IBM's release of the IBM PC in August 1981 established an open architecture that competitors could clone, rapidly standardising personal computing hardware across businesses and homes worldwide. The machine ran Microsoft's DOS operating system, cementing the dominance of both companies. For writers and poets, the IBM PC era marked the transition from typewriter to word processor, profoundly changing composing habits, editing practice, and the material culture of literary creation.

The launch of the IBM PC in 1981 broadened access to digital writing tools for poets, allowing for greater experimentation in form and style. This technological shift transformed the landscape of poetry, making it more accessible to a wider audience. Poets like Eileen Myles embraced these new tools, using them to challenge traditional poetic forms and engage with contemporary themes.