---
title: IBM PC JX
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- Intel 8088
params:
  name: PC JX
  image: /media/museum/photos/ibm_pc-jx_1.jpg
  company: /companies/ibm
  company_name: IBM
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PC JX
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: IBM
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: October 1984
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Advanced BASIC (Same as PCjr)
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke 79-key with 10 function-key and arrow keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8088
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4.77 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: No 8087 socket
  - label: RAM
    value: |-
      JX :64k (up to 512k)\
      JX2 : 128k
  - label: VRAM
    value: |-
      JX : 16k\
      JX2 : 32k
  - label: ROM
    value: 128k
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines in 8 colors
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 (16 colors) / 720 x 512 (2 colors)
  - label: COLORS
    value: '16'
  - label: SOUND
    value: 3 channels, 8 octaves
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 2 cartridge ports (64 KB each), Centronics (optional), RS232, Joystick, Light Pen
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 3.5'' disk-drives
  - label: OS
    value: MS DOS 2.1
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Expansion unit - Houses a 5.25'' FDD and 5 expansion slots
  - label: PRICE
    value: |-
      JX2 : 270000 yens (Japan 84)\
      From A$2115 to A$3365 (Australia 1985)
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  forum_thread: 197
  photos:
  - title: IBM JX-5
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Differences between the different JX models are obscure yet...

      Thanks to [FPCU Japan](http://www.nifty.ne.jp/forum/fpcu/pchist/) for this picture
    image: /media/museum/photos/ibm_pc-jx_2.jpg
  - title: AUSTRALIAN VERSION
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/ibm_jx_englishversion_1.jpg
  - title: REAR CONNECTORS
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** Light-pen DIN plug\
      **(2)** Cassette recorder DIN plug\
      **(3)** Audio out jack\
      **(4)** Parallel printer DB25 connector\
      **(5)** Joystick 1\
      **(6)** Koystick 2\
      **(7)** Memory expansion housing\
      **(8)** Serial card housing\
      **(9)** Display connector\
      **(10)** Keyboard RJ45 jack
    image: /media/museum/photos/ibm_jx_back_1.jpg
  - title: AUSTRALIAN KEYBOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      JX compact and extended keyboards provided both infra-red or cabled operation.\
      The infra-red worked well with a distance from the main unit of about 2.5 meters.
    image: /media/museum/photos/ibm_jx_englishkeyboard_1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: JAPANESE AD
    subtitle: ''
    text: Thanks to [P.KATSU](http://club.pep.ne.jp/~p.katsu/pasocata/index.html) for this picture
    image: /media/museum/pubs/ibm_pc-jx_pub-jp_1.jpg
  oc_id: 187
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221203214528/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=187
    date: '2022-12-03'
---

IBM JX was what the PCjr should have been. It was first released in Japan with dual English/Kanji features, but has not been a big succes in that market dominated by Japanese companies.

The Kanji features were then removed and the system was introduced in Australia. It was first submitted to the Victorian Education Department then released for general dealer sales in September 1985.

The JX was thus an enhanced version of the [IBM PC Junior](/museum/ibm-pc-junior/) (which had no great success) with which it was compatible. Its enhanced features were :\
\- the RAM could be extended up to 512 KB instead of 128 KB,\
\- it had two 3.5" floppy drives instead of only one 360 KB 5.25" one\
\- it had a high graphic resolution (750 x 512 instead of 640 x 200)\
\- and the keyboard was a true one (contrary to the early PC Jr which has a poor one).

It used version 2.1 of MS-DOS and functioned exactly the same as an original PC model. However the inside of the computer was vastly different from an IBM PC. The expansion slots were limited and not compatible with IBM-PC slots. Several options were available: Extended 98-key keyboard, joysticks, cassette recorder, light pen, asynchronous communications and additional expansion slots.