The IBM PC used the 8088 CPU which offered the same 16-bit execution unit of the 8086 (and thus superior to the 8-bit Apple II) while using only an 8-bit bus wh

The IBM PC used the 8088 CPU which offered the same 16-bit execution unit of the 8086 (and thus superior to the 8-bit Apple II) while using only an 8-bit bus which was the same size bus as the Apple II. The 8-bit bus of the 8088 was compatible with the more mature 8085 thus allowing the IBM PC to use more proven, cheaper parts. The 8088 part itself was cheaper than the 8086. In my view, this was a brilliant design choice and a pity that Apple didn't do the same. The 8088 was designed in the Haifa Israeli Design Center.