-
Don Estridge and team launch the IBM PC. A basic model with an Intel 8088 processor, 16K of memory, a 160K floppy disk drive, and an 11.5-inch black-and-white monitor costs $1,565 ($7,564 today).
-
Since the first IBM PC, and with technological advances over time, the PC became one of the most highly desirable products to the masses (Abbate 1999). Abbate, J 1999, ‘Getting small: a short history of the personal computer’, Proceedings of the IEEE,vol. 87, no. 9, pp. 1695-1698. Domingo, J 2011, 30 Years of the PC: A Timeline - Extensive Timeline, viewed 2 August 2014, http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2390914,00.asp.
-
The Compaq Portable, the first IBM-compatible luggable computer, weighs in at 28 pounds. It has a 4.77-MHz Intel 8088 processor, 128K of RAM, a 320K floppy disk drive, and a 9-inch black-and-white monitor. Price: $2,995 ($6,985 today).
-
-
Apple runs its famous 1984 commercial during Super Bowl XVIII. Two days later it officially introduces the Macintosh, with a Motorola 68000 processor, 128K of RAM, a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, and a built-in 9-inch screen. Price: $2,495 ($5,398 today).
-
America Online is founded by Steve Case, Jim Kinsey, and Marc Seriff.
-
Apple introduces the PowerBook 100, 140, and 170. Today's laptops continue follow their styling and ergonomic cues.
-
-
IBM introduces the ThinkPad 700 series, laying the groundwork for the business laptop.
-
NCSA releases Version 1.0 of the Web browser Mosaic.
-
Stanford Ph.D. candidates David Filo and Jerry Yang put together a little Web site to help keep track of Internet resources. They decide to call it Yahoo!
-
-
-
-
Palm introduces the first Palm OS device, the Pilot 1000 and the Pilot 5000.
-
High-speed Internet access via cable modem becomes available.
-
-
Sergey Brin and Larry Page incorporate Google.com. Google started while they were PhD candidates at Stanford.
-
Apple makes a splash with its Bondi Blue iMac. For about $1,300, customers get a machine with a 233-MHz G3 processor, a 4GB hard drive, 32MB of RAM, a CD-ROM drive, and a 15-inch monitor ($1,766 today).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Mark Zuckerberg develops Facebook. Initially made for Harvard students, it eventually becomes the number one social media site.
-
Apple intros the iMac G5 which influences today's all-in-one desktop design.
-
-
Apple's iPhone introduces the smartphone to the masses. Camping for the launch becomes a media sensation.
-
Asus' Eee PC is the first nettop shipped. The Eee PC 701 goes for $199.
-
Microsoft ships Windows 7, replacing Vista. You can still buy a PC with Windows XP on it.
-
-
-
