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In 20 years, IBMs PC displays its a survivor

1975
Altair 8800 debuts.
Often recognized as the
first personal computer,
its operated by flipping
switches. It sells for
$395, $498 if you dont
want to assemble it
yourself.
1977
Apple releases the
Apple II.
It uses a
TV for
color
monitor and audio
cassettes for data
storage. Cost $1,298.
Commodore releases
the Pet, the first PC
with an integrated
color display, for
$795.
Tandy releases the
$599 TRs-80, which
becomes (unfairly)
nicknamed the trash80
1978
Dan Bricklin and Bob
Frankston write the
first spreadsheet,
VisiCalc.
Hayes introduces the
first commercially
available modem.
Epson debuts the
MX-80 dot-matrix
printer.
1979
Space Invaders and
PacMan launch,
creating a wave of
popularity
computerized video
games.

1980
Apple resists cloning
of its computers and
prohibits mail-order
sales of its products.
1981
IBM
builds
its first
PC,
with
an
Intel
8088 processor and
two optional floppy
drives. It sells for
$2,800-$6,000. IBM
publishes the
technical
specifications,
allowing other
manufacturers to
build compatible
PCs.
The $300
Commodore VIC20,
a color computer
that attaches to a TV,
becomes the first
million-seller in Pc
history.
1982
Time Magazine
names the computer
its Machine of the
Year.
1983
Microsoft announces
its development if
Windows. It debuts
in 1985.
1984
Apple introduces the
Macintosh, the first
affordable Pc with a
graphic look, in an

Orwellian computer
ad during the Super
Bowl. Price:$2,495,
mouse included.
Hewlett-Packard sells
the
first
ink jet
printer
1986
Dell
begins selling PCs,
ultimately
dominating the mailorder market.
1989
The World Wide
Web is born. Time
Berners-Lee
develops software
for text version of
the Web. No one
uses it. A year later,
he develops
HyperText Markup
Language (HTML).
Still used to create
most Web pages
today.
American Online is
founded
1990
Windows 3.0, the
first graphic version
of Windows, is
unveiled
1991
Hewlett-Packard
releases the first
palmtop computer,
the 11-ounce
Hp95LX.
1993
Intel debuts the

Netscape is formed
and supplants NCSA
Mosaic as the way of
choice to browse the
Web.
The White house
goes online.
1995
Microsoft releases
Windows 95 which
goes on to dominate
the worlds desktops.

3 Com releases the

Palm Pilot 5000
handheld computers.
1998
Apple releases the
candy colored iMac
computer.
U.S. Justice
Department files its
antitrust case against
Microsoft. A federal
judge rules against
Microsoft, but the
decision is overturned
in 2001, The case is
still in the courts; the
final outcome will
affect what software
is bundled with nearly
every PC.
1999
Businesses and home
PC users spend billions
upgrading machine to
be Y2K compatible.
2001
The IBM PC turns 20

In 20 years, IBMs PC displays its a survivor