Last updated: 2002 March 05.

GO TO --->

[1926-1970][1971-1976][1977-1980][1981-1983][1984-1986]

[1987-1990][1991-1993][1994-1996][1997-1999][2000-2001]

[2002-]

1981

January, 1981

• Radio Shack ceases production of the TRS-80 Model I, and recalls units from the US market, due to failure to meet new FCC radio-frequency interference regulations.
• TRS-80 Model 1 (image).
• Osborne Computer Corporation is incorporated.
• Osborne 1 computer (image).
• The International Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Casio demonstrates the FX-9000P, with a 5 inch CRT, keyboard, keypad, removable memory modules, and 256x128 graphics.
• Commodore announces the VIC-20, with full-size 61-key plus four function key keyboard, 5KB RAM expandable to 32KB, 6502A CPU, 22 character by 23 line text display, and color graphics, for US$300. During its life, production peaks at 9,000 units per day.
• Commodore VIC-20 (image)

February, 1981

• Steve Wozniak's private plane crashes, leaving him with a temporary loss of short-term memory, lasting for over a month.
• Intel introduces the iAPX432 at the International Solid State Circuits Conference.
• MS-DOS runs for the first time on IBM's prototype microcomputer.
• Intel begins shipping evaluation sets of the iAPX432 microprocessor. Performance is claimed as 2 MIPS.
• Curt and Kathy Preston open the Byte Shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Mattel test-markets the keyboard component of the Intellivision in Fresno, California.

March, 1981

• Sinclair unveils the ZX81, based on the Z80A microprocessor, for under US$200.
• ZX81 computer (image).
• Mike Markkula takes over as president and chief executive officer at Apple Computer. Steve Jobs remains as chairman of the board.

April, 1981

• Tim Patterson quits Seattle Computer Products, and joins Microsoft.
• The sixth West Coast Computer Faire is held, in San Francisco, California.
• Adam Osborne, of Osborne Computer Corporation, introduces the Osborne 1 Personal Business Computer at the West Coast Computer Faire. It features a Z80A CPU, 5-inch display, 64KB RAM, keyboard, keypad, modem, and two 5.25-inch 100KB disk drives for US$1795. Weight: 24 pounds. It also includes US$1500 worth of software, including CP/M, BASIC, WordStar, and SuperCalc. Osborne anticipated selling 10,000 in total, but sales quickly reached 10,000 in a single month. (nearly US$2000 worth of software)
• Osborne 1 (image)

May, 1981

• The National Computer Conference is held in Chicago, with attendance of 73,000.
• Xerox unveils the Star 8010, at the National Computer Conference. Many features that were developed on the Alto are incorported. At a starting price of US$16-17,000, the computer is not a commercial success.
• Atari announces the 8KB Atari 400 is being discontinued.
• Atari 400 (image).

June, 1981

• Microsoft reorganizes into Microsoft Incorporated, with Bill Gates as President and Chairman, and Paul Allen as Executive Vice President.
• Microsoft persuades IBM to introduce its microcompute with a minimum of 64KB RAM. IBM had planned to only include 16KB.

July, 1981

• Xerox announces the Xerox 820. During its development, it was code-named The Worm. It uses the Z80 CPU, CP/M, and BASIC. The price with a dual disk drive and display is US$3000.
• Microsoft buys all rights to DOS from Seattle Computer Products, and the name MS-DOS is adopted.
• IBM introduces its first desktop computer, the Datamaster. It uses a 16-bit 8086, and is a dedicated data processing machine.
• The first IBM PCs roll off the assembly lines.
• IBM PC (image).
• Mike Scott resigns from Apple Computer.

August, 1981

• IBM announces the IBM 5150 PC Personal Computer, featuring a 4.77-MHz Intel 8088 CPU, 64KB RAM, 40KB ROM, one 5.25-inch floppy drive, and PC-DOS 1.0 (Microsoft's MS-DOS), for US$3000. A fully loaded version with color graphics cost US$6000. The plunge of IBM into the microcomputer market legitimized the industry for the rest of the world. This also established the preeminence of the Intel 8086-family and the Microsoft MS-DOS operating system.
• IBM PC (image).
• IBM announces the CGA graphics card for the PC, giving 640x200 resolution with 16 colors.
• Quote from Tandy president John Roach, regarding IBM's entry into the microcomputer field: "I don't think it's that significant".
• Apple Computer runs a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal with a headline that reads "Welcome IBM. Seriously.".
• Vector Graphic makes its first public stock offering of US$13 million.

September, 1981

• Microsoft begins work on a graphical user interface for MS-DOS, initially called Interface Manager, because it would effectively hide the interface between programs and devices like printers and video cards.
• Osborne Computer Company has its first US$1 million sales month.
• Apple Computer introduces its first hard drive, the 5MB ProFile, for US$3500.
• IBM begins shipping the IBM PC, ahead of schedule, something unheard of in the microcomputer industry.
• IBM PC (image).
• The Fourth Personal Computer World Show is held, in London England.
• Sinclair Research and W H Smith sign an agreement for W H Smith to sell the ZX-81 in its retail stores in England, for a trial 1-year period.
• ZX-81 (image).
• Acorn Computer Ltd. introduces the BBC Microcomputer System. It features a 6502A CPU, up to 48 KB RAM, 73-key keyboard, and 16 color graphics.

October, 1981

• The ZX81 is introduced to the American market, for US$150.
• ZX-81 (image).

November, 1981

• Ashton-Tate ships dBASE II, the early industry-standard database program.
• Microsoft, Incorporated becomes Microsoft Corporation.

December, 1981

• National Semiconductor announces the 32000 chip, the first commercial 32-bit microprocessor. The 32000 family includes CPUs and peripheral chips.

(month unknown), 1981

• (late fall) Apple Computer officially reintroduces the Apple III, with improved software and a hard disk.

(month unknown), 1981

• Bally licenses Commodore to manufacture its arcade games into cartridges for the VIC-20.
• VIC-20 (image).

(month unknown), 1981

• Toshiba demonstrates its T200 and T250 systems.

(month unknown), 1981

• Rockwell International ceases production of bubble-memory products for the microcomputer market.

(month unknown), 1981

• W.H. Sim founds Creative Technology in Singapore.

(month unknown), 1981

• Hayes Microcomputer Products advertises the Smartmodem 300, which becomes the industry standard.

(month unknown), 1981

• Astrovision releases the Bally Computer System.

(month unknown), 1981

• College professor James Clark found Silicon Graphics, Incorporated.

(month unknown), 1981

• Hayes Microcomputers Products' employee, Dale Heatherington, develops the +++ escape sequence for modems.

(month unknown), 1981

• APF introduces the Imagination Machine II at the 1981 Winter Consumer Electronics Show. It features a 6800 CPU, 27KB RAM, two 5.25 inch disk drives, built-in cassette drive, 53-key keyboard, and 32x16 character display caability for US$1600.

(month unknown), 1981

• Vector Graphic Inc. unveils the first personal computer with a built-in hard disk drive, for US$7950.

(month unknown), 1981

• Tandy Corporation sues Personal Microcomputers Inc. for copyright infringement on the design of the TRS-80.

(month unknown), 1981

• At COMDEX, Tecmar introduces 20 add-on peripherals for the IBM PC, the first such third-party developer.

(month unknown), 1981

• Texas Instruments announces that it is getting out of the magnetic bubble memory market.

(month unknown), 1981

• Apple Computer prohibits mail-order sales of Apple computers, claiming there is no provision for customer education or services.

1982

January, 1982

• The US Justice Department throws out the antitrust lawsuit filed against IBM 13 years ago.
• The 1982 Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Commodore introduces the Commodore Ultimax, for US$150.
• Kazuhiko Nishi, Mocrosoft's representative in Japan, shows Bill Gates a drawing of a prototype for a portable computer, using a new liquid crystal display developed by Hitachi. Gates and Nishi begin designing the detais of the computer, which Kyocera Corporation in Japan had agreed to manufactur.
• Commodore announces the Commodore 64 (6510, 64KB RAM, 20KB ROM with Microsoft BASIC, custom sound, color graphics, for US$600) for US$595. During 1983, the price drops to US$200. It becomes the best selling computer of all time, with estimated sales of 17-22 million units. It is the first personal computer with an integrated sound synthesizer chip.
• Commodore 64 (image)
• Commodore introduces the 16K SuperVIC.
• Commodore introduces the VIC Modem, a 300 baud cartridge modem for US$110.
• Texas Instruments introduces a peripheral expansion unit for the TI-99/4, for US$250.
• TI-99/4 (image).
• Astrovision introduces the ZGrass-32 personal computer add-on to the Astro Professional Arcade, for US$600. It uses a Z-80 CPU.
• Toshiba America previews its first personal computer, the Model T-100. It uses a Z-80A, a flat panel LCD display, and supports up to 32KB RAM and 32KB ROM in cartridges.
• In the first 10 months of sale, 250,000 Sinclair ZX81 microcomputers have been delivered.
• Sharp introduces the Sharp PC-1500 Hand Held Personal Computer. It comes with 16KB ROM, and 3.5KB RAM. Price for computer is US$300. Price for tiny color graphics printer that attaches to the side, US$250.
• Atari begins shipping all Atari 800 units with GTIA graphics chips, allowing three more graphics modes than previously.
• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 16. It uses a 16-bit Motorola MC68000.
• Radio Shack introduces the PC-2 Pocket Computer for US$280. It has a 26-character display, with upper and lower case characters. It is expandable to 16KB.
• Davong Systems Incorporated is formed.

February, 1982

• IBM split its Personal Computer development team into three groups: one to work on the PC XT, one to develop the PCjr, and one to start work on the PC AT.
• IBM PCjr (image).
• Compaq Computer Corporation is founded by Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto, all former senior managers of Texas Instruments.
• Compaq portable computer (image).
• Intel introduces the 80286 microprocessor. It uses a 16-bit data bus, 134,000 transistors, and offers protected mode operation. Initial price is US$360. It can access 16 MB of memory.
• Sun Microsystems is founded.

March, 1982

• Microsoft releases FORTRAN for MS-DOS.

April, 1982

• Mitch Kapor founds Lotus Development Corporation.
• Xedex Corp. builds the Baby Blue card (a Z80 coprocessor card) to increase software availability for the IBM PC.
• Microsoft establishes a subsidiary company in England.
• Eight months after the introduction of the IBM PC, 50,000 units have been sold.
• IBM PC (image).
• Kazuhiko Nishi shows a prototype portable computer to Tandy/Radio Shack. Tandy makes a committment to market the computer.
• IBM first offers CP/M-86 for the IBM PC.

May, 1982

• Future Computing Inc. quote: "CP/M 2.2 is extremely important, and the Z80 chip will live forever because of it."
• Vector Graphic hires Frederick Snow as new president and CEO.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 1.1 to IBM, for the IBM PC. It supports 320KB double-sided floppy disk drives. Microsoft also releases MS-DOS 1.25, similar to 1.1 but for IBM-compatible computers.
• Timex Computer Corp. and Sinclair Research Ltd. announce an agreement for Timex to market a 2KB version of the ZX-81 as the Timex/Sinclair 1000.
• ZX-81 (image).

June, 1982

• The National Computer Conference is held in Houston, Texas.
• Epson shows a working prototype computer called the "Rising Star". It is later introduced as the QX-10.
• Coleco announces the ColecoVision video game system.
• Coleco Vision (image)
• Sony Electronics demonstrates its 3.5 inch microfloppy disk system.
• The first IBM PC clone, the MPC, is released by Columbia Data Products.
• Epson America, Inc. announces the HX-20, a notebook-sized computer. It weighs only 3 pounds, and is reported to run on internal batteries for up to 50 hours. It includes 16KB RAM, 32KB ROM, a full-size keyboard, built-in printer, and 20x4 character LCD screen.
• Cromemco Inc. announces the C-10 personal computer. It uses a 4-MHz Z-80A, 64KB RAM, and 80x25 screen, for US$1000.
• Wang Labratories Ltd. introduces the Wang Professional Computer, for US$2700.
• Commodore Business Machines Inc. introduces the Commodore Max Machine. It has 16-color 40x25 screen capability, for US$180.
• Commodore Business Machines Inc. introduces the BX256 16-bit multiprocessor professional microcomputer. It includes 256KB RAM, an Intel 8088 for CP/M-86, 80-column screen, and built-in dual disk drives, for US$3000.
• Commodore Business Machines Inc. introduces the B128 microcomputer. It features 128KB RAM, and a 80-column screen, for US$1700.
• Commodore Business Machines Inc. introduces the P128 microcomputer. It features 128KB RAM, TV connector, 40x25 16-color display, and 320x200 graphics, for US$1000.
• Lobo Drives International introduces the MAX-80 personal computer. It features a 5-MHz Z-80, 64KB RAM, serial/parallel ports, and keyboard, for US$800.
• Altos Computer Systems announces the ACS8600.
• Toshiba America introducess its Toshiba T100 personal computer.
• Digital Equipment announces the dual-processor Rainbow 100. It incorporates both Zilog Z-80 and Intel 8088 microprocessors, allowing it to run CP/M as well as CP/M-86 or MS-DOS.

July, 1982

• Bill Gates hires James Towne, a manager from Tektronix, as first president of Microsoft.
• Boston's Computer Museum, devoted to documenting and displaying the evolution of computer technology, is incorporated.
• Intel announces the 80186 microprocessor.
• Timex Computer Corp. begins selling the Timex Sinclair 1000 through over 1000 Timex retail outlets.
• Timex Sinclair 1000 (Image)
• Apple Computer releases the Apple Dot Matrix Printer, for US$700. It is a modified C.Itoh printer.

August, 1982

• Microsoft releases Multiplan for the Apple II and the Osborne I.
• Hercules announces the Hercules Graphics Card (HGC or HGA), with monochrome graphics at 720x348 resolution.

September, 1982

• On-Line Systems changes its name to Sierra On-Line.

November, 1982

• Lotus Development announces the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program at Comdex in Las Vegas.
• VisiCorp announces the VisiOn graphical user interface at the Fall 1982 Comdex.

October, 1982

• IBM begins marketing Microsoft Multiplan for the IBM PC.

November, 1982

• Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Portable PC: 4.77MHz 8088, 128KB RAM, 9-inch monochrome monitor, one 320KB 5.25-inch disk drive, price US$3000.
• Compaq Portable (image).
• Satellite Software International introduces the WordPerfect word processing program.

December, 1982

• Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 2.0 for DOS, for US$500.
• Apple Computer becomes the first personal computer company to reach US$1 billion in annual sales.

(month unknown), 1982

• (spring) Microsoft releases GW-BASIC, with advanced graphics capabilities.

(month unknown), 1982

• (spring) Microsoft releases Microsoft COBOL for MS-DOS.

(month unknown), 1982

• (spring) IBM releases Digital Research's CP/M-86 for the IBM PC.

(month unknown), 1982

• (spring) Microsoft ships its Multiplan spreadsheet program to IBM for testing and marketing for the IBM PC.

(month unknown), 1982

• (summer) Microsoft receives its first Macintosh prototype from Apple, for use in developing software for the machine.
• Macintosh computer (image).

(month unknown), 1982

• (late) General Consumer Electronics introduces the Vectrex, the first home gaming system with a built-in 9-inch monochrome vector monitor. Price: US$200.
• GCE/Milton-Bradley Vectrex (image)

(month unknown), 1982

• Milton Bradley buys General Consumer Electronics.

(month unknown), 1982

• Mattel introduces the Intellivision II.

(month unknown), 1982

• An insurance company contracts with programmer Wilton Jones to create a PC word processing program that mimicks Wang word processing. That program becomes MultiMate.

(month unknown), 1982

• Astrovision renames the Bally Computer System as the Astrocade.

(month unknown), 1982

• Vector Graphic introduces the Vector 4 system, leaving them with US$3 million in stock of the Vector 3 system.

(month unknown), 1982

• Franklin Computer Corp. unveils the Franklin Ace 1000, the first legal (at the time) Apple II clone. It uses a 1.022 MHz 6502 CPU, and comes with 64KB RAM.
• Franklin Ace 1000 (image)

(month unknown), 1982

• Andrew Fluegelman begins distributing his PC-Talk communications software, the first copyrighted program distributed as shareware.

(month unknown), 1982

• General Videotex Corporation begins the Delphi online service.

(month unknown), 1982

• Robert Lissner begins work on Apple Pie, which would be marketed by Apple Computer as AppleWorks for the Apple II.

(month unknown), 1982

• Businessland opens.

(month unknown), 1982

• Jack Tramiel resigns from Commodore Business Machines, but later takes his position back.

(month unknown), 1982

• At the West Coast Computer Faire, Davong Systems introduces its 5MB Winchester Disk Drive for the IBM PC, for US$2000.

(month unknown), 1982

• John Warnock founds Adove Systems.

(month unknown), 1982

• In the first 8 months since its introduction, 11,000 Osborne 1 computers ship.
• Osborne 1 (image)

(month unknown), 1982

• Personal Software changes its name to VisiCorp.

(month unknown), 1982

• Mouse Systems introduces the first commercial mouse for the IBM PC.
• In 1982, Kaypro jumped on the personal computer bandwagon and rose quickly to become a darling of the industry with sales hitting $120 million. Kaypro was founded in 1952 as Non-Linear Systems, the first manufacturer of digital voltmeters.
• KayPro II (image).

(month unknown), 1982

• Apple Computer announces the Lisa computer.
• Apple Lisa (image)

1983

January, 1983

• The Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Texas Instruments introduces the TI 99/2, using the TI-9995 16-bit microprocessor, 4.2KB RAM, 24KB ROM, 16-color graphics.
• Apple Computer unveils the Lisa computer, with 1MB RAM, 2MB ROM, 5MB hard drive. It is slow, but innovative. Its initial price is US$10,000. The Lisa is based on the Xerox Star System, and cost Apple Computer US$50 million to develop. It is the first personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The software for it cost Apple Computer US$100 million to develop.
• Apple Lisa (image)
• Mattel shows the Intellivision III at the Consumer Electronics Show.
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple IIe for US$1400.
• Apple IIe (image)
• Apple Computer releases the Apple Letter Quality Printer, for US$2200. It is a modified Qume printer.
• VisiCorp (formerly Personal Software) sues Software Arts over rights to VisiCalc.
• Mattel demonstrates the Aquarius computer at the Winter CES. It has 4 KB RAM, and a Z80A microprocessor. It is expected to sell for US$200.
• Timex introduces the Timex 2000, which is their re-packaged Sinclair Spectrum for the North American market. Price is US$149 for a 16KB model.
• Atari introduces the 1200XL home computer, with 64KB RAM, and 256 color capability. Price: US$900.
• A full-page ad by Media Distributing offers a 44MB hard drive for US$4400; 22MB for US$3600; 11MB for US$2700.
• Commodore's sales of VIC-20s reaches 1,000,000.
• Commodore VIC-20 (image)
• Time magazine selects the microcomputer as its "Man" of the Year.
• Time magazine (image)
• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 1.0 for MS-DOS.
• Ziff-Davis begins publishing A+ magazine for Apple Computer products.

February, 1983

• Microsoft establishes a sibsidiary company in West Germany.

March, 1983

• Radio Shack announces its TRS-80 Model 100 laptop computer. Its light weight and built-in software and modem make it popular with journalists and businessmen.
• Tandy/Radio Shack Model 100 (image)
• IBM announces the IBM PC XT. It adds a 10 MB hard drive, three more expansion slots, and a serial interface. With 128KB RAM and a 360KB floppy drive, it costs US$5000.
• IBM Personal Computer XT
• MS-DOS 2.0 for PCs is announced. It was written from scratch, supporting 10 MB hard drives, a tree-structured file system, and 360 KB floppy disks.
• Microsoft creates a publishing division, Microsoft Press.
• The Eagle 1600, the first 8086-based PC, ships.

April, 1983

• Microsoft introduces XENIX 3.0.
• Vector Graphic fires Frederick Snow, with Lore Harp taking over again.
• Microsoft introduces Multi-Tool Word for DOS (later renamed Microsoft Word) word processing program at Spring Comdex in Atlanta, Georgia.
• John Sculley is hired at Apple Computer as Chief Operating Officer.
• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 1.A.

May, 1983

• Microsoft France opens its first office, in Paris, France.
• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 4, with 4-MHz Zilog Z80A microprocessor, 64KB RAM, two 5.25-inch floppy drives, keyboard, and 12-inch B/W monitor, for US$2000.
• Microsoft introduces its first mouse, "The Microsoft Mouse", including card and software, for US$200.
• Gavalin introduces a full-function portable computer.

June, 1983

• Microsoft quote: "We have a long-term relationship with IBM and have solid plans involving PC-DOS."
• The 1,000,000th Apple II is made.
• Apple IIe (image)
• Intel quote: "Accessing memory using a segmented architecture holds many advantages over the earlier linear-addressing method."
• Mattel announces the scrapping of plans for the Intellivision III.
• Mattel announces the Entertainment Computer System.
• Coleco announces the Adam, a Z80-based computer with SmartWriter daisy wheel printer, 80KB RAM (64KB user RAM, 16KB video RAM), 3 sound channels, 16 color graphics, 4 MC6801 microprocessors controlling operation of peripherals, and 512KB tape-cartridge device, for US$600.
• Adam computer (image).
• Shipments of Apple computers reach 1,000,000.

July, 1983

• Apple officially begins marketing the Lisa computer.
• Lisa computer (image).
• AT&T Bell Labs designs C++.
• Steve Wozniak returns to Apple Computer.

August, 1983

• Jon Shirley replaces James Towne as president of Microsoft.
• A US federal appeals court judge rules that Franklin Computers did violate Apple Computer copyrights on computer programs and the Apple Computer operating system in ROM.

September, 1983

• Osborne Computer Corp. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
• Osborne 1 (image).
• Microsoft France releases Multiplan for the Apple II.

October, 1983

• Atari begins shipping its XL computers.
• Atari 800XL (image).
• Visi Corp releases VisiOn, an integrated software environment for PCs, for US$1765.
• Coleco begins shipping the Adam.
• Adam computer (image).
• National Semiconductor ships samples of its 6-MHz 32-bit NS32032 microprocessor.
• IBM introduces PC-DOS 2.1 with the IBM PCjr.
• IBM announces the IBM 3270 PC, an 8088-based system, for US$4290.
• IBM announces the IBM PC-XT Model 370, with 8088 CPU, 768K RAM, 360K drive, and 10 MB hard drive for US$9000.
• Quote from Spinnaker Software chairman William Bowman: "We're just sitting here trying to put our PCjrs in a pile and burn them. And the damn things won't burn. That's the only thing IBM did right with it - they made it flameproof.".
• IBM PCjr (image).
• Tandy/Radio Shack announces the "transportable" TRS-80 Model 4P, for US$1800. It features a 4-MHz Zilog Z80A CPU, 64KB RAM, two 5.25-inch floppy drives, and 9-inch B/W screen.
• TRS-80 Model 4P (image).
• Compaq Computer introduces the Portable Plus.
• Compaq portable (image).
• Texas Instruments withdraws from the personal computer market.

November, 1983

• Microsoft formally announces Microsoft Windows.
• Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 3.0 for US$500.
• Satellite Software International ships Personal WordPerfect for US$200.
• Borland International releases Turbo Pascal for CP/M and 8086-based computers.
• IBM announces the IBM PCjr, using Intel's 8088, for US$700 for the bare configuration.
• IBM PCjr (image)
• Quote from Sierra On-Line founder and president, Ken Williams: "the PCjr is bound to be around for a while".
• Microsoft again shows Windows to IBM, and again IBM is not interested.
• Microsoft officially releases Microsoft Word, for US$375, or US$475 with the Microsoft Mouse.

December, 1983

• Apple Computer introduces the redesigned Apple III as the Apple III+, for US$3000.
• Apple III (image).
• Apple Computer releases the Apple ImageWriter for US$695. It is a modified C.Itoh printer.
• Apple unveils the new Macintosh to the press.
• 20th Century Fox Videogames abandons the videogame business.
• Compaq Computer makes its first public stock offering, raising US$67 million.
• Compaq portable (image).
• In an obscure television market somewhere on the Great Plains, Apple Computer runs its "1984" Macintosh ad, solely to make the ad eligible for awards during 1984.

(month unknown), 1983

• (early) Nelma Data Corporation introduces the Persona microcomputer. It features a 4-MHz Z80A, CP/M 2.3, 64KB RAM, dual single-sided 5.25-inch floppy drives, for $3000.

(month unknown), 1983

• (summer) Starcom releases Dragon's Lair to arcade centers. It is the first laser-disc based arcade game.

(month unknown), 1983

• (end) Atari ceases production of the Atari 5200.

(month unknown), 1983

• Hewlett-Packard begins design work on Precision Architecture.

(month unknown), 1983

• Commodore introduces the SX-64, the first color portable. Weight is 10.5 kg. It incorporates a 5 inch color monitor and one 5.25 inch floppy drive.

(month unknown), 1983

• IBM and Microsoft begin co-developing OS/2.

(month unknown), 1983

• Borland International is founded by Philippe Kahn.

(month unknown), 1983

• Microsoft shows IBM a raw version of Windows. IBM is not interested as they are already developing what would be called TopView.

(month unknown), 1983

• Bjarn Stroustrup creates the C++ extension to the C programming language.

[1926-1970][1971-1976][1977-1980][1981-1983][1984-1986]

[1987-1990][1991-1993][1994-1996][1997-1999][2000-2001]

[2002-]

pcbiography.net