IBM PC Convertible

Richard SapperWW-1986-137405

1986·Variable·25 × 31 × 39 cm (9 13/16 × 12 1/8 × 15 1/2 in.)

<p>Introduced to consumers in 1986, the IBM PC Convertible is IBM’s first laptop computer. This revolutionary computer weighed less than 13 pounds and cost consumers approximately $2000. The convertible system was light enough to be carried around but could also function as a primary desktop machine, with a detachable monochrome LCD screen. With no internal operating system, the computer runs off of operating disks in the floppy drive and was introduced with 265K of RAM and memory, and dual 720K 3.5” floppy drives. While the computer did not fair well in the market, many of the components first introduced in this model became standard in future models, including the dual 3.5” floppy drive, the “resume” feature which allowed the computer to sleep rather than be turned off completely, and the option to run the computer with batteries.</p>

Catalogue

Year: 1986
Medium: Variable
Dimensions: 25 × 31 × 39 cm (9 13/16 × 12 1/8 × 15 1/2 in.)
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
Artist: Richard Sapper

Artist

Richard Sapper

Painting

Richard Sapper was a German industrial designer whose work defined the aesthetic and functional language of postwar consumer electronics and household objects. Working primarily in plastic, metal, and rubber, he created products distinguished by their sculptural economy and precise engineering, including the iconic Tolomeo lamp for Artemide and the folding kettle for Alessi. His approach synthesized Italian modernism with German precision, prioritizing tactile experience and intuitive usability across furniture, lighting, and kitchen equipment. Sapper's influence on twentieth-century design extended from Olivetti to Knoll, establishing templates for how everyday objects could balance form and purpose without ornament.

Full artist profile →