The 1970s was a somewhat awkward phase for the computer industry — as hulking, room-sized mainframes became ever smaller and the concept of home and portable computers more capa ...

But in the late ‘70s, it made the same strides toward emphasis on small size and ease of use, advertising its IBM 5100 (a predecessor to the PC) as the “first portable computer.” ...

* 1975: IBM launches the IBM 5100, the first computer to look like the modern desktop model complete with a QWERTY keyboard, display and mass storage on tape all found within a single case.

For as little as $9,000, this tabletop machine let any business enter the computer era. The IBM 5100 Portable Computer, as depicted in a 1970s Scientific American ad.

In 1977, the IBM Model 5100 was released and marketed as one of the world's first 'portable computers'. In a now-hilarious full-page advert, IBM proudly boasts that at 50lbs (23kg), the Model 5100 ...

The IBM 5100 was released in 1975, six years before the IBM PC. It was IBM's first desktop portable computer with 100 KB of ROM and 64 KB of RAM installed but it was said that it was not popular ...

1975: IBM launches the IBM 5100, the first computer to look like the modern desktop model complete with a QWERTY keyboard, display and mass storage on tape all found within a single case.thirdMAds ...

Apple Vs. Big Blue In 1981, IBM, casually nicknamed Big Blue, finally entered the PC race and released the IBM 5100 PC.

William C Lowe, who supervised the birth of IBM's first personal computer, has died aged 72 in Lake Forest, Illinois. The IBM Personal Computer, known as the 5150, was launched in August 1981 ...

And then there was his reason for travelling. Titor claimed he had been sent back to 1975 to retrieve an IBM 5100 computer, which was needed to debug ageing machines still used in 2036.