The 3624 Version 8 incorporated use of a six-row by forty-column dot-matrix customer display,[3] four line by 34 character statement / journal printer, labeled function / account keys, one to two currency cartridges and an optional depository.

Modern ATMs typically are built to expect customers to insert their card with the magnetic strip facing down (with the added benefit of the card issuer's logo being displayed to the customer on insert), although this can be changed to the opposite orientation.

An unfortunate design characteristic of the 3624 was that the vault that contained the cash dispenser was located in the upper area of the unit, making it top-heavy.

Another complaint against the 3624 was the relatively small size of the cash cartridges (used to give money to customers) in comparison to other vendors' equipment at the time.

Part of the reason for the failure of the IBM 473x to take hold in the ATM marketplace was the lack of a backward compatibility to the 3624 protocol when it was introduced.