB or 200 MB or 380 MB or 510 MB or 1.2 GB116Tower[29] [30]
FTe25 or 33 or 50 or 66 None50 MB or 100 MB or 200 MB or 380 MB or 510 MB or 1.2 GB116Full-tower[31] [32]
FT//sIntel 80486DX2 or Intel Pentium66 or 60 —Various192 or 256 192 or 256 Tower[33] [34]
FT//eIntel 80486DX2 or Intel Pentium66 or 60 —Various192 or 256 192 or 256 Full-tower[35]
Micral 500Intel 8038620—200 MB——Desktop [36] [37]
GL Computer/MC 386SXIntel 80386SX25—80 MB2—Desktop[38]
GL Computer/MC 486Intel 8048633—200 MB4—Desktop
325iIntel 8038625—40 MB216Desktop
F16/SXIntel 80386SX16—40 MB18Desktop[39]
F20/DXIntel 8038620—40 MB216Desktop
Desk 386mcIntel 8038620——216Desktop [40]
Model D3/MCIntel 80386SX16——14Desktop
Telex Model 7255Intel 8038616——48Desktop[41]
Telex Model 7270Intel 803862532—48Desktop[42] [43]
Telex Model 8257Intel 80386SX20—————[44]
Telex Model 8290i486|Intel 8048633—————
Telex Model 9290Intel 80486DX250———64Desktop [45]
MPS-3000FIntel 803862532—124Desktop[46] [47]
MPS-2386Intel 80386SX16—40 MB or 100 MB124Desktop [48] [49]
System 3320Intel 80386SX20—44 MB or 100 MB28Desktop[50]
System 332533
66
100 		——016 or 128Small form factor desktop[51]
System 3335Intel 80486SX251160128Small form factor desktop[52] [53]
System 3340Intel 8048625—100 MB or 200 MB 216Desktop[54]
System 3345Intel 8048633—100 MB or 200 MB or 340 MB464Desktop[55]
System 3350Intel 80486SX or Intel 80486DX225 or 33
66 		—120 MB or 213 MB or 340 MB or 535 MB or 1.05 GB4192Desktop[56]
System 336060——0512
256 		Tower1990[57]
System 341033
66 		—213 MB or 340 MB or 535 MB or 1.05 GB4192Tower1990[58]
System 341660——0256
512 		Tower1990[59]
System 343060256—0256
512 		Tower1990[60]
System 3445Intel 8048633—None or 200 MB or 327 MB or 670 MB416Tower1990[61]
System 355050256 320 MB – 13 GB16256Tower1990[62]
Nimbus PC-286Intel 8028610—40 MB or 60 MB or 120 MB116Desktop[63]
Nimbus PC-386Intel 8038616—40 MB or 60 MB or 120 MB116Desktop
P500Intel 8038616—40 MB or 80 MB or 135 MB 116Desktop[64] [65]
P700Intel 803862532—124Desktop[66]
P750Intel 8048625—100 MB or 200 MB232Desktop[67] [68]
P800Intel 803862564135 MB416Tower
M300-25
(a.k.a. P500/E)		Intel 80386SX20—60 MB216Desktop—[69]
M480-30Intel 8048625—210 MB or 270 MB or 340 MB or 510 MB or 525 MB432Desktop—[70]
M480-40Intel 8048633—210 MB or 340 MB or 525 MB432Desktop—[71]
M480-50Intel 80486DX250———64Desktop [72] [73]
M480-60Intel 8048650—210 MB or 340 MB or 525 MB816Tower—[74]
M6-520Intel 80486SX or Pentium OverDrive25Optional120 MB or 210 MB or 525 MB or 1.05 GB864Desktop—[75]
M6-540Intel 80486 or Pentium OverDrive33Optional120 MB or 210 MB or 525 MB or 1.05 GB864Desktop—
M6-560Intel 80486DX2 or Pentium OverDrive66Optional120 MB or 210 MB or 525 MB or 1.05 GB864Desktop—
286/16Intel 8028616030 MB or 60 MB or 120 MB 28Desktop[76]
286/20Intel 8028620030 MB or 60 MB or 120 MB 28Desktop
386SX/16Intel 80386SX16030 MB or 60 MB or 120 MB 28Desktop
386SX/20Intel 80386SX20030 MB or 60 MB or 120 MB 216Desktop
Model 16Intel 80286 or Intel 80386SX16 or 20030 MB or 60 MB or 120 MB or 325 MB 88Small form factor desktop[77]
Model 16 386SLCIBM 386SLC200120 MB48Small form factor desktop[78]
Model 16 486SLC2IBM 486SLC2400120 MB416Small form factor desktop[79]
Model 32Intel 80386 or Intel 80486SX or Intel 8048625–33 or 20 or 25–50 64 or 128 40 MB – 1.2 GB 4–1632 Small form factor desktop[80]
PCM-3Dsx16 0 40 MB – 160 MB 416 Small form factor desktop[81]
5000 MC Intel 8038620—40 MB or 84 MB216Desktop
MC 350/16SIntel 8038616—20 MB or 40 MB or 100 MB28Desktop[82] [83]
WLT
Systems		PC Express MC-316S-5Intel 80386SX16——28Desktop[84]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Seymour . Jim . November 15, 1988 . PS/2 Clones: Time to "Hedge and Straddle"? . PC Magazine . Ziff-Davis . 7 . 19 . 77 . Google Books.
  2. LaPlante . Alice . January 25, 1988 . MCA Clones Expected to Benefit IBM . InfoWorld . IDG Publications . 10 . 4 . 8 . Google Books.
  3. News: Lewis . Peter H. . August 2, 1988 . Tandy Tries to Keep Things Easy . The New York Times . C10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180130185443/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/02/science/personal-computers-tandy-tries-to-keep-things-easy.html . January 30, 2018.
  4. Abruzzese . George . David Chartock . April 25, 1988 . Tandy takes the wraps off MCA-compatible Model 80 . Computer & Software News . Lebhar-Friedman . 6 . 17 . 1 . Gale.
  5. McMullen . John . August 1, 1988 . Tandy claims major gains . Computer & Software News . Lebhar-Friedman . 6 . 31 . 1 . Gale.
  6. Staff writer . October 20, 1992 . NCR Believe in Micro Channel . Computer Business Review . New Statesman Media Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20221124074750/https://techmonitor.ai/technology/ncr_believe_in_micro_channel . November 24, 2022.
  7. Letson . Russell . March 1991 . High-end PCs push the envelope . Systems Integration . Reed Business Information . 24 . 3 . 45 . Gale.
  8. Domingo . Michael . Dan D. Gutierrez . David Kodama . Jeff Miller . January 1991 . Comdex/Fall '90 news from the aisles . Data Based Advisor . Advisor Publications . 9 . 1 . 116 . Gale.
  9. Zimmerman . Michael R. . November 4, 1991 . PC makers display fall lines at Comdex . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 8 . 44 . 22 . Gale.
  10. Pinella . Paul . Lee The . Bob Francis . Elizabeth Lindholm . David Brousell . Sarah Lindsey . January 15, 1992 . Best of breed from Comdex . Datamation . Reed Business Information . 38 . 2 . 58 . Gale.
  11. McCormick . John . July 24, 1990 . ALR PowerCache 4, 25 MHz 80486-based computer . Newsbytes . The Washington Post Company . Gale.
  12. Skillings . Jonathan . October 15, 1990 . ALR offers users upgrade route for MCA products . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 7 . 41 . 19 . Gale.
  13. Letson . Russell . March 3, 1991 . High-end PCs push the envelope . Systems Integration . Reed Business Information . 24 . 3 . 45 . Gale.
  14. Caton . Michael . March 11, 1991 . Advanced Logic Research Inc. Modular Processor System 486/33 . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 8 . 10 . 80 . Gale.
  15. Staff writer . April 29, 1991 . Upgradable 486: ALR 1st to intro upgradable i486SX-based PCs endorsing ISA, EISA & Micro Channel architectures . EDGE . EDGE Publishing . 2 . 49 . 17 . Gale.
  16. Wingrove . Norman . March 8, 1990 . Jardine to distribute Advanced Logic Research in Asia . Newsbytes . The Washington Post Company . Gale.
  17. Brown . Bruce . October 30, 1990 . ALR MicroFlex 3300 . PC Magazine . Ziff-Davis . 9 . 18 . 112 . Google Books.
  18. Spiegelman . Lisa L. . November 28, 1988 . ALR jumps on the MCA bandwagon . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 5 . 48 . 10 . Gale.
  19. Henning . Edward . July 5, 1989 . ALR flexes its muscle . PC User . EMAP Media . 110 . 59 . Gale.
  20. Brennan . Laura . January 16, 1989 . First MCA compatibles to hit U.S. from Canadian arm of UK firm . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 6 . 2 . 15 . Gale.
  21. Brown . Bruce . October 30, 1990 . Apricot Qi 300-80, Apricot Qi PCi . PC Magazine . Ziff-Davis . 9 . 18 . 122–124 .
  22. Web site: n.d. . Apricot Qi 300 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202211653/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Apricot/qi300/ . December 2, 2021.
  23. Web site: n.d. . Apricot Qi 600 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202211619/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Apricot/qi600/ . December 2, 2021.
  24. Lavin . Paul . April 25, 1990 . Racing to the top . PC User . EMAP Media . 131 . 83 . Gale.
  25. Staff writer . May 20, 1992 . Qi 486 workstations . PC User . EMAP Media . 185 . 101 . Gale.
  26. Web site: n.d. . Apricot Qi 486 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202211635/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Apricot/qi486/ . December 2, 2021.
  27. Wheelwright . Geoff . April 4, 1991 . Personal computer reviews . IBM System User . ComputerWire . 12 . 4 . 29 . Gale.
  28. Staff writer . June 12, 1989 . Late news . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 6 . 23 . 4 . Gale.
  29. Lavin . Paul . June 1991 . 486 personal computers . Which Computer? . EMAP Media . 14 . 6 . 59 . Gale.
  30. Web site: n.d. . Apricot FTs / FT Mk II . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202211557/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Apricot/fts/ . December 2, 2021.
  31. Lavin . Paul . July 1991 . Apricot FTe . PC User . EMAP Media . 164 . 32 . Gale.
  32. Web site: n.d. . Apricot FTe . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202211615/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Apricot/fte/ . December 2, 2021.
  33. Staff writer . June 11, 1993 . Apricot plunges into high-end server market with 80486, Pentium models . . GlobalData . Gale.
  34. Web site: n.d. . Apricot FT//s . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202211630/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Apricot/f2s/ . December 2, 2021.
  35. Web site: n.d. . Apricot FT//e . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202211601/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Apricot/f2e/ . December 2, 2021.
  36. March . Richard . October 9, 1989 . Zenith MCA PC expected in wake of Bull's acquisition . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 6 . 40 . 4 . Gale.
  37. Web site: 2022 . Bull Micral 500: Made in France . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20221107113153/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Bull/Micral_500.html . November 7, 2022.
  38. Zimmerman . Michael R. . July 6, 1992 . Cumulus targets Micro Channel sites with 2 PCs . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 9 . 27 . 37 . Gale.
  39. Parker . Rachel . November 13, 1989 . First Class Systems to Introduce PS/2 Compatible . InfoWorld . IDG Publications . 11 . 46 . 34 . Google Books.
  40. Staff writer . April 5, 1989 . Business Briefs . UPI.com . United Press International . Gale . https://archive.today/20221124041828/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/04/05/Business-Briefs/1824607752000/ . November 24, 2022.
  41. Staff writer . February 2, 1990 . Memorex looks for big bucks from Galileo pact . Computergram International . GlobalData . 1356 . Gale.
  42. Staff writer . May 10, 1990 . Memorex Telex announcements . Computergram International . GlobalData . 1422 . Gale.
  43. Web site: n.d. . Mitac MPS3000F, Memorex Telex 7270, Olivetti P700 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922212454/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Mitac/MPS3000F.html . September 22, 2022.
  44. Zimmerman . Michael R. . February 10, 1992 . Memorex Telex to introduce wide range of computers . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 9 . 6 . 23 . Gale.
  45. Web site: Anonymous . May 24, 2004 . Memorex Telex 9290 . Mastodonic Personal Computers . https://web.archive.org/web/20100316194354/https://mastodonpc.tripod.com/personal/9290.html . March 16, 2010.
  46. Spiegelman . Lisa L. . July 31, 1989 . 386 trio tops varied Mitac six-pack . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 6 . 30 . 6 . Gale.
  47. Staff writer . April 23, 1990 . Micro Channel Architecture PCs . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 7 . 16 . 96 . Gale.
  48. Staff writer . September 1989 . Fix . Byte . McGraw-Hill . 14 . 9 . 78 . the Internet Archive.
  49. Goodwin . Michael . Karl Koessel . January 1990 . Micro Channel Clones Flunk the Test . PC World . IDG Publications . 8 . 1 . 98–106 . the Internet Archive.
  50. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3320 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119203504/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3320.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  51. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3325 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119220319/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3325.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  52. Staff writer . November 12, 1991 . NCR Brings Out 25MHz 80486SX Personal Workstation . Computer Business Review . New Statesman Media Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20221124072344/https://techmonitor.ai/technology/ncr_brings_out_25mhz_80486sx_personal_workstation . November 24, 2022.
  53. R. . O. . October 13, 1992 . NCR System 3335 . PC Magazine . Ziff-Davis . 11 . 17 . 236–237 . Google Books.
  54. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3340 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119214621/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3340.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  55. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3345 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119210708/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3345.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  56. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3350 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119211806/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3350.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  57. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3360 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119204756/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3360.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  58. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3410 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119214923/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3410.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  59. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3416 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119215431/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3416.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  60. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3430 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119205151/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3430.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  61. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3445 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119215628/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3445.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  62. Book: 1990 . NCR System 3550 . NCR Voyix . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119204557/https://www.ardent-tool.com/NCR/Docs/NCR_3550.pdf . January 19, 2021 . Ardent Tool.
  63. Staff writer . April 26, 1989 . RM workstation brings low-cost to CAD market . PC User . EMAP Media . 105 . 27 . Gale.
  64. Bannon . Lisa . February 13, 1989 . Olivetti offers MCA-like PC line . Electronic News . Sage Publications . 35 . 1745 . 18 . Gale.
  65. Spiegelman . Lisa L. . April 17, 1989 . Olivetti covers multiple architectures with new MCA, AT, laptop machines . PC Week . Ziff-Davis . 6 . 15 . 10 . Gale.
  66. Web site: Anonymous . May 24, 2004 . Olivetti P700 . Mastodonic Personal Computers . https://web.archive.org/web/20100316203028/https://mastodonpc.tripod.com/personal/p700.html . March 16, 2010.
  67. Gold . Steve . August 16, 1990 . UK: Olivetti offers 486-based, Micro Channel PC . Newsbytes . The Washington Post Company . Gale.
  68. Lavin . Paul . September 12, 1990 . Olivetti P750 – exclusive . PC User . EMAP Media . 141 . 95 . Gale.
  69. Book: March 1995 . Personal Computer – Pocket Service Guide . OP Computers S.p.A. . 23-1–23-10 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20210622041204/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Olivetti/Docs/service_guide/systems1/cap23.pdf . June 22, 2021.
  70. Book: March 1995 . Personal Computer – Pocket Service Guide . OP Computers S.p.A. . 24-1–24-12 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20210622044143/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Olivetti/Docs/service_guide/systems1/cap24.pdf . June 22, 2021.
  71. Book: March 1995 . Personal Computer – Pocket Service Guide . OP Computers S.p.A. . 30-1–30-12 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20210622044925/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Olivetti/Docs/service_guide/systems1/cap30.pdf . June 22, 2021.
  72. Web site: Anonymous . May 25, 2004 . Olivetti M480-50 . Mastodonic Personal Computers . https://web.archive.org/web/20080920085953/https://mastodonpc.tripod.com/personal/m480-50.html . September 20, 2008.
  73. Web site: n.d. . Olivetti Micro Channel Systems . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922212454/https://ardent-tool.com/Olivetti/ . September 22, 2022.
  74. Book: March 1995 . Personal Computer – Pocket Service Guide . OP Computers S.p.A. . 31-1–31-12 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20210622051338/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Olivetti/Docs/service_guide/systems1/cap31.pdf . June 22, 2021.
  75. Book: March 1995 . Personal Computer – Pocket Service Guide . OP Computers S.p.A. . 3-1–3-14 . Ardent Tool . https://web.archive.org/web/20211202192929/https://www.ardent-tool.com/Olivetti/Docs/service_guide/systems2/cap3.pdf . December 2, 2021.
  76. Staff writer . April 23, 1990 . Micro Channel Architecture PCs . PCWeek . Ziff-Davis . 7 . 16 . 96 . Gale.
  77. LaPolla . Stephanie . September 10, 1990 . Modular-Architecture PCs . PCWeek . Ziff-Davis . 7 . 36 . 122 . Gale.
  78. Staff writer . August 10, 1992 . OEMing IBM: Reply Agreement with IBM Offers Customers Advanced SLC Technology & Improved Performance . Work-Group Computing Report . Edge Publishing . 3 . 116 . 38 . Gale.
  79. Miller . Dan . Rex Ferrance . February 1993 . Reply Model 16 486SLC2 . PCWorld . IDG Publications . 11 . 2 . 138 . Gale.
  80. Coughlan . Francie . July 29, 1991 . 386 PCs with Modular Architecture and Upgradable CPUs . PCWeek . Ziff-Davis . 8 . 30 . 98 . Gale.
  81. Coughlan . cc computerarchive . June 1991 . CC - Computerarchiv. CC Seller . Dipl.Ing. Ulf-Chr. Lesemann . 9 .
  82. Staff writer . September 13, 1989 . Wang's new PC range aims at the desktop . PC User . 115 . 22 . Gale.
  83. Majkiewicz . Jane . November 1, 1989 . New PC marks Wang's entry into the Micro Channel Arena . Datamation . Reed Business Information . 35 . 21 . 105 . Gale.
  84. Darrow . Barbara . March 5, 1990 . Wang Enters the Mail-Order Business with AT- and MCA-Bus PCs . InfoWorld . IDG Publications . 12 . 10 . 30 . Google Books.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of third-party Micro Channel computers".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.