In an age before PCs, when typing was still done primarily only by clerical staff, the OS/6 was intended for what IBM envisioned as centralized word processing centers at large organizations.

[citation needed] This processor is a single-chip FET microprocessor designed by Richard Vrba.

Instead, it was announced in 1977 that Mag Card II users would be able to add a communications option to link up with System 6.

System 6 building blocks are monitor, keyboard, magnetic card unit, inkjet, and daisy wheel printers, and a floppy disk station.

[6] In 1978, a stand-alone CPU (without magnetic card and printing capabilities) was added to the product line, the IBM 6/420 Information Processor.