Chronology of Events
in the
History of Microcomputers

Last updated: 1998 October 23

1986

January

• NeXT and Apple Computer reach an out-of-court settlement on Apple Computer's lawsuit against NeXT. [734.99]
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.25. [346.268]
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh Plus. It features a 8-MHz 68000 processor, 1 MB RAM, SCSI connector for hard drive support, a new keyboard with cursor keys and numeric keypad, and an 800 KB 3.5-inch floppy drive. Price is US$2600. It is the first personal computer to provide embedded SCSI support. [46] [75] [120] [140] [180.222] [203.68] [346.167] [346.268] [593.350] [597.94] [611.41] [750.49]
• Apple Computer introduces the LaserWriter Plus printer. [346.268]
• John Sculley becomes chairman of Apple Computer. [75]
• Compaq Computer reports third year revenues of US$503.9 million, a U.S. business record. [113]
• Eric Graham shows his "Juggler" demo animation on the Amiga, showing the Amiga's capabilities of ray-traced animation merged with digitized sound. [442.31]
• IBM announces the IBM RT Personal Computer, using RISC-based technology from IBM's "801" project of the mid-70s. It is one of the first commercially-available 32-bit RISC-based computers. The base configuration has 1MB RAM, a 1.2MB floppy, and 40 MB hard drive, for US$11,700. With performance of only 2 MIPS, it is doomed from the beginning. [31] [116] [205.114] [329.129]
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 3.2. It adds support for 3.5-inch 720 KB floppy disk drives. [130] (December 1995 [146]) (March [346.254])
• Sun Microsystems first sells shares to the public. [734.219]

February

• The first issue of Amazing Computing for users of the Commodore Amiga is published. [622.180]
• Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Portable II. [108]
• Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 1.1. [130]
• Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 1.2. [130]
• Microsoft moves from Bellevue to Redmond, Washington. [123] (March [346.224])
• Microsoft releases a French version of Windows 1.02. [346.268]

March

• Apple Computer acquires rights to publish a French database program, 4th Dimension, in the US. [617.4]
• The First International Conference on CD-ROM is held in Seattle, Washington, hosted by Microsoft. [58] [123]
• IBM begins shipping the IBM RT PC. [117]
• Microsoft first sells shares to the public, for US$21 per share. The initial public offering raises US$61 million. Bill Gates quickly becomes the world's youngest billionaire. [75] [123] [346.220] [346.268] [389.28]
• Silicon Graphics decides to switch from the Motorola 68000 line to MIPS Technologies' line of RISC processors. [160]

April

• Burrell Smith and Michael Boich start Radius, Inc., to produce Apple Macintosh enhancement products. [650.41]
• IBM announces the IBM PC Convertible, 80C88-based, 256K RAM, and two 720K floppy disks, for US$2000. [35] [41] [109] [116] [120] [146]
• IBM discontinues the IBM Portable PC. [117]
• Satellite Software International ships Student WordPerfect for US$75. [330.108]
• IBM boosts the speed of the IBM PC AT by replacing the CPU with a 8-MHz Intel 80286. [117] [120]
• Jim Manzi is named chief executive officer of Lotus Development Corp. [217]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 3.0 for DOS. [346.131] [502.49]
• Compaq Computer joins the Fortune 500 list faster than any company in history. [113]
• Compaq Computer ships its 500,000th personal computer. [113]
• Apple Computer discontinues the original Macintosh. [597.94]
• Apple Computer discontinues the Macintosh 512K. [46] [75] [597.94]
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh 512K Enhanced, for US$2000. It features an 8-MHz 68000 processor, 512 KB RAM, and 800 KB 3.5-inch floppy drive. [46] [75] [597.94]
• Satellite Software International changes its name to WordPerfect Corporation. [109] [330.116]

May

• IBM ships TopView 1.1. [130]

June

• Systems incorporating MIPS Technologies' R2000 processor begin shipping. [556.13]

July

• Apple Computer discontinues the Macintosh XL. [75]
• Jim Manzi is appointed chairman of Lotus Development. [217]
• Byte by Byte releases Sculpt 3-D for the Amiga, the first 3-D modelling program to ship for the Amiga. [442.35]
• Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development, resigns. [346.280] [548.429] [618.158]

August

• Intel ships the 80386. [31] [108]
• Microsoft announces Works for the Macintosh. [346.268]

September

• Little-known company Advanced Logic Research announces the first 386-based PC, the Access 386. [16] [620.123]
• Compaq Computer introduces the first 16-MHz Intel 80386-based PC, the Compaq Deskpro 386. [31] [41] [108] [117] [203.87] [346.197] [346.269] [620.123]
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple IIGS, with the Apple 3.5 drive, for US$1000. It uses the Western Digital Center W65C816 (65816) microprocessor, operating at 1-MHz or 2.8-MHz. [46] [75] [120] [199.1] [218] [593.350]
• Apple Computer releases AppleWorks 2.0. [218]
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple 3.5 drive for the Mac and the Apple IIGS. [218].
• IBM announces the IBM PC-XT Model 286, with 640KB RAM, 1.2MB floppy drive, 20MB hard drive, serial/parallel ports, and keyboard for US$4000. [35] [109] [116] [117] [120]
• Leon Williams is made president of MicroPro. [307.98]
• Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 1.3. [130]
• Steve Jobs decides to use erasable optical disk drives for the first NeXT machine. [170.66]

October

• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect 4.2 for US$500. [330.109] [502.49]
• Microsoft announces Microsoft Word 3.0 for the Macintosh. [346.139] [346.269]
• The first AmiEXPO is held, in New York City. [442.37]
• Impulse releases Silver 1.0 for the Amiga. [442.37]
• Ashton-Tate ships the one millionth copy of dBase. [346.269]

November

• The TV show, "The Entrepreneurs" airs nationally on PBS in the US. One segment shows Steve Jobs and his NeXT employees discussing business at a company retreat. [734.97]
• Lotus Development releases a French version of Lotus 1-2-3 v2.0 in France. [346.118]

December

• Aldus PageMaker is released for the PC. [120]
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect for the Apple IIgs for US$180. [330.109]

(month unknown)

• (spring) AT&T creates the first silicon fabrication of its CRISP architecture CPU, incorporating 172,163 transistors, and operating at 16-MHz. [660.6]

(month unknown)

• Amstrad takes over the Sinclair computer operation, in England. [499.22]

(month unknown)

• Microsoft purchases Dymanical Systems, Inc., makers of a TopView clone called Mondrian. [45]

(month unknown)

• Inmos releases the T800 Transputer, a RISC processor with integrated floating-point capabilities. [556.24]

(month unknown)

• Motorola begins work on the 88000 processor. [160]

(month unknown)

• Digital Research introduces its GEM operating environment for MS-DOS. [205.40]

(month unknown)

• MIPS Technologies unveils the 8-MHz R2000 32-bit CPU. With 110,000 transistors, it achieves a speed rating of 5 MIPS. [176.75] (1985 [206.124])

(month unknown)

• MIPS Technologies begins volume shipments of the R2000 processor. [160]

(month unknown)

• NexGen begins work on the design of a fifth generation x86 processor, called the F86. [206.96] [659.9]

(month unknown)

• Adobe introduces Adobe Illustrator, a PostScript drawing tool, for the Macintosh. [618.226]

(month unknown)

• Motorola announces the 68030 microprocessor. It uses about 300,000 transistors. [16] [423.136]

(month unknown)

• Commodore releases Transformer software for the Amiga, which, along with the Commodore 1020 5 1/4-inch disk drive, provides limited MS-DOS compatibility. [621.32]

(month unknown)

• NEC Home Electronics introduces its NEC JC-1401P3A Multisync monitor, the first multisyncing monitor. [109] (1985 [582.91])

(month unknown)

• Software Publishing Corporation introduces Harvard Presentation Graphics for the PC. [109]

(month unknown)

• Ashton-Tate buys Decision Resources. [650.74]

(month unknown)

• IBM begins work on what would become the IBM RS/6000 series. [157]

(month unknown)

• Gateway 2000 ships its first PC. [183]

(month unknown)

• NexGen is founded. [206.30]

(month unknown)

• Work begins on SCSI-2. [543]

(month unknown)

• The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI-1) standard is finalized as ANSI X3.131-1986. [542.111] [543] [708.44]

(month unknown)

• AT&T produces a 32-bit CISC processor, the WE32100. [660.1]

(month unknown)

• MIT releases the X v10.4 windowing system. [707.207]

(month unknown)

• Kirk Frantz and Mark Frantz start Mead Computer company. [486.50]

1987

January

• Microsoft France releases a French version of Multiplan 3.0 for the IBM PC. [346.119]
• Lotus Development files a lawsuit against Paperback Software (maker of VP-Planner) and Mosaic Software (maker of The Twin), claiming infringement of copyrights over the look and feel of 1-2-3. [116] [217]
• Microsoft begins shipping Microsoft Word 3.0 for the Macintosh. [346.140]
• Byte by Byte releases Animate 3-D for the Amiga. [442.35]
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple Platinum IIe. [218]

February

• Cauzin abandons the Cauzin SoftStrips product. [582.202]
• Intel introduces the 20-MHz 80386DX microprocessor. [62]
• Commodore announces the Amiga 500. It features a 68000 processor, 512KB RAM, floppy disk drive, and custom chips for animation, video, and audio. [16] [442.40]
• Commodore announces the Amiga 2000. [16]
• Apple Computer's John Sculley tells Ashton-Tate's Ed Esber that Apple Computer will not compete with Ashton-Tate by publishing the 4th Dimension database program. [617.6]

March

• Apple Computer introduces 800KB floppy drives for the Macintosh. [582.95]
• Apple Computer introduces the open architecture Macintosh II. It uses a 16-MHz 68020 processor. The basic system sells for US$3900. A system with 1MB RAM, one 800K floppy drive, and a 40MB hard drive is priced at US$5500. The system features a plug-and-play architecture for expansion cards. [16] [41] [46] [75] [120] [140] [203.68] [593.350] [597.94]
• Apple Computer makes its 1 millionth Macintosh personal computer. [663.87] [734.69]
• Apple Computer introduces the expandable Macintosh SE. It uses a 8-MHz 68000 processor, and comes with 1 MB of RAM. A dual floppy system sells for US$2900. With a 20 MB hard drive, price is about US$3800. [16] [46] [75] [120] [593.350] [597.94]
• Apple Computer discontinues the Macintosh 512K Enhanced. [597.94]
• Apple Computer introduces NuBus as the Mac's standard bus. [178]
• U.S. Robotics unveils its 9600 bps Courier HST modem, for US$995. BBS sysops can purchase the modem for US$495. [111]
• 3M introduces the 2-MB high density 3 1/2-inch diskette. [307.78]
• Aegis Development releases VideoScape 3D for the Amiga. [442.35]

April

• Lotus Development announces it will create new versions of Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS, OS/2 Presentation Manager, the Macintosh, and mainframe computers. [627.73]
• IBM introduces the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2) line, with IBM's first 386 PC, and 3.5-inch floppy drives as standard. The PS/2 Model 30 uses a 8-MHz 8086, the Model 50 and 60 use the 10-MHz 80286, and the Model 80 uses a 20-MHz 80386. [35] [75] [116] [120] [203.27] [205.34] [330.132] [346.199] [346.269] [415.59] [620.124] [618.285]
• Guy Kawasaki resigns from Apple Computer. [617.8]
• ACIUS is formed, with the primary purpose of producing the 4th Dimension database in the U.S. market. [617.8]
• IBM unveils its Video Graphics Array (VGA) in its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line. VGA offers 256 simultaneous colors at a resolution of 320x200, and 16 colors at 640x480. The colors displayed have six bits of depth for each primary color, giving a palette of 262,144 different colors to select from. [116] [120] [346.199]
• IBM unveils its Multicolor Graphics Array (MCGA) on its PS/2 Model 30. The MCGA is limited to 64K of memory, limiting 640x480 resolution to just 2 colors, but still allowing 320x200 in 256 colors. [116]
• IBM introduces its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) on its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line. [116] [346.199] [346.269] [415.59] [522.165]
• IBM and Microsoft announce Operating System/2 (OS/2). [16] [31] [41] [123] [130] [146] [150] [346.200] [346.269] [379.256] [389.28] [415.59]
• IBM announces the 8514/A Display Adapter, a high-resolution graphics card for the MCA PS/2 line. The 8514/A adds 1024x768 in 16 colors to the standard VGA, at a cost of US$1290. With the addition of a US$270 Memory Expansion Kit, 640x480 and 1024x768 resolutions can be had in 256 colors. [117] (June [307.110])
• IBM announces the 8514 16-inch monitor, for US$1550. [117]
• IBM announces DOS 3.3 for PCs, for US$120. It adds support for 1.44 MB floppy disks, and multiple 32 MB hard drive partitions. [117] [146] [329.113] [346.254] [748.39]
• Microsoft announces Microsoft Windows 2.0. [123] [137]
• Wang begins shipping 386-based PCs. [307.134]
• IBM ships TopView 1.12. [130]
• Advanced Micro Devices files suit against Intel, claiming Intel had breached contractual obligations in a 1982 technology sharing agreement between the two companies. [141]

May

• PC MOS 1.0 ships. [130]
• Quarterdeck Office Systems ships DESQview 2.0. [130]
• Microsoft releases Excel 1.04 for the Macintosh II. [346.269]

June

• Casady & Greene release QuickDex for the Macintosh, for US$35. [582.200]
• IBM withdraws TopView from the market. [346.285] (1986 [383.14])
• Atari introduces the Atari XE Game System, with 64KB RAM, supporting 256KB game cartridges. [319]
• Microsoft and IBM release the OS/2 developers' kit. [493.65]
• Microsoft sells its 500,000th mouse. [346.269]

July

• WordPerfect creates an Amiga/Atari division within the company. [330.107]
• Microsoft acquires Forethought, maker of the PowerPoint presentation graphics program for the Macintosh. [346.269] (buys PowerPoint from Forethought for US$14 million [663.87])
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect for the Amiga for US$400. [330.109]
• Zilog introduces its Z-280 16-bit version of the Z-80 CPU. [32]
• Sun Microsystems introduces its first SPARC-based system, the Sun-4/260, with 10 MIPS performance. [160] [176.75]
• Sun Microsystems offers licenses for its SPARC microprocessor architecture. [171.80] (October [174.56])
• Apple Computer creates the company Claris, to handle some of Apple Computer's software for the Apple II and Macintosh. Apple Computer owns 82% of the company's stock. [218] [419.75] (April [627.203])
• IBM ships the first PS/2 Model 80 systems. [307.134]

August

• Raymond Lau releases Stuffit file archive utility for the Macintosh, for US$15. [582.199]
• IBM introduces the PS/2 Model 25, with an 8-MHz Intel 8086, combined system unit with monitor, no hard drive, and reduced-size keyboard, starting at US$1350. [118] [120]
• Microsoft ships MS-DOS 3.3. [130]
• Apple Computer introduces HyperCard (with script language HyperTalk), MultiFinder 5.0 cooperative multitasking, and AppleFax Modem for the Macintosh, at the Macworld Expo. [140] [180.247] [320.36] [413.196] [593.350] [750.50]
• Tandy introduces the Tandy 1000 TX, 1000 HX, 1400 LT, and 4000. [319.43]
• The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) is formed. [10]

September

• Ashton-Tate ships dBase for the Macintosh. [617.4] (1988 [650.74])
• Microsoft ships Microsoft Bookshelf, its first CD-ROM application. [123]
• Lotus Development announces Lotus 1-2-3 for the Macintosh. [346.170]

October

• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 2.01 for MS-DOS. [502.49]
• Microsoft unveils the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for Windows. [119] [123] [346.204] [389.28] [477.159] (November [346.270])
• Microsoft ships Microsoft Works for DOS. [346.236] [770.312] (March 1988 [346.270])
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows/386, priced at US$195. [120] [130] [477.159] (November [346.270])
• Microsoft ships Windows 2.0. [75] [130] [346.193] [346.206] [477.159] (v2.03 [136]) (November [146] [346.270])
• Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Deskpro 386/20, featuring a 20-MHz Intel 80386 and a cache controller. [119] [650.115]
• Compaq Computer introduces the 20-MHz Compaq Portable 386. [119]
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect for the Atari ST for US$400. [330.109]
• Ven-Tel unveils its EC18K-34 modem, which it claims can operate at up to 18,000 bps, with data compression achieving a throughput of 19,200 bps on normal voice phone lines. The cost of the modem is US$1400. [120]
• Ad Lib Incorporated unveils its Ad Lib Personal Computer Music System for US$245. The card provides FM synthesis with 11 simultaneous voices. [120]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 4.0 for the PC. [346.270] (September [502.49])
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 3.0 for the Macintosh. [346.270]

November

• Borland International ships the Quattro spreadsheet program, including emulation of Lotus 1-2-3 commands. This emulation will result in a nine-year legal battle over "look and feel" with Lotus Development. [453.4]
• Compaq Computer makes its 1 millionth personal computer. [47] [113]
• IBM reports that it has shipped 1 million PS/2 systems. [327.26]
• Impulse releases Silver 2.0 for the Amiga. [442.37]

December

• Microsoft ships the one millionth copy of Windows. [346.270]
• Microsoft releases OS/2 1.0. [346.270] [379.256]
• IBM ships first copies of OS/2 Standard Edition 1.0. [31] [75] [130] [134] [135] [329.5] (November [146])

(month unknown)

• (spring) AT&T creates a modified silicon fabrication of its CRISP architecture CPU, operating at 20-MHz. [660.6]

(month unknown)

• (summer) ComputerLand is sold for about US$150 million. Only two years earlier it was worth about US$1.4 billion. [647.95]

(month unknown)

• (late) Apple Computer begins shipping the Macintosh II. [710.136]

(month unknown)

• Mouse Systems changes its name to MSC Technologies. [627.204]

(month unknown)

• Commodore launches its first IBM PC-compatible machines, the PC10-1 and PC10-2. Both use a 4.77 MHz Siemens 8088. [115]

(month unknown)

• The Swedish National Board for Measurement and Testing makes a set of recommendations regarding electromagnetic emissions from monitors. This set is referred to as MPR. [688.117]

(month unknown)

• Lotus Development announces its intention to announce Lotus 1-2-3 for the Macintosh. [679.30]

(month unknown)

• Keith Sorenson founds RasterOps. [614.111]

(month unknown)

• Phar Lap Software and Quarterdeck Office Systems develop the Virtual Control Program Interface (VCPI), to allow 80386 protected-mode DOS extended applications to coexist with 80386-specific memory managers [511.366]

(month unknown)

• Intel introduces the 80387 math coprocessor. [511.312]

(month unknown)

• Letraset releases ImageStudio, the first commercial, gray-scale image-editing program for the Macintosh. [582.94]

(month unknown)

• Ashton-Tate releases the Rapidfile database file manager for MS-DOS. [650.74]

(month unknown)

• Ashton-Tate releases the Byline desktop publishing program for MS-DOS. [650.74]

(month unknown)

• Motorola unveils the 68030 microprocessor. [120]

(month unknown)

• U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier HST 9600 modem. [235]

(month unknown)

• IBM discontinues the IBM PC line. [203.28]

(month unknown)

• Linus introduces the WriteTop microcomputer, the first pen-based computer. It runs MS-DOS, uses an 8088 processor, and weighs 9 pounds. [421.130]

(month unknown)

• Hewlett-Packard releases the HP PaintJet color inkjet printer. [533.170]

(month unknown)

• Monolithic Memories merges with Advanced Micro Devices. [732.74]

(month unknown)

• National Semiconductor acquires Fairchild Semiconductor. [732.74]

1988

January

• ANSI formally adapts SCSI as a standard. [750.49]
• Apple Computer releases its first Ethernet networking product, the EtherTalk NB Card for NuBus equipped Macintosh computers. [675.197]
• Impulse releases Turbo Silver 3.0 for the Amiga. [442.37]
• Spectrum Holobyte introduces Tetris for the PC, the first entertainment software imported from the Soviet Union. [307.98]

February

• Apple Computer ships A/UX for the Macintosh II, Apple Computer's combination of the Mac interface with Unix. [46] [75] [611.120]
• Compaq Computer reports sales for the year reach US$1.2 billion, setting the record as the fastest company to reach that mark. [113]

March

• Apple Computer sues Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard for copyright infringement regarding Microsoft's Windows 2.03, Hewlett-Packard's NewWave, and the Macintosh OS. [38] [46] [75] [309.256] [328.15] [346.193] [346.270] [477.160] [548.337] [580.191]
• The Open Software Foundation is founded. [153] (May [160])

April

• Tandy announces the Tandy 5000MC, using IBM's MCA bus. [315.18]
• Dell announces its first PC using IBM's MCA bus. [315.18]
• Olivetti announces its first PC using IBM's MCA bus. [315.18]
• Intel introduces the 25-MHz 80386DX microprocessor. Speed is 8.5 MIPS. [62]
• Motorola unveils the 88000 processor. [160]
• Weitek introduces the Weitek 3167 math coprocessor chip as an enhancement to Intel's 386 CPU. The 3167 is a single chip equivalent to Weitek's earlier 1167 circuit board coprocessor. [511.319]

May

• Apple Computer first mentions System 7, at the Developer's conference. [750.52]
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect 5.0 for US$500. [502.49]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel 1.5 for the Macintosh. [346.170]
• Lotus Development ships the four millionth copy of Lotus 1-2-3. [346.270]
• Apple Computer contracts with Quantum Computer Services to create the AppleLink - Personal Edition (later renamed America Online). [218]

June

• Lotus Development ceases production of Lotus Jazz. [582.200]
• An article in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine reports that pregnant women who worked with computer screens for more than 20 hours per week were 80% more likely to suffer miscarriage than women who did not use VDTs. [558.142]
• IBM announces the PS/2 Model 70, as 16-, 20-, and 25-MHz 80386 systems. [131]
• Microsoft ships Windows 2.1 as Windows/286 and Windows/386. [136] [146] (1987 [45])
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.0, including a graphical/mouse interface. [346.255]
• Intel introduces the 16-MHz 80386SX microprocessor, like the 80386 but with a 16-bit data bus. Price is US$219 each, in quantities of 100. Speed is 2.5 MIPS. [177.103] [296] [477.126] [540.64] [62] [627.82]

July

• Businessland buys the Computer Craft chain of retail computer stores for about US$24 million in a stock swap. [734.205]
• Lotus Development ships Agenda. [307.87]
• IBM ships OS/2 Extended Edition 1.0. [31]
• IBM ships DOS 4.0. It adds a shell menu interface and support for hard disk partitions over 32 MB. [31] [146]

September

• Apple Computer introduces the Apple IIc Plus for US$1100. [46] [593.350] (April [75]) (US$675 [218])
• IBM introduces the IBM PS/2 Model 30 286, using the AT-bus. It features a 10-MHz 286, 512KB RAM, VGA, and 20MB hard drive. [133] [308.40]
• Claris releases AppleWorks 2.1. [218]
• 61 companies support the formation of the Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA). Companies include Compaq Computer, AST, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, NEC Technologies, Olivetti, Tandy, Wyse, Zenith, Microsoft. [113] [157] [308.40] [346.199] [346.271] [522.167]
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh IIx computer, using Motorola's 16-MHz 68030 and 68882 processors. Base price is US$7770 with a 1.4 MB SuperDrive floppy drive, and 4 MB RAM, or US$9200 including an 80 MB hard drive. [46] [75] [593.350] [597.95]
• Apple Computer releases GS/OS, a 16-bit operating system for the Apple IIGS. [218]
• SPEC is formed, with the aim of producing a benchmark based on a standard set of real-life applications programs. [156]
• Tandy ships the first MCA-bus-based clone PC, the Tandy 5000 MC. [133]
• Compaq Computer introduces its first laptop PC with VGA graphics, the Compaq SLT/286. It has a 12-MHz 286, 640KB RAM, 20-40MB hard drive, 3.5-inch disk drive, and built-in 10-inch grayscale LCD VGA screen. Price is up to US$5800. [133] [308.37]

October

• Steve Jobs begins persuading Lotus Development to develop the Improv spreadsheet program for the NeXT computer. [734.266]
• Ashton-Tate releases dBase IV for MS-DOS. [650.79]
• Microsoft releases QuickBASIC 4.5. [539.PC-20]
• Symantec ships Q&A for OS/2. [522.41]
• Apple Computer and Quantum Computer Services launch the AppleLink Personal Edition computer network. [316.22]
• Microsoft and IBM ship OS/2 1.1 Standard Edition with Presentation Manager. [16] [45] [123] [134] [135] [313.105] [379.256] [477.160] [522.41] [620.125]
• Microsoft releases OS/2 LAN Manager for networked PCs. [346.271]
• Steve Jobs of NeXT Inc. unveils the first NeXT computer, at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. For US$6500, it features: 25-MHz Motorola 68030 processor and 68882 math coprocessor, 8MB RAM, 17-inch monochrome monitor, 256MB read/write magneto-optical drive, and object-oriented NeXTSTEP operating system. It is dubbed the "Cube" because its system box measures 1 foot on all sides. [139] [170.65] [191.76] [203.7] [206.289] [344] [346.280] [734.14,162,166] (August [11])

November

• ReadySoft demonstrates its AMAX Macintosh emulator for the Amiga at the World of Commodore show. [623.45]
• Ashton-Tate sues Fox Software and Santa Cruz Operations for infringing copyrights on the dBase language. [25] [148] [548.344] [650.66]
• The Ami word processor for Windows is released. [477.160]
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.01. [146] [748.29]
• Byte by Byte releases Sculpt Animate 4-D for the Amiga. [442.35]

December

• Commodore announces the A2286D Bridgeboard for the Amiga 2000. The A2286D contains an 8-MHz Intel 80286 and a 1.2 MB 5 1/4-inch disk drive. [621.36]

(month unknown)

• (early) Apple Computer pays AT&T Microelectronics to develop a low-power, second-generation version of AT&T's C-machine Reduced Instruction Set Processor (CRISP), for use in Apple Computer's pen-based system. [660.1]

(month unknown)

• (early) Aldus has a prototype of Flintstone running, a word processing package for Windows. [618.261]

(month unknown)

• (spring) Microsoft releases Microsoft PowerPoint for the Macintosh. [686.50]

(month unknown)

• (mid) Researchers at Apple Computer begin investigating using Acorn Computer's Acorn RISC Machine microprocessor in future Apple Computer products. [675.41]

(month unknown)

• (fall) An engineering task force at Digital Equipment begins project Alpha, to develop a new processor architecture to succeed the VAX. [386.61] [754.141] (begins in mid-1989 [661.7])

(month unknown)

• (fall) Microsoft's Bill Gates shows Aldus' Paul Brainerd a prototype of Word for Windows. Brainerd decides to cancel Aldus' Flintstone word processor project. [618.261]

(month unknown)

• (fall) ventura Publisher 2.0 for DOS is released. Price: US$895. [627.125]

(month unknown)

• (late) Quote by Bill Gates, of Microsoft, on Steve Jobs' introduction of the NeXT computer: "He put a microprocessor in a box. So what?". [734.14]

(month unknown)

• (late) Quote by Bill Gates, of Microsoft, when asked if he would develop software for the NeXT computer: "Develop for it? I'll piss on it.". [734.14]

(month unknown)

• Solbourne Computer Incorporated is the first vendor to produce a Sun-compatible SPARC-based computer. [173.81]

(month unknown)

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Office for the Macintosh. [687.139]

(month unknown)

• Compaq Computer and other companies form the "Gang of Nine", to improve on the AT-bus, rather than take IBM's approach of abandoning it. [203.29]

(month unknown)

• Digital Research transforms CP/M into DR DOS. [478.3]

(month unknown)

• Toshiba introduces the T1600 16-MHz 286 portable. [313.36]

(month unknown)

• NeXT begins negotiations with Businessland for a possible deal to sell NeXT computers outside of the education market. [734.201]

(month unknown)

• Digital Equipment and Apple Computer agree to integrate Macintosh and Vax computers. [663.88]

(month unknown)

• Intel ships the i960KB, a quasi-RISC processor. [556.24]

(month unknown)

• Ashton-Tate releases the Full Impact spreadsheet program for the Macintosh. [679.30]

(month unknown)

• ComputerLand co-founder John Martin files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, claiming US$1.6 bilion in debts. [647.95]

(month unknown)

• Quote from Intel General Manager Richard Bader: "The market is confusing, although it provides us with some sort of job security." [307.214]

(month unknown)

• Quote from WordPerfect CEO and President Alan Ashton: "If we continue to be solid, careful, and flexible, and give good service, it'll be pretty hard for someone to uproot us, unless we become too proud". [307.214]

(month unknown)

• Quote from IBM Chairman John Akers: "We're trying to change the habits of an awful lot of people. That won't happen overnight, but it will bloody well happen." [307.214]

(month unknown)

• AutoDesk buys Xanadu Operating Company. [677.49]

(month unknown)

• Quote from Compaq Computer President and CEO Rod Canion: "If people are going to buy Micro Channel, they're going to buy it from IBM." [307.214]

(month unknown)

• The bus standard used on IBM AT compatibles is given the name Industry Standard Architecture (ISA). [545.355]

(month unknown)

• W.H. Sim founds Creative Labs, Inc., in California, USA, a subsidiary of Creative Technology. [221]

(month unknown)

• Atari sues Nintendo, accusing it of engaging in monopolistic practices. [548.364]

(month unknown)

• U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier Dual Standard modem, supporting both v.32 and HST protocols, and the Courier v.32 modem. Prices are US$1600 and US$1500, respectively. [235] [313.34]

(month unknown)

• Tandy announces Thor CD, an erasable compact disk system for music, video, or data. [306.33]

(month unknown)

• Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP DeskJet inkjet printer. Price: US$1000. [309.89] [315.48]

(month unknown)

• Tandy acquires GRiD Systems. [510.41]

(month unknown)

• Adobe ships Adobe Illustrator 88 for the Macintosh. [582.92] [618.226]

(month unknown)

• Aldus ships Aldus FreeHand for the Macintosh. [582.92]

(month unknown)

• Novell ships NetWare for the Macintosh. [582.92]

(month unknown)

• NEC Technologies introduces the 4.2-pound NEC UltraLite laptop PC, the first "subnotebook". It features a stylus for input, and handwriting recognition. [582.92] [646.53] [698.49] (1989 [310.161])

(month unknown)

• Ashton-Tate releases Framework III. [650.74]

(month unknown)

• Syquest introduces its SyQuest storage cartridge system to the Macintosh market. [612.209]

(month unknown)

• Microsoft's Bill Gates gives a special sneak preview of Microsoft Word 3.0 to several hundred Apple Macintosh computer users, in an auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. [618.5]

(month unknown)

• Caere ships the OmniPage OCR software for the Macintosh. [685.155] [709.41]

(month unknown)

• MIT releases the X v11 windowing system. [707.207]

(month unknown)

• QMS ships the ColorScript Model 30 thermal-wax color printer. Price is US$25,000. [731.85]

(month unknown)

• The CD-ROM format ISO 9660:88 is adopted. [761.231]

1989

January

• Intel introduces the 20-MHz 80386SX microprocessor. Speed is 2.5 MIPS. [62]
• Commodore announces that 1 million Amiga computers have been sold. [412.6]
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh SE/30, with MS-DOS and OS/2 disk compatibility. It uses a 16-MHz 68030 processor, and comes with 4-MB RAM and 1.4 MB SuperDrive floppy drive, for US$4370. Price with an 80 MB hard drive is US$6500. [46] [593.350] [597.95] [750.50]
• Digital Equipment introduces its first RISC-based workstation, the DECstation 3100, using the 16.7-MHz R2000 MIPS Technologies processor. [155] [160]
• Microsoft releases Quick Pascal, designed to compete with Borland International's Turbo Pascal.

February

• Quote from Sun Microsystem's Scott McNealy when asked what he thought of the NeXT Cube: "... it's the wrong operating system, the wrong processor, and the wrong price.". [734.212]
• Compaq Computer decides to stop retailing its computers through Businessland. [734.207]
• Dolch Computer Systems ships their 25-MHz 386 portable system. It features 4MB RAM, 40MB hard drive, 64K cache, 640x400 electroluminescent flat-panel display, 1.2MB 5 1/4-inch drive, SCSI I/O port, for US$9495. [627.30]
• Santa Cruz Operations announces the Open Desktop user interface for 80386-based Unix systems. [309.256]

March

• NeXT announces a deal with Businessland to sell NeXT Cubes to the non-educational market. [734.201]
• The AmiExpo trade show for Amiga computers is held in New York City. [621.5] [638.12]
• At the AmiExpo trade show, Micro Momentum introduces The Journeyman, a portable Amiga computer. [638.12]
• Apple Computer introduces its Macintosh IIcx. It features a 16-MHz 68030 processor, 1 MB RAM, 1.4 MB SuperDrive, and 40 MB hard drive, for US$5370. [46] [75] [310.187] [593.350] [597.95]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 4.0 for the Macintosh. [346.140]
• A judge rules that Microsoft Windows 2.03 is not covered in the Apple Computer / Microsoft 1985 agreement. This allows the issue to proceed to trial, in the suit of Apple Computer against Microsoft filed in March 1988. [309.256]
• Commodore ships the one millionth Amiga computer. [638.6]
• NeXT and Businessland announce that Businessland will sell NeXT computers outside the education market. [734.208]

April

• Apple Computer releases 32-bit QuickDraw for the Macintosh. [582.94] [750.50]
• VCPI becomes an accepted industry standard for 80386-specific software. [511.366]
• The VESA graphics standard emerges, providing a uniform method of accessing SuperVGA chipsets. [18]
• Microsoft ships SQL Server. [346.271]
• Intel announces the 25-MHz 486 microprocessor at Spring Comdex in Chicago, Illinois. It integrates the 386, 387 math coprocessor, and adds an 8KB primary cache. It uses 1.2 million transistors, employing 1-micron technology. Initial price is US$900. Speed is 20 MIPS. [16] [75] [176.75] [177.103] [296] [310.8] [312.8] [540.64] [62] [620.131] (US$950 [477.126] [690.94])
• Intel introduces the 33-MHz version of the 80386DX microprocessor and 80387 math co-processor. This version of the 387 incorporates new technology, making it inherantly faster than previous 387 chips. [312.13] [511.319] [62]
• Motorola announces the 68040 microprocessor. It uses about 1.2 million transistors. [312.8] [423.136]
• Motorola announces the 50-MHz version of the 68030 microprocessor. [312.14]

May

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 5.0 for DOS. [502.49]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel 2.2 for the Macintosh. It can handle spreadsheets up to 8 MB in size. [346.170] [346.271]
• Hewlett-Packard buys workstation maker Apollo Computer for US$476 million. [158]
• Solbourne Computers Incorporated is the first to announce a line of SPARC-based Sun-compatible computers. [171.80]
• Apple Computer announces details of the System 7.0 Macintosh operating system. [310.187] [548.159]

June

• IBM introduces the Office Vision system. It took 4000 man-years of work costing US$1 billion to produce. [346.146] (May [618.288])
• Apple Computer announces AppleTalk Phase 2. [593.B15] [676.158]
• Claris releases AppleWorks 3.0. [218]
• The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) is formed, to develop a memory card standard for personal computers. [20] [766.264]
• Canon agrees to buy 16.67% of NeXT for US$100 million. [734.218]
• Lotus Development releases Lotus 1-2-3 3.0 for MS-DOS, two years after its initial announcement. [346.210] [346.271] [502.49] [511.219]
• Apricot Computers announces the first 486-based PC, in London, England. The VX FT system uses the 25-MHz Intel 80486 chip, IBM's MCA bus, and is priced starting at US$18,000. [310.8] (August [12])

July

• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 2.2 for MS-DOS. [502.49] [511.219]
• AmiEXPO is held in Chicago, Illinois. [448.55]
• AT&T and Intel sign an agreement to produce 386-based PCs. [166.58]

August

• Spectrum Digital Systems releases TrueForm for the Macintosh. [582.202]
• Outbound demonstrates the Wallaby, code-name for a Mac-compatible portable computer. [559.73]

September

• Apple Computer introduces 1.4MB floppy drives for the Macintosh. [582.95]
• Atari introduces the Atari TT, featuring a 16-MHz 68030 processor, 2MB RAM, a 3.5-inch floppy drive, and a built-in genlock device. [440.19]
• Apple Computer and Microsoft announces an alliance to develop a new font standard, TrueType, and page-description language TrueImage. [416.195] [618.226] [680.165] [593.41]
• Apple Computer announces the Macintosh Portable, featuring a 16-MHz Motorola 68000 CMOS processor, 1 MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive, and 1.4 MB SuperDrive, for US$6500. Weight is 17 pounds. [46] [75] [593.350] [597.95] [750.52]
• Apple Computer announces the Macintosh IIci, featuring a 25-MHz 68030 processor, 4 MB RAM, 80 MB hard drive, and 1.4 MB SuperDrive, for about US$8700. [46] [75] [593.350] [597.95]
• IBM releases OS/2 1.2. [135] [346.243]
• Hewlett-Packard ships NewWave for Windows. [477.160]
• Hewlett-Packard announces a US$3990 Unix workstation based on the Motorola 68030. [158]
• NeXT ships the first NeXT Computer systems. [206.289] [222]
• NeXT releases NeXTSTEP v1.0. [206.289] [222]

October

• France's Groupe Bull buys Zenith Data Systems for US$511 million. [523.102]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel for OS/2's Presentation Manager. It is the first major application available for PM. [346.272]
• Cyrix introduces the FasMath 83D87 math coprocessor, pin-compatible with Intel's 387. [511.329] [509.219]
• The AmiExpo trade show for Amiga computers is held in Santa Clara, California. [639.11]
• Compaq Computer introduces its first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE. It weighs under seven pounds. [113] [646.53]
• Byte by Byte releases Sculpt 4-D for the Macintosh, for US$1500. [442.35]
• SPEC releases version 1.0 of its SPEC Benchmark Suite. [156]
• IBM signs a deal with NeXT to license the NeXTSTEP operating system, for US$10 million. [170.65] (1988 [618.310])

November

• Weitek introduces the Weitek 4167 math coprocessor chip as an enhancement to Intel's 486 CPU. [511.319]
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect 5.1 for US$500. [502.49]
• An exhibition of videographics and electronic paintings is held at the Cogburn Gallery on the University of Vermont's Burlington campus. The works were all generated on an Amiga 1000. [448.50]
• At fall Comdex, IBM strongly endorses Windows for low end PCs, and Microsoft publicly endorses OS/2 as the future platform for higher-end PCs. IBM and Microsoft agree to jointly develop a consistent, full-range of systems software. [38] [45] [123] [389.29] [477.160]
• Borland International releases the Quattro Pro 2.0 spreadsheet program. [453.4] [548.339]
• Compaq Computer introduces its first server PC, the Compaq Systempro. This is also the first EISA PC. [113] [704.162]
• Commodore announces the Amiga 2500/30. It is essentially an Amiga 2000 with a 2630 Accelerator Board (25-MHz 68030 and 68882 math coprocessor). [408.12]

December

• Lotus Development ships Lotus Notes. [548.159]
• IBM demonstrates its new line of RISC System/6000 workstations. [14]
• Xerox files a US$150 million lawsuit challenging the validity of Apple Computer's copyrights covering the Lisa and Macintosh computers' graphical user interface. Xerox claims Apple Computer copied the Xerox Star system interface. [46] [75] [594.47] [734.43]
• Microsoft ships Word for Windows 1.0. [477.160]

(month unknown)

• (spring) Harris Semiconductor introduces the a 25-MHz version of the 80286. Price is US$142 each in quantities of 1000. [312.13]

(month unknown)

• The AmiExpo trade show for Amiga computers is held in Chicago, Illinois. [640.6]

(month unknown)

• (mid) Intel unveils the i860 RISC processor. It is the first microrprocessor capable of executing two instructions per clock cycle. [16] [556.24]

(month unknown)

• (late) Intel releases the i960CA, a true superscalar microprocessor, capable of executing two instructions at once. [556.24]

(month unknown)

• (late) Samna introduces Ami Pro for Windows. [620.129]

(month unknown)

• (late) Intel begins production of the 80486 microprocessor. [477.126]

(month unknown)

• (late) Apple Computer begins shipping the Macintosh Portable. [710.138] (spring 1988 [686.50])

(month unknown)

• MSC Technologies changes its name back to Mouse Systems Corporation. [627.204]

(month unknown)

• Hitachi sues Motorola, claiming the 68030 infringes on patents on Hitachi's H-8. [548.368]

(month unknown)

• Quote from a Lotus Development official, while demoing a new DOS version of Lotus 1-2-3: "We don't see Windows as a long-term graphical interface for the masses.". [312.14]

(month unknown)

• Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP DeskJet Plus inkjet printer. Price: US$1000. [309.89]

(month unknown)

• SPARC International is formed. [171.80]

(month unknown)

• Informix releases the WingZ spreadsheet for the Macintosh. [679.30]

(month unknown)

• Creative Labs introduces the Sound Blaster, an 8-bit mono PC sound card. [221]

(month unknown)

• Sun Microsystems announces the 12.5 MIPS 20-MHz SPARCstation 1 for a base price of US$9000. [16] [176.58]

(month unknown)

• Data General unveils its Aviion workstation line, based on the Motorola 88000. [160]

(month unknown)

• Mission Cyrus introduces the Darius ProPortable, the first PS/2-compatible portable microcomputer. [309.57]

(month unknown)

• Atari Computer introduces the Portfolio, a 1-pound DOS-based PC. It uses a 4.92-MHz 80C88 processor, 240x64 resolution screen, and runs on three AA batteries. Price: US$400. [309.57]

(month unknown)

• Zenith Data Systems introduces the Zenith MinisPort, a 6-pound laptop computer. [310.94]

(month unknown)

• MicroPro International changes its name to WordStar International. [346.287]

(month unknown)

• Linus discontinues the WriteTop pen-based microcomputer. [421.130]

(month unknown)

• Hayes Microcomputer Products buys modem competitor Practical Peripherals. [451.A8]

(month unknown)

• Texas Instruments wins official recognition in Japan of its patents on integrated circuits of almost 30 years ago. [606.156]

(month unknown)

• Apple Corps files a lawsuit against Apple Computer, charging Apple Computer with violating its 1991 agreement not to market audio/video products. [597.102]

(month unknown)

• Photonics ships Photolink for the Apple Macintosh. [634.210]

End of 1986-1989 - Steady Progress