This episode wraps up the System/360 trilogy by taking things back to where they started for me. We will be looking at System/360 clones, how they could exist, why they existed, and why IBM didn't crush them. We close with a discussion of how these earlier clones impact our understanding of the IBM PC story. The truth is, by 1981 IBM was no stranger to clones. This is the culmination of a wild story, so prepare!   Selected Sources:   - ICL: A Business and Technical History   - Impact Report by INPUT  

Compaq Computer chief executive Eckhard Pfeiffer, expecting basic shift in computer industry, is once again remaking world's top personal computer maker; seeks to fend off mounting threat from personal computer makers like Dell Computer and Gateway 2000 that are able to undercut Compaq and are growing faster by selling made-to-order PC's directly to customers; also seeks to make firm into full-fledged computer company, not just PC supplier; moves seem to herald another round of price cuts; graphs; photo (L)