80286n

The Intel 80286, often referred to as the 286, is a 16-bit microprocessor that was introduced by Intel in 1982. It was a significant advancement over its predecessor, the 8086, offering improved performance and a new operating mode called protected mode. The 80286 was the processor used in the original IBM PC/AT and many other computers during the mid-1980s.

One of the key features of the 80286 was its ability to access up to 16 megabytes of RAM, a substantial increase from the 1 megabyte limit of the 8086. This was achieved through its protected mode, which allowed for memory management and multitasking capabilities. However, the transition between protected mode and the older real mode was cumbersome, often requiring a system reset, which limited its practical use for mainstream operating systems at the time.

Despite this limitation, the 80286's performance was significantly higher than previous Intel processors, making it suitable for more demanding applications. It was widely adopted in business and professional environments. The 80286 was eventually succeeded by the 80386, which offered a full 32-bit architecture and a more robust protected mode, paving the way for modern multitasking operating systems.