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 Pentium is a brand used for a series of x86 architecture-compatible microprocessors produced by Intel. The original Pentium processor from which the brand took its name was first released on March 22, 1993. After that, the Pentium II and P ...

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 The last system was withdrawn in May 2001 without direct replacement when IBM decided to exit the home market. Customers were directed to the IBM NetVista, which was more targeted to business desktops. Most 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

Windows 95 Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented operating system developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows 9x family of operating systems. The first operating system in the 9x family, it is the successor to Windows 3.1x, and was released to manufacturi ...

and OS/2 'select-a-system' (PC DOS 7/Windows 3.1 and

OS/2 Warp OS/2 (Operating System/2) is a series of computer operating systems, initially created by Microsoft and IBM under the leadership of IBM software designer Ed Iacobucci. As a result of a feud between the two companies over how to position OS/2 re ...

) 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.

Market history

Among other things, IBM's development and marketing of

Lotus SmartSuite Lotus may refer to: Plants *Lotus (plant), various botanical taxa commonly known as lotus, particularly: ** ''Lotus'' (genus), a genus of terrestrial plants in the family Fabaceae **Lotus flower, a symbolically important aquatic Asian plant also ...

and

OS/2 OS/2 (Operating System/2) is a series of computer operating systems, initially created by Microsoft and IBM under the leadership of IBM software designer Ed Iacobucci. As a result of a feud between the two companies over how to position OS/2 r ...

placed it in direct competition with

Microsoft Office Microsoft Office, or simply Office, is the former name of a family of client software, server software, and services developed by Microsoft. It was first announced by Bill Gates on August 1, 1988, at COMDEX in Las Vegas. Initially a marketi ...

and Microsoft Windows, respectively. As a result, Microsoft "punished the IBM PC Company with higher prices, a late license for

, and the withholding of technical and marketing support." IBM was not granted

OEM An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is generally perceived as a company that produces non-aftermarket parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. It is a common industry term recognized and used by many professional or ...

rights for Windows 95 until 15 minutes prior to the release of Windows 95, on August 24, 1995. Because of this uncertainty, IBM machines were sold without Windows 95, while

Compaq Compaq Computer Corporation (sometimes abbreviated to CQ prior to a 2007 rebranding) was an American information technology company founded in 1982 that developed, sold, and supported computers and related products and services. Compaq produced ...

, HP, and other companies sold machines with Windows 95 from day one. The Aptiva never managed to recapture IBM's early 1980s PC dominance from

, Dell, or HP. IBM's PC Group had higher costs than its competitors which made it impossible to match them on prices. Throughout the 1990s, IBM lost the most market share in PCs during that decade compared to its rivals, and only the ThinkPad laptop remained a stronghold. Most desktop and laptop sales were with longstanding corporate customers that already used IBM mainframe computers. Despite IBM's continued decline in hardware, that was more than offset by the company shifting focus to the more lucrative e-business (integrated e-commerce and Internet technology solutions).

Aptiva models

The series to which a Pentium-based Aptiva belongs is encoded in the first letter of the three-character model number (so a 2168-M40 is an 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 Mwave was a technology developed by IBM allowing for the combination of telephony and sound card features on a single adapter card. The technology centers around the Mwave digital signal processor (DSP). The technology was used for a time to pr ...

also. Aptiva machine types: * 2134, 2136, 2137, 2138 * 2140, 2142, 2144 * 2151-89E, 2151-90E, 2153, 2156, 2158, 2159 * 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2168, * 2170 (AMD K6-2), 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 A tower is a tall structure, taller than it is wide, often by a significant factor. Towers are distinguished from masts by their lack of guy-wires and are therefore, along with tall buildings, self-supporting structures. Towers are specifi ...

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.

User groups

Various Aptiva user and fan groups emerged. One of the most notable and tenured was run by Don Schneider, "DON5408's Unofficial Aptiva Support Site", now available o
aptivasupport.com
The site had much information on topics such as how to open the computer case,Aptiva Case Cover Removal
/ref> drivers and upgrade tips. The site included a user chat group on Friday nights for users to help each other with PC issues. The site was removed when AOL discontinued its web hosting services, but some pages still remain on ptd.net. The site ran from 4/4/1997 to 10/31/2008, bringing in just under a million views on the home page.

References

{{IBM personal computers Aptiva Products introduced in 1994 Computer-related introductions in 1994

Market history

Aptiva models

User groups

See also

References