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The first PC!
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). -
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Background References
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 first portable PC.
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). -
Microsoft introduces Word for MS-DOS 1.0.
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Apple commercial
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 founded.
America Online is founded by Steve Case, Jim Kinsey, and Marc Seriff. -
Apple PowerBook series.
Apple introduces the PowerBook 100, 140, and 170. Today's laptops continue follow their styling and ergonomic cues. -
Microsoft releases Windows 3.1.
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ISM ThinkPad 700 series.
IBM introduces the ThinkPad 700 series, laying the groundwork for the business laptop. -
First web browser.
NCSA releases Version 1.0 of the Web browser Mosaic. -
Yahoo! founded.
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! -
Amazon.com is founded.
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Microsoft releases Windows 95.
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eBay is founded.
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Palm Pilot series.
Palm introduces the first Palm OS device, the Pilot 1000 and the Pilot 5000. -
High-speed Internet access.
High-speed Internet access via cable modem becomes available. -
Steve Jobs returns to Apple as interim CEO (iCEO) after leaving to form NeXT in 1985 and Pixar Animation Studios in 1986. In 2000 he officially becomes CEO.
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Google founded.
Sergey Brin and Larry Page incorporate Google.com. Google started while they were PhD candidates at Stanford. -
Apple Bondi Blue iMac.
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). -
The much-hyped Y2K bug turns out to be a dud.
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The Wikipedia Project starts.
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Mac OS X 10.0 is released.
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Windows XP is released.
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RIM introduces the first Blackberry, making 24/7 email portable for business users.
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AMD introduces the Athlon 64, the first 64-bit CPU for consumers and business users.
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Facebook founded.
Mark Zuckerberg develops Facebook. Initially made for Harvard students, it eventually becomes the number one social media site. -
Apple iMac G5.
Apple intros the iMac G5 which influences today's all-in-one desktop design. -
You Tube hosts its first video.
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Apple iPhone.
Apple's iPhone introduces the smartphone to the masses. Camping for the launch becomes a media sensation. -
Asus Eee PC.
Asus' Eee PC is the first nettop shipped. The Eee PC 701 goes for $199. -
Microsoft Windows 7.
Microsoft ships Windows 7, replacing Vista. You can still buy a PC with Windows XP on it. -
Apple's iPad redefines mobile computing.
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Intel's Sandy Bridge (Second Generation Core) brings supercomputing power to the desktop and laptop.
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The original IBM PC model 5150 turns 30 years old.
