New IBM PCs: One Lighter, One Cheaper

International Business Machines Corp. on Tuesday announced two new personal computers, one that is slightly cheaper than before and another that is slightly lighter.

Neither machine broke new ground, but IBM, the world leader in personal computer market share, is hoping the models will attract more customers to its 2-year-old Personal System/2 line.

In another step, IBM is expected to tie its PCs more closely to its bigger computers next week by announcing programs that have the same look and feel across the product spectrum.

One of the machines announced Tuesday, the Model 55 SX, uses a simplified version of Intel Corp.’s 80386 chip, which several other personal computer makers including Compaq Computer Corp. have already adopted.

IBM said the model would be its cheapest 80386-based personal computer yet, with versions listed at $3,895 and $4,295.

The other new machine, the P70 386, is the first portable model at the high end of IBM’s line. It is bigger and heavier than a laptop and cannot run on batteries. It weighs 20 pounds and measures 12 inches by 18 inches by 5 inches. Versions are listed at $7,695 and $8,295.

IBM also announced rebates ranging up to $800 on the base-layer software, Operating System/2, which runs on many PS/2 computers and other makes of high-powered personal computers.

The rebates are to offset the expense of buying the extra internal memory that the complex base-layer software requires.

IBM plans to announce next Tuesday a collection of programs under the Officevision Family label that should make computing simpler by standardizing the appearance and format of the software, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

IBM executives declined to comment on the report, but the idea fits in with the firm’s stated strategy.

For example, IBM is working to make it possible for someone at a networked personal computer to issue commands at the keyboard without knowing what computer is doing the work or where the information is coming from, executives said.

By reducing complexity from the user’s point of view, “It levels the playing field, so to speak,” Robert Carberry, vice president of systems in IBM’s Entry Systems division, said in an interview.