IBM System/23 Datamaster

The System/23 Datamaster was an Intel 8085 business computer with integrated display, keyboard and 8-inch disk drives. IBM designed it for small-business applications and rapid installation by office staff.

Its development contributed experience, components and personnel to the IBM PC project introduced only weeks later.

Notable Features

• An all-in-one enclosure contained the processor, display and dual floppy drives.
• The keyboard design influenced the original IBM PC keyboard.

Historical Significance

• Its development contributed experience, components and personnel to the IBM PC project introduced only weeks later.

Collector’s Notes

• Original IBM documentation, matching display and keyboard, and an unmodified configuration add historical context.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	IBM System/23 Datamaster
Manufacturer	IBM
Launched	Wednesday, July 1, 1981
Discontinued	1985
Country	United States
CPU	Intel 8085 at 4.77 MHz
Units Sold
Form Factor	All-in-one business computer
Power	Internal mains supply
Networking	Optional communications
Operating System	IBM Datamaster operating environment and BASIC
Expansion / I/O	Serial, printer and expansion interfaces
Keyboard	Integrated keyboard
Storage	Two 8-inch floppy drives
Sound	Internal beeper
Colours	Monochrome green
Graphics	Text and programmable characters
Display	Built-in 12-inch green monochrome CRT; 80 x 24 text
ROM	Boot and system firmware
RAM	64KB–128KB
CPU Speed	4.77 MHz