1981 - 1990

1982

• Commodore announces the Commodore 64 microcomputer.
• Sharp introduces the Sharp PC-1500 Hand Held Personal Computer.
• Microsoft signs an agreement to develop applications for the Macintosh.
• Intel introduces the 6-MHz 80286 microprocessor.
• Sun Microsystems is founded.
• IBM first offers CP/M-86 for the IBM PC.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 1.1.
• The first IBM PC clone is released by Columbia Data Products.
• Digital Equipment announces Rainbow 100.
• IBM ships the 200,000th IBM PC.
• Hercules announces the Hercules Graphics Card.
• Lotus Development announces of Lotus 1-2-3.
• VisiCorp announces the VisiOn graphical user interface.
• Apple Computer becomes the first personal computer company to reach US$1 billion in annual sales.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft COBOL for MS-DOS.
• Microsoft ships its Multiplan spreadsheet program to IBM for testing and marketing.
• Advanced Micro Devices and Intel sign a 10-year technology exchange agreement.
• John Warnock founds Adobe Systems.
• Mouse Systems introduces the first commercial mouse for the IBM PC.
• Drexel University in Philadelphia announces it will require all students to own a personal computer.

1938

• Apple Computer officially unveils the Lisa computer.
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple IIe.
• Media Distributing offers a 44MB hard drive.
• Sony Electronics announces the 3.5 inch floppy disk and drive, double-sided, double-density, holding up to 1MB.
• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 1.0 for MS-DOS.
• Microsoft introduces Multi-Tool Word for DOS.
• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 4.
• The one millionth Apple II is made.
• AT&T Bell Labs designs C++.
• IBM announces the IBM PC-XT Model 370.
• Texas Instruments withdraws from the personal computer market.
• Microsoft formally announces Microsoft Windows.
• Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 3.0.
• Microsoft again shows Windows to IBM.
• Apple unveils the new Macintosh to the press.
• In an obscure television market Apple Computer runs its "1984" Macintosh ad.
• IBM and Microsoft begin co-developing OS/2.
• Dan Silva and others leave Xerox to form Electronic Arts.
• In its first year, Compaq Computer sells 47,000 computers, worth US$111 million.
• Borland International is founded by Philippe Kahn.
• Novell introduces the NetWare network operating system for the IBM PC.
• Wang announces the single in-line memory module (SIMM).

1984

• Apple Computer runs its "1984" commercial during the NFL SuperBowl.
• Apple Computer's Steve Jobs introduces the Apple Macintosh.
• Commodore announces that during 1983 Commodore sold US$1 billion worth of computers.
• IBM announces the IBM Portable PC.
• NEC introduces the 8-MHz V20 microprocessor.
• 74 days after the introduction of the Macintosh
• Compaq Computer introduces its PCs to Europe.
• Silicon Graphics begins shipping its first 3-D graphics workstations.
• Apple Computer announces that computers have been selling well since its announcement.
• Motorola adds the 68020 32-bit processor to its line.
• Commodore announces the Commodore 16.
• Commodore purchases Amiga Corporation.
• IBM announces the PC-AT.
• IBM announces the Enhanced Graphics Adapter.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.0 for PCs.
• Microsoft gives a demonstration of the final version of Windows to IBM.
• The number of hosts on the Internet reaches 1000.
• Apple Computer launches the "Test Drive a Macintosh" promotion.
• Several companies introduce 2400 baud modems at COMDEX.
• Tandy introduces the Tandy 1000.
• Sierra On-Line releases King's Quest.
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the LaserJet laser printer.
• Apple Computer buys 15% of Adobe.
• MIPS Computer Systems is founded.
• Philips announces CD-ROM players for personal computers.
• MIT begins developing the X Window System.

1985

• Apple Computer runs a TV ad during the SuperBowl called "Lemmings".
• Compaq Computer reports second year revenues of US$329 million.
• Atari introduces the 520ST.
• Former Microsoft founder Paul Allen founds Asymetrix.
• Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak resigns from Apple Computer.
• Apple Computer's board of directors removes Steve Jobs as head of the Macintosh division.
• IBM abandons production of the IBM PCjr.
• Microsoft demonstrates Microsoft Windows at Spring Comdex.
• Mike Markkula backs John Sculley's decision to "banish" Steve Jobs from any official duties at Apple Computer.
• Microsoft and IBM sign a joint-development agreement to work together on future operating systems and environments.
• Aldus releases Aldus PageMaker for the Apple Macintosh.
• Steve Jobs and five senior managers of Apple Computer Inc. found NeXT Incorporated.
• Computer company Gateway 2000 is formed.
• Apple Computer releases the Apple ImageWriter II printer.
• Cauzin releases Cauzin SoftStrips.
• Intel introduces the 16-MHz 80386DX microprocessor.
• Microsoft France releases a French version of Multiplan 2.0 for the IBM PC.
• IBM introduces its token ring network.
• General Electric Information Services begins the GEnie online service.
• Iomega introduces its storage cartridge system to the Macintosh market.
• Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows 1.0.
• Apple Computer and Microsoft sign an agreement regarding Microsoft's use of Apple's visual display.
• Apple Computer's board of directors strips Steve Jobs of all operational responsibilities.
• VisiCorp files for bankruptcy.
• Nintendo introduces the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US.
• Software Arts sells the rights to VisiCalc to Mitch Kapor.
• Novell introduces NetWare 2.0 network operating system.
  

1986

• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh Plus.
• IBM announces the IBM RT Personal Computer.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.2.
• IBM boosts the speed of the IBM PC AT by replacing the CPU with a 8-MHz Intel 80286.
• Compaq Computer joins the Fortune 500 list faster than any company in history.
• Microsoft first sells shares to the public.
• Apple Computer discontinues the original Macintosh.
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect 4.2.
• Ashton-Tate ships the one millionth copy of dBase.
• Lotus Development releases a French version of Lotus 1-2-3 v2.0 in France.
• MIPS Technologies unveils the 8-MHz R2000 32-bit CPU. With 110,000 transistors.
• Adobe introduces Adobe Illustrator.
• NEC Home Electronics introduces its NEC JC-1401P3A Multisync monitor.
• The Small Computer System Interface standard is finalized as ANSI X3.131-1986.

1987

• Intel introduces the 20-MHz 80386DX microprocessor.
• Apple Computer introduces the open architecture Macintosh II.
• Apple Computer makes its 1 millionth Macintosh personal computer.
• U.S. Robotics unveils its 9600 bps Courier HST modem.
• IBM introduces the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2) line.
• IBM unveils its Video Graphics Array (VGA).
• IBM introduces its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA).
• IBM and Microsoft announce Operating System/2 (OS/2).
• IBM announces DOS 3.3 for PCs.
• Microsoft announces Microsoft Windows 2.0.
• Advanced Micro Devices files suit against Intel.
• Sun Microsystems introduces its first SPARC-based system.
• Microsoft acquires Forethought.
• Apple Computer creates the Claris software company.
• Microsoft ships Microsoft Bookshelf, the firsy CD-ROM application.
• Microsoft unveils the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows/386.
• Ven-Tel unveils its EC18K-34 modem.
• Ad Lib Incorporated unveils its Ad Lib Personal Computer Music System.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 4.0 for the PC.
• Borland International ships the Quattro spreadsheet program.
• Intel introduces the 80387 math coprocessor.
• IBM discontinues the IBM PC line.

1988

• ANSI formally adapts SCSI as a standard.
• Apple Computer releases its first Ethernet networking product.
• Spectrum Holobyte introduces Tetris.
• Apple Computer sues Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard for copyright infringement.
• Intel introduces the 25-MHz 80386DX microprocessor.
• Motorola unveils the 88000 processor.
• Apple Computer contracts with Quantum Computer Services to create AppleLink.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.0.
• Intel introduces the 16-MHz 80386SX microprocessor.
• Compaq Computer introduces its first laptop PC with VGA graphics.
• Steve Jobs of NeXT Inc. unveils the first NeXT computer.
• Digital Research transforms CP/M into DR DOS.
• The bus standard used on IBM AT compatibles is given the name Industry Standard Architecture.
• W.H. Sim founds Creative Labs, Inc.
• Atari sues Nintendo.
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP DeskJet inkjet printer.
• The CD-ROM format ISO 9660:88 is adopted.
• 1989
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh SE/301
• The VESA graphics standard emerges.
• Intel begins production of the 80486 microprocessor.
• Intel announces the 25-MHz 486 microprocessor.
• Intel introduces the 33-MHz version of the 80386DX microprocessor.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 5.0 for DOS.
• The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) is formed.
• Apple Computer introduces 1.4MB floppy drives for the Macintosh.
• Apple Computer and Microsoft announces an alliance to develop a new font standard.
• Cyrix introduces the FasMath 83D87 math coprocessor.
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect 5.1.
• At Fall Comdex, IBM and Microsoft strongly endorse each other's operating systems.
• Xerox files a US$150 million lawsuit aginst Apple.
• Intel unveils the i860 RISC processor.
• Creative Labs introduces the Sound Blaster.
• Sun Microsystems announces the 12.5 MIPS 20-MHz SPARCstation.
• 1990
• Motorola announces the availability of its 32-bit 25-MHz microprocessor.
• Intel introduces the 33-MHz 486 microprocessor.
• Microsoft introduces and ships Microsoft Windows 3.0.
• Digital Research releases DR DOS 5.0.
• The US Federal Trade Commission begins an investigation of Microsoft Corp.
• Microsoft's sales revenues hit US$1 billion for the past year.
• Acer Incorporated buys Alto Computer Systems for US$94 million.
• The IEEE approves the 10BASE-T Ethernet specification.
• IBM and Microsoft end cooperative work on operating systems.
• Apple Computer discontinues many of it's Macintoshes.
• IBM introduces the XGA MCA graphics card.
• Apple Computer's AppleLink - Personal Edition is renamed America Online.
• Motorola announces a new line of single-chip RISC processors.
• A judge rules that competitors to Intel can use the x86 designation.
• US District Court throws out 5 of 6 claims in Xerox' suit against Apple Computer.

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