History of Pc

1947

Scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories invent the transistor. Miniaturization of electronic circuits via the transistor is a key development making personal desktop computers small, reliable, and affordable.

1958

At Texas Instruments, Jack Kilby completes building the first integrated circuit.

1960

Digital Equipment introduces the first minicomputer, the PDP-1. It is the first commercial computer equipped with a keyboard and monitor. The minicomputer represents an important size and power step from mainframe toward personal computers.

1964

John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz develop the BASIC programming language at Dartmouth College. BASIC becomes the most popular introductory programming language for microcomputers.

1968

Douglas C. Engelbart, of the Stanford Research Institute, demonstrates his system of keyboard, keypad, mouse, and windows at the Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco's Civic Center. He demonstrates use of a word processor, a hypertext system, and remote collaborative work with colleagues.

1970

Engineers at Intel turn a calculator chip-set design into the first commercial 4-bit CPU architecture, the 4004 microprocessor.

1973

Engineers at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) create the Alto workstation, with a bit-mapped video screen.

In France, the Micral microcomputer is introduced, based on the Intel 8008 processor.

The Scelbi Computer Consulting Company introduces the Scelbi-8H microcomputer kit, using an Intel 8008 microprocessor, for US$565, with 1 kB programmable memory.

Gary Kildall writes the CP/M operating system.

1974

Intel releases the 2 MHz 8080 processor, capable of directly addressing 64 kB of memory.

MITS creates the Altair microcomputer, based on the Intel 8080 processor. Kits are sold for about US$400.

1975

Bill Gates and Paul Allen implement BASIC for the Altair, and found Microsoft.

1976

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak found Apple Computer, and begin selling Apple I computer boards.

1977

Commodore introduces the PET 2001 computer, featuring a 6502 processor, 4 kB RAM, keyboard, display, and tape drive, for US$600.

Apple Computer introduces the Apple II computer, featuring a 6502 processor, 4 kB RAM, keyboard, game paddles, color graphics/text interface, for US$1300.

Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 computer, featuring Z80 processor, 4 kB RAM, keyboard, black-and-white video display, and tape drive, for US$600.

1978

Intel releases the 4.77 MHz 8086 processor, with 16-bit data bus, and direct addressing of 1 MB of RAM.

Atari introduces the Atari 400 and 800 computers, based on the 6502 processor.

1979

Texas Instruments introduces the TI-99/4 personal computer.

MicroPro International releases the WordStar word processor.

Software Arts ships the VisiCalc spreadsheet software for the Apple II.

1980

Sinclair Research introduces the ZX-80 microcomputer, with 3.25 MHz processor and 1 kB RAM.

Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Color Computer, for US$400.

1981

Commodore introduces the VIC-20 computer with 5 kB RAM, for US$300.

Osborne Computer introduces the Osborne 1 portable computer, with built-in 5-inch monitor, 64 kB RAM, two 5.25-inch disk drives, and US$1500 worth of software, for US$1800.

IBM introduces the IBM 5150 Personal Computer, with 4.77 MHz 8088 processor, 16 kB RAM, 5.25-inch floppy drive, for US$1500. Microsoft DOS is available as an option.

1982

Commodore introduces the Commodore 64, with 64 kB RAM, 16-color graphics, sound synthesizer, for US$600.

Intel ships the 6 MHz 80286 processor.

Epson introduces the first notebook computer, the HX-20, with 20x4 character LCD screen, 16 kB RAM, and weighing 3 pounds.

Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Portable PC, with integrated 9-inch monitor and full IBM PC compatibility.

Lotus Development announces the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software.

Satellite Software International introduces the WordPerfect word processing program for the IBM PC.

1983

IBM introduces the IBM PC/XT, with 10 MB hard drive and 128 kB RAM, for US$5000.

Coleco Industries introduces the Coleco Adam computer, with Z80 processor, 80 kB RAM, sound, graphics, cartridge slots, tape cartridge storage, daisy-wheel printer, for US$600.

IBM ships the IBM PCjr, with 64 kB RAM, detached keyboard, cartridge slots, for US$700.

Microsoft announces the Windows graphical user interface for DOS.

1984

Apple Computer introduces the Apple Macintosh, with 512x342 monochrome graphics, 9-inch monitor, mouse, 7.8 MHz Motorola 68000 processor, 128 kB RAM, for US$2000.

IBM releases the IBM PC/AT, with 6 MHz 80286 processor, MS-DOS 3.0, 256 kB RAM, and 1.2 MB floppy drive, for prices starting at US$4000.

1985

Atari introduces the Atari 130ST and 520ST computers.

Commodore introduces the Amiga 1000 computer.

Microsoft ships Windows 1.0.

1986

Intel ships the 16 MHz 80386 processor.

Compaq Computer introduces the first 80386-based computer.

1987

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