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An IBM PC compatible is any personal computer that is hardware- and software-compatible with the IBM Personal Computer and its successors. Like the original IBM PC, an IBM PC–compatible computer uses an x86-based central processing unit, sourced either from Intel or a second source like AMD, Cyrix or other vendors such as Texas Instruments, Fujitsu, OKI, Mitsubishi or NEC, and is capable of using interchangeable commodity hardware such as expansion cards. Initially such computers were referred to as PC clones, IBM clones or IBM PC clones, but the term "IBM PC compatible" is now a historical description only. IBM itself no longer sells personal computers, having sold its division to Lenovo in 2005. However, Lenovo only got a small portion of IBM’s BIOS and UEFI intellectual property after the IBM PC acquisition and after the System x acquisition. "Wintel" is a similar description that is more commonly used for modern computers.
Image: Tiziano Garuti (1000Bit, Public domain · Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
