I guess my claim is that earlier and later computers could aboslutely have been used for business, but business simply didn't trust anything that wasn't IBM based.

Agree IBM clones played a big role. But my point is that withot IBM opening the doors and setting the standards, nobody would have bought a clone.

Remember what a big deal it was back then to say you are "IBM compatible."

If you coudn't say that, forget about it.

I think you are presenting this a bit too rose tinted. I think you are not taking into consideration how much leverage big players like IBM had, and just the sheer conservatism and arrogance that existed in the industry at large.

I don't know what it was like for you then, but I felt that shitty attitude all the time from the PC crowd.