World's Billionaires

[Rockoon]

its ROM Basics were on pretty much every machine you could buy, including Apples, Atar's, Commodores, Tandys, and IBMs

Oops, IBM did not have a PC, which is why QDOS/86-DOS was bought from SCP.

The original IBM PC was designed before the OS was decided upon, and in fact with no OS in a drive the system booted to ROM BASIC.. and it was when making this ROM BASIC with IBM that Microsoft learned of their desire for an OS. ergo IBM was already doing business with Microsoft for its ROM BASIC.

SCP could not have gotten more than $50K from IBM either. IBM wasn't looking for a risky deal with a rinky-dink outfit.... they were looking for a partner that was sure to deliver.