Before 1944
1944 - 1971
1972 - 1981
1981 - 1990
1990 - 1998
Memories
The Future
Quotes
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 MIPS Technologies unveils the R4000 RISC processor architecture.
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IBM gets rid of its printer and typewriter operation to a New York investment firm. The company Lexmark comes out of the deal. |
Advanced Micro Designs introduces the Am386DX, its first clone chips of Intel's 386DX, at speeds of 20 and 40MHz.
| Lotus Development develops and ships Lotus 1-2-3 for the Macintosh. |
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Apple Computer announces QuickTime software, for integration of dynamic media for Macintosh computers. |
Microsoft releases MS-DOS 5.0. It adds a full-screen editor, undelete and unformat utilities, and task swapping. GW-BASIC is replaced with Qbasic, based on Microsoft's QuickBASIC.
Intel introduces the 50-MHz 486 microprocessor. Speed is 41 MIPS. This new 486 employs 0.8-micron technology.
Microsoft changes the name of the operating system shared with IBM called OS/2 v3.0 to Windows NT 3.0.
| The ban on business is lifted on the Internet. |
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Apple Computer ships its System 7.0 Macintosh operating system for US$100.
The PCMCIA card specification v2.0 is released. This revision includes standards for modems, LAN cards, mass storage, and other peripherals.
Microsoft and others announce the Multimedia PC (MPC) standard.
Apple Computer, Motorola, and IBM officially sign an accord on technology sharing. Apple and IBM will jointly develop the PowerOpen Specification, based on IBM's AIX operating system.
Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh Classic II (replacing the Macintosh Classic). It features a 16-MHz 68030, System 7.0.1, 2MB RAM, 40MB hard drive, B/W monitor, floppy drive, for US$1899.
Apple Computer unveils the Macintosh PowerBook 100. It features a 16-MHz 68000 CPU, System 7.0.1, 20 MB hard drive, 9-inch passive matrix B/W backlit supertwist LCD 640x400 screen, 2 MB RAM, weighs 5.1 pounds, and costs US$2500.
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MIPS Technologies officially introduces the 100-MHz R4000, its 64-bit RISC processor.
IBM and Intel sign a 10-year joint development agreement to create a series of integrated processors.
The Pearl Agency in Germany develops the first software vending machine. The machines allow the buyer to view a demo or product description before purchasing the software on a diskette.
Creative Labs introduces the Sound Blaster Pro Deluxe, the first stereo PC sound card.
Hewlett-Packard introduces its first color image scanner, the HP Scanjet IIc. The 400 dpi 24-bit flatbed scanner is priced at about US$2000.
| Pixar begins work with the Walt Disney Company on a full-length computer animated film. The film will be called "Toy Story" |
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Intel introduces the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) local-bus standard for personal computer systems. Bus speed is 8-33MHz, supporting up to 10 devices. |
| Microsoft stock reaches US$113/share, making Bill Gates the richest man in the United States, at US$6.4 billion. |
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NEC introduces the first double-speed CD-ROM drive.
Microsoft launches its first TV advertising campaign, for Windows.
Intel and Microsoft announce the Advanced Power Management (APM) specification for laptop computers, which allows the system to shut down power to system resources not currently in use.
| Intel introduces the i486DX2 microprocessor, with clock speeds of 25/50-MHz (external/internal). For the most part, the DX2 is just a 25-MHz 486 that internally runs twice as fast. Price is US$550 each. Speed is 41 MIPS. |
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Microsoft ships Windows 3.1. 1 million copies of the new and upgrade versions are sold through retail channels within the first 50 days. |
IBM and Microsoft sign a "divorce" document, allowing source code sharing for current versions operating systems up to September 1993.
Advanced Micro Devices begins work on a fifth-generation x86 processor (in the class of Intel's Pentium chip).
Apple Computer introduces the PowerBook 145, replacing the PowerBook 140. It features a backlit supertwist LCD display, 25-MHz 68030 processor, System 7 operating system, 4MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive, and weighs 6.8 pounds. Price is US$2149.
Intel introduces the 66-MHz i486DX2 microprocessor. Speed is 54 MIPS.
Intel introduces the 66-MHz OverDrive chip as a companion to the 486SX/33.
| Microsoft ships Microsoft Access 1.0 database program for Windows. Price is US$99. |
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Digital Equipment unveils the 150-MHz Alpha 21064 64-bit microprocessor.
Intel introduces the 486SL processor, designed for notebook computers.
Novell buys Unix Systems Laboratories from AT&T, gaining all rights to the Unix source code, for US$150 million.
Novell purchases Digital Research Inc. for US$80 million.
Creative Labs introduces the Sound Blaster 16, a multimedia stanard.
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Intel names their next generation processor "Pentium", to avoid sharing a name with competitors. |
| IBM reports a year-end loss, of US$4.96 billion, on revenues of US$64.5 billion. This is the highest single-year loss for any US company in history. |
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NeXT announces that it will drop its hardware line, to focus on becoming a larger player in the object-oriented software industry. It lays off 330 of its 500 employees.
Pinnacle Micro introduces the first recordable CD-ROM drive, the RCD-202, available only for Apple Macintoshes.
Apple Computer ships the 10 millionth Macintosh computer.
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Digital Equipment announces the 200-MHz Alpha 21064 processor. |
Intel introduces the Pentium processor. It uses 32-bit registers, with a 64-bit data bus, giving it an address space of 4 GB. It incorporates 3.1 million transistors, using 0.8-micron BiCMOS technology. Speeds are 60-MHz (100 MIPS) and 66-MHz (112 MIPS). Prices are US$878 (60-MHz) and US$964 (66-MHz).
The Software Publishers Association reports that MS-Windows applications are outselling MS-DOS programs for the first time.
Compaq Computer, Intel, Microsoft, and Phoenix Technologies define the Plug and Play specification for PCs.
Microsoft formally launches Windows NT 3.1.
The PCI Special Interest Group completes the version 2.0 specification of the PCI local-bus standard for microcomputers.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency officially launches the Energy Star program. Together with 50 major PC manufacturers, the Energy Star guidelines are designed to reduce idle power use of computer system components.
Apple Computer introduces the Newton MessagePad 100 personal digital assistant at Macworld Expo. It features 640KB RAM, 3MB of ROM storing applications and the operating system (Newton Intelligence), a low-voltage 20-MHz 32-bit ARM 610 microprocessor, 240x336 resolution (85 dpi) 2.8 x 4-inch LCD screen, one PCMCIA Type II expansion socket, data transfer of 9600bps, and runs on four AAA batteries.
| PC Gamer, the first computer magazine devoted totally to computer gaming, begins publication. |
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Corel completes its purchase of Ventura Software.
Compton's New Media Incorporated receives a patent on multimedia search and retrieval technology, from the U.S. Patent and Trade Office. Compton's New Media then issues a statement claiming that anyone wishing to sell information in a multimedia format must pay them a license fee.
Gateway 2000 introduces the industry's first VESA VL-bus system.
Novell transfers the Unix trademark to the international X/Open standards organization.
Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh Performa line of computers.
Apple Computer discontinues the Apple II line of computers. In 17 years, 5 million units were sold.
Benny S. Lee, of Everex Systems, Inc. is sentenced to one year in prison for manufacturing and selling counterfeit MS-DOS software. This is the first time a prison sentence is handed down for software counterfeiting in the U.S.
The Multimedia PC Marketing Council sets the MPC Level 2 standard, dictating the minumum configuration required of a PC to run MPC-2 class software. The requirements are: a 486 processor, 160MB hard drive, double speed XA-ready multisession-capable CD-ROM drive, 16-bit sound card, and a 16-bit SuperVGA video card capable of 65,000 colors in 640x480 resolution.
Commodore Business Machines stops producing Intel-based personal computers.
| Silicon Graphics co-founder leaves to start Mosaic Communications. |
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Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows 3.11. It includes minor driver updates, but more importantly it gives Microsoft the opportunity to include a "certificate of authenticity" hologram sticker on the packaging, making illegal copying more difficult.
Apple Computer introduces QuickTime 2.0, with interactive television, music and full-screen video support
Apple Computer unveils and ships its first computers based on the PowerPC 601 processor, the Power Macintosh 6100/60, 7100/66, and 8100/80. All come with 8MB RAM, Ethernet, CD-quality stereo sound, and on-board video. Prices range from US$2000-4000 for complete systems.
Apple Computer releases MacOS System 7.1 and later in the year, 7.5
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Apple Computer introduces QuickTake 100, the first 24-bit color digital camera for under US$1000. |
| Intelits ships 100-MHz IntelDX4 435 processor. Speed is 70.7 MIPS. It uses 1.6 million transistors, employing 0.6-micron technology. The chip has 16KB onboard caches, and operates on 3.3 volts. Price is US$580. |
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Novell buys WordPerfect Corporation for US$850 million.
Aldus and Adobe Systems announce plans to merge the two companies
Commodore International and Commodore Electronics, components of Commodore Business Machines, file for voluntary liquidation.
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Mosaic Communications releases Netscape Navigator 1.0, the Internet browser |
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, after re-examining the patent application it granted to Compton's New Media in August 1993, decides to reject all 41 of the application's claims.
Apple Computer delivers the DOS Compatible Card, but discontinues it after just 2 and a half months.
Microsoft is granted a trademark to the name "Windows" for software products.
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U.S. Robotics ships the Courier v.34 28.8Kbps modems. List price: US$329 internal, US$349 external. |
Microsoft releases MS-DOS 6.22, with disk compression under the name DriveSpace.
Borland International sells its Quattro Pro spreadsheet to Novell for about US$140 million.
Digital Equipment Corporation formally introduces its next-generation Alpha AXP processors, including a 300-MHz version that can execute 1 billion instructions per second (1000 MIPS).
The International Telecommunications Union ratifies the 28.8Kbps V.34 modem standard.
| IBM introduces the Aptiva line. They are built to replace the PS/1 line and are aimed at the home PC market. |
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Microsoft announces and ships Windows NT Workstation 3.5 and Windows NT Server 3.5.
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IBM formally launches OS/2 Warp version 3. |
Seagate Technologies announces the first disc drive and interface achieving a transfer rate of 100 MB per second.
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Apple Computer, Motorola, and IBM announce that they will create a computer platform to run all major operating systems, except the Intel-based Microsoft Windows 3.1 and successors. |
Cyrix announces the M1 next-generation x86 processor.
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Intel confirms that about 2 million Pentium chips have been shipped with a defective floating-point unit. |
Apple Computer demonstrates a PCI-based Power Macintosh using a 120-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.
WordStar International, Spinnaker Software, and SoftKey Software Products merge companies, forming SoftKey International
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Iomega Corp. introduces its Zip drive and Zip disks, floppy disk sized removable storage in sizes 100MB. |
The SCSI-2 standard is finalized.
Apple Computer ships QuickTime VR. This brings virtual reality to Macintosh and Windows-based personal computers.
Radius Incorporated demonstrates the first Power Macintosh clone, using Apple Computer's licensed System 7 operating system.
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Compaq Computer reaches worldwide number one PC marketshare position. |
Apple Computer signs a licensing agreement with Power Computing, DayStar Digital, and Radius, allowing the companies to produce Macintosh compatible computers.
IBM releases PC DOS 7.
At an auction in New York, ESCOM buys all rights, properties, and technologies of Commodore.
Microsoft asks Netscape Communications to agree to not develop Netscape Navigator for Windows 95 and successors. Netscape refuses.
Intel introduces the P6 processor, to be called the Pentium Pro.
Intel announces the immediate availability of the 133-MHz Pentium processor. It uses 3.2 million transistors, employing 0.35 micron BiCMOS technology. Speed is 218.9 MIPS. Price is US$935 each.
Apple Computer introduces the first commercial color laser printer, the Color Laser Printer 12/600PS. The 600x600 dpi printer comes with 12 MB of RAM, uses a Canon-based engine, and costs about US$7,000.
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Iomega introduces the Jaz line of high capacity removable cartridge drives. The cartridges hold 1 gigabyte, costing about US$100 each |
Microsoft releases Windows NT 3.51.
U.S. Robotics begins shipping enhanced Courier V.Everything modems capable of transmitting data at up to 33.6Kbps.
| Cyrix announces the 100-MHz 5x86 microprocessor. |
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Microsoft releases Windows 95. More than 20,000 retail stores offer copies for sale. Microsoft prepares for support calls, with 1600 people staffing tech support lines. 1 million copies of the new and upgrade versions are sold through retail channels within the first 4 days. |
Microsoft introduces Microsoft Office 95.
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A unified standard for DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) technology is announced. |
Diamond Multimedia Systems acquires modem maker Supra, for cash and stock worth US$54 million.
| Intel introduces the 83-MHz Pentium OverDrive processor, for replacement in 33-MHz 486DX and 486DX2/66 systems. Price is about US$300. |
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Seagate Technologies and Conner Peripherals agree to a US$1.1 billion merger.
Digital Equipment announces its Alpha 21164 processor running at 333-MHz.
Novell announces its decision to exit from the personal productivity applications business, to focus on networking software.
Amiga Technologies ships the A4000T microcomputer. It features a 25-MHz Motorola 68040 microprocessor (or 50-MHz 68060), 2 MB chip RAM, 24-bit color, 4-channel stereo sound, IDE and SCSI II adaptors, 3.5 inch 880KB floppy drive, 1 GB hard drive, and the AmigaOS 3.1 operating system.
Intel announces the Pentium Pro microprocessor at speeds of 150-, 180-, and 200 MHz, available initially for US$974 to US$1682. The processor uses 5.5 million transistors.
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Sun Microsystems introduces new Ultra 1 and Ultra 2 workstations, based on the 64-bit UltraSparc microprocessor. Initial speeds are 143-, 167-, and 200-MHz, with prices ranging from US$16,500 to US$60,000. |
IBM, Apple Computer, and Motorola release the PowerPC Platform specifications, called the Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP). It encompasses support for Macintosh System 7, Windows NT, AIX, Solaris, NetWare, and OS/2. Windows 3.x and Windows 95 are excluded.
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Sony Electronics introduces its 32-bit game system, PlayStation. |
Sega introduces the 32-bit game system, Saturn.
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Advanced Micro Devices and NexGen complete their merger, with AMD paying US$623 million for NexGen. |
Intel announces the immediate availability of the 166-MHz Pentium processor. Pricing is US$749 each. The processor utilizes Intel's 0.35 micron manufacturing technology.
Corel purchases WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, and the PerfectOffice application suite from Novell for US$180 million in cash, stock, and future licensing royalties
Intel renames the P7 processor Merced.
Advanced Micro Devices and Intel sign a five-year patent cross-license agreement
| Santa Cruz Operations releases SCO UnixWare 2.1. |
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Silicon Graphics buys Cray Research, at a cost of about US$765 million
Corel releases Corel WordPerfect Suite 7, and Corel Office Professional Suite.
Netscape Communications releases Netscape Navigator 2.02.
Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0.
Intel introduces the 200-MHz Pentium processor. Price is US$599.
Digital Equipment ships 366-MHz and 400-MHz versions of its Alpha 21164 microprocessor
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Nintendo announces the Nintendo 64, a 64-bit console system. |
| Microsoft releases Windows NT 4.0. |
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Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0.
Microsoft unveils Windows CE operating system for hand-held PCs. "CE" stands for Consumer Electronics.
Seagate Technology introduces the Cheetah ST19101 9.1 GB, a 10,000 RPM hard disk drive.
Enorex Microsystems introduces the Enorex Ultra PC line of Digital Equipment Alpha processor-based workstations. The systems offer 366-MHz to 500-MHz speeds, and come with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation. Prices start at US$3000
Microsoft unveils Microsoft Office 97 at Fall Comdex. Prices: standard edition US$499 (upgrade US$209), professional edition US$599 (upgrade US$309)
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Apple Computer buys Steve Jobs' NeXT Software company for about US$425 million in cash and Apple stock. |
Digital Equipment announces availability of the 500-MHz Alpha 21164 processor.
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At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced Micro Devices announces the K6 processor, optimized for 16- and 32-bit code, supporting MMX, and including 32KB cache memory. The chip will plug into a standard Pentium socket. |
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At the Microprocessor Forum, Cyrix announces the M2 processor, optimized for 16- and 32-bit code, supporting MMX, and including 64KB cache memory. The chip will plug into a standard Pentium socket. |
| Microsoft buys WebTV for US$425 million. |
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Steve Jobs announces an investment of US$150 million from Microsoft. |
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Apple Computer releases the Mac OS 8.0 |
| Apple announces it will only sell computers via the CompUSA retail chain and online via the Apple Store. |
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Netscape Communications releases the Netscape Communicator suite, which includes Navigator 4, a mail and news client, and channel viewer.
Microsoft releases a beta test of Windows NT 5.0 at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference
Motorola announces it is leaving the Macintosh market.
The U.S. justice department asks a federal court to hold Microsoft in contempt because it may be forcing PC makers to distribute Internet Explorer as a condition of selling Windows 95. Microsoft is formally charged with violating the terms of the 1995 Final Judgement.
Sun Microsystems takes legal action against Microsoft for shipping Internet Explorer 4.0 with a non-standard implementation of the Java programming language.
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Apple announces the G3 processor, which is twice as fast as a comparably clocked Pentium II chip.
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| Compaq buys Digital Equipment for US$9.6 billion. |
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Microsoft ships Windows 98. |
Netscape announces that it will make its source code available to anyone who wants it.
| Value of internet stocks such as Yahoo! and Infoseek skyrocket. |
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Apple Computer ceases development of its Newton operating system and Newton OS-based products
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Apple Computer releases the iMac. |
| Intel releases the Pentium II 300, 333, 400, 450, and faster processors to the market. |
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Created by Team 22522: Jason, François, and Zac
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© 1998 Team 22522
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