Yes. My first x86 computer was a 25MHz 386 bought in 1991. Even though 486's were available, it was still the envy of the kids at school. (For a very short time

Yes. My first x86 computer was a 25MHz 386 bought in 1991. Even though 486's were available, it was still the envy of the kids at school. (For a very short time.) I remember seeing some 486 systems advertised for $4-5k, which in 1991 dollars was out of reach of most people. So I can completely believe a 286 would have been a fine laptop in 1989. It wasn't like today, where if you're going to buy a new computer, you might as well always get the latest and greatest.