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[1926-1970][1971-1976][1977-1980][1981-1983][1984-1986][1987-1990][1991-1993][1994-1996][1997-1998]

1987

January

• Microsoft France releases a French version of Multiplan 3.0 for the IBM PC.
• 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.
• Microsoft begins shipping Microsoft Word v3.0 for the Macintosh.
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple Platinum IIe.
• Apple IIe (image).

February

• Commodore announces the Amiga 500 and 2000.
• Amiga 500 (image).
• Amiga 2000 (image).

March

• Apple Computer introduces the open architecture Macintosh II. 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.
• Macintosh (image).
• Apple Computer introduces the expandable Macintosh SE for US$2900 for a dual floppy system.
• Macintosh SE (image).
• Apple Computer introduces NuBus as the Mac's standard bus.
• U.S. Robotics unveils its 9600 bps Courier HST modem, for US$995. BBS sysops can purchase the modem for US$495.
• Kaypro lost  $19.4 million on sales of $21.8 million drove the company into Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in March 1990.
• KayPro 10 computer (image).

April

• 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.
• IBM PS/2 (image).
• 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.
• 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.
• IBM introduces its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) on its Model 50 and higher of the PS/2 line.
• IBM and Microsoft announce Operating System/2 (OS/2).
• 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.
• IBM announces the 8514 16-inch monitor, for US$1550.
• 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.
• Microsoft announces Microsoft Windows 2.0.
• IBM ships TopView 1.12.

May

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

June

• IBM withdraws TopView from the market.
• Atari introduces the Atari XE Game System, with 64KB RAM, supporting 256KB game cartridges.
• Microsoft sells its 500,000th mouse.

July

• WordPerfect creates an Amiga/Atari division within the company.
• IBM ships the first 8514/A adapters, PS/2 systems, and VGA cards.
• Microsoft acquires Forethought, maker of the PowerPoint presentation graphics program for the Macintosh.
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect for the Amiga for US$400.
• Zilog introduces its Z-280 16-bit version of the Z-80 CPU.
• Sun Microsystems introduces its first SPARC-based system, the Sun-4/260, with 10 MIPS performance.
• Sun Microsystems offers licenses for its SPARC microprocessor architecture.
• Apple Computer creates the company Claris, to handle some of Apple Computer's software for the Apple II and Macintosh.
• IBM ships the first PS/2 Model 80 systems.

August

• 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.
• Microsoft ships MS-DOS 3.3.
• Apple Computer introduces HyperCard, MultiFinder 5.0, and AppleFax Modem for the Macintosh, at the Macworld Expo.
• Tandy introduces the Tandy 1000 TX, 1000 HX, 1400 LT, and 4000.
• Tandy 1000 (image).
• The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) is formed.

September

• Microsoft ships Microsoft Bookshelf, its first CD-ROM application.
• Lotus Development announces Lotus 1-2-3 for the Macintosh.

October

• Microsoft unveils the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for Windows.
• Microsoft ships Microsoft Works for DOS.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows/386, priced at US$195.
• Microsoft ships Windows 2.0.
• Compaq Computer introduces the 20-MHz Compaq Deskpro 386/20.
• Compaq Computer introduces the 20-MHz Compaq Portable 386.
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect for the Atari ST for US$400.
• 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.
• Ad Lib Incorporated unveils its Ad Lib Personal Computer Music System for US$245. The card provides FM synthesis with 11 simultaneous voices.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 4.0 for the PC.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 3.0 for the Macintosh.

November

• Compaq Computer makes its 1 millionth personal computer.
• IBM reports that it has shipped 1 million PS/2 systems.
• IBM PS/2 (image).

December

• Microsoft ships the one millionth copy of Windows.
• Microsoft releases OS/2 1.0.
• IBM ships first copies of OS/2 Standard Edition 1.0.

(month unknown)

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

(month unknown)

• Motorola unveils the 68030 microprocessor.

(month unknown)

• U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier HST 9600 modem.

(month unknown)

• IBM discontinues the IBM PC line.
• IBM PC (image).

1988

January

• Spectrum Holobyte introduces Tetris, the first entertainment software imported from the Soviet Union.

February

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

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.
• The Open Software Foundation is founded.

April

• Motorola unveils the 88000 processor.

May

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel 1.5 for the Macintosh.
• Lotus Development ships the four millionth copy of Lotus 1-2-3.
• Apple Computer contracts with Quantum Computer Services to create the AppleLink - Personal Edition (later renamed America Online).

June

• IBM announces the PS/2 Model 70, as 16-, 20-, and 25-MHz 80386 systems.
• Microsoft ships Windows 2.1 as Windows/286 and Windows/386.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.0, including a graphical/mouse interface.
• Intel introduces the 80386SX, like the 80386 but with a 16-bit data bus.

July

• Lotus Development ships Agenda.
• IBM ships OS/2 Extended Edition 1.0.
• IBM ships DOS 4.0. It adds a shell menu interface and support for hard disk partitions over 32 MB.

September

• Apple Computer introduces the Apple IIc Plus for US$1100.
• 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.
• Claris releases AppleWorks 2.1.
• 61 companies support the formation of the Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA). Companies included Compaq Computer, AST, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, NEC Technologies, Olivetti, Tandy, Wyse, Zenith, Microsoft.
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh IIx computer, using Motorola's 68030 and 68882 processors. It is priced at US$7770.
• Apple Computer releases GS/OS, a 16-bit operating system for the Apple IIGS.
• SPEC is formed, with the aim of producing a benchmark based on a standard set of real-life applications programs.
• Tandy ships the first MCA-bus-based clone PC, the Tandy 5000 MC.
• 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.

October

• Apple Computer and Quantum Computer Services launch the AppleLink Personal Edition computer network.
• Microsoft and IBM ship OS/2 1.1 Standard Edition with Presentation Manager.
• Microsoft releases OS/2 LAN Manager for networked PCs.
• Steve Jobs of NeXT Inc. unveils the first NeXT computer, at the Davis 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 true object-oriented NextStep operating system.

November

• Ashton-Tate sues Fox Software and Santa Cruz Operations for infringing copyrights on the Dbase language.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 4.01.

(month unknown)

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

(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.

(month unknown)

• Toshiba introduces the T1600 16-MHz 286 portable.

(month unknown)

• Digital Equipment begins development of a 64-bit microprocessor. The chip will debut as the 150-MHz Alpha 21064 in 1992.

(month unknown)

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

(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.

(month unknown)

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

(month unknown)

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

1989

January

• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh SE/30, with MS-DOS and OS/2 disk compatibility, for US$4370.
• Macintosh SE (image).
• Digital Equipment introduces its first RISC-based workstation, the DECstation 3100, using the 16.7-MHz R2000 MIPS Technologies processor.
• Microsoft releases Quick Pascal, designed to compete with Borland International's Turbo Pascal.

February

• Santa Cruz Operations announces the Open Desktop user interface for 80386-based UNIX systems.

March

• Apple Computer introduces its Macintosh IIcx for US$5370.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word v4.0 for the Macintosh.
• 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.

April

• The VESA standard emerges, providing a uniform method of accessing SuperVGA chipsets.
• Microsoft ships SQL Server.
• Intel introduces the 80486 microprocessor at Spring Comdex in Chicago, Illinois. It integrates the 80386, 80387 math coprocessor, and adds a primary cache. It uses 1.2 million transistors. Initial price is US$900.
• Intel introduces the 33-MHz version of the 80386 microprocessor and 80387 numeric co-processor.
• Motorola announces the 68040 microprocessor.
• Motorola announces the 50-MHz version of the 68030 microprocessor.

May

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

June

• IBM introduces the Office Vision system.
• Claris releases AppleWorks 3.0.
• Lotus Development releases Lotus 1-2-3/3 for the PC, two years after its initial announcement.
• 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.

July

• AT&T and Intel sign an agreement to produce 386-based PCs.

August

• Britain's Apricot Computers produces the first PC based on the 25-MHz Intel 80486 chip.

September

• Apple Computer announces the Macintosh Portable.
• Apple Computer announces the 25-MHz Macintosh IIci.
• IBM releases OS/2 1.2.
• Hewlett-Packard announces a US$3990 UNIX workstation based on the Motorola 68030.
• NeXT ships the first NeXT Computer systems.
• NeXT releases NextStep v1.0.

October

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel for OS/2's Presentation Manager. It is the first major application available for PM.
• Compaq Computer introduces its first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE.
• SPEC releases version 1.0 of its SPEC Benchmark Suite.
• IBM signs a deal with NeXT to license the NextStep operating system.

November

• 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.
• Compaq Computer introduces its first server PC, the Compaq Systempro. This is also the first EISA PC.

December

• IBM demonstrates its new line of RISC System/6000 workstations.
• Xerox files a lawsuit challenging the validity of Apple Computer's copyrights covering the Lisa and Macintosh computers' graphical user interface.
• Xerox Alto system (image).
• Lisa (image).
• Macintosh (image).

(month unknown)

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

(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.".

(month unknown)

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

(month unknown)

• SPARC International is formed.

(month unknown)

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

(month unknown)

• NEC Technologies introduces the 4.2-pound NEC UltraLite laptop PC.

(month unknown)

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

(month unknown)

• Intel unveils the i860 chip.

(month unknown)

• The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) is formed, to develop a memory card standard for PCs.

(month unknown)

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

(month unknown)

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

(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.

(month unknown)

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

(month unknown)

• MicroPro International changes its name to WordStar International.

1990

January

• Motorola announces the availability of its 32-bit 25-MHz microprocessor, the 68040. The 68040 incorporates 1.2 million transistors, integrates the FPU, and includes instruction and data caches.
• Apple Computer discontinues the Macintosh II.
• Sun Microsystems signs an agreement to transfer the SPARC trademark to SPARC International.
• Hayes Microcomputer Products wins a US$1.4 million lawsuit against Everex, Ven-Tel, and Omnitel, regarding the validity of Hayes' patent on the +++ escape sequence.

March

• Apple Computer introduces the 40-MHz Apple Macintosh IIfx.

April

• Microsoft introduces Russian MS-DOS 4.01 for the Soviet market.

May

• The lawsuit of Xerox against Apple Computer regarding use of Xerox's graphical user interface is thrown out of court.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows 3.0. Microsoft spends US$3 million for opening-day marketing, as part of a US$10 million promotional campaign.
• Toshiba unveils the first SPARC laptop, the SPARC LT.
• Digital Research released DR DOS 5.0.
• The PCMCIA card specification v1.0 is released.

June

• A US District Court judge rules that Paperback Software's duplicating the menu interface of Lotus 1-2-3 was a violation of copyright (the "look and feel" lawsuit was filed in 1987).
• Jon Shirley resigns as President of Microsoft. He is replaced by former Boeing executive Michael Hallman.

July

• Microsoft's sales revenues hit US$1 billion for the past year, the first personal computer software company to do so.
• Lotus Development files lawsuits against Borland International (maker of Quattro) and Santa Cruz Operations (maker of SCO Professional) claiming copyright infringement of the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software.
• Acer Incorporated buys Altos Computer Systems for US$94 million.

August

• Gilbert Hyatt is granted a basic patent on the microprocessor, 20 years after his first application for the patent.

September

• IBM and Microsoft end cooperative work on operating systems, dividing up work-to-date between them.
• NeXT announces the Nextstation.
• Apple Computer discontinues the Apple IIc Plus.
• Apple IIc (image).

October

• Apple Computer discontinues the Mac Plus, Mac SE, Mac SE/30 and Mac IIx.
• Macintosh SE (image).
• Apple Computer unveils the Macintosh Classic for US$1000, the Macintosh LC, and the Macintosh IIsi.
• IBM introduces the XGA MCA graphics card, as a replacement for VGA. Resolutions of 640x480 and 1024x768 are supported, with up to 65,536 colors in the 640x480 mode. At the same time, IBM joined the VESA group, making the XGA specification publicly available.
• Advanced Micro Devices officially acknowledges that it is working on cloning Intel's 386 CPUs.

November

• Michael Spindler becomes president of Apple Computer.
• AT&T makes a US$6 billion hostile takeover bid for NCR.
• LSI Logic announces the availability of SparcKIT, a SPARC chipset at speeds of 20-MHz and 25-MHz.
• Sun Microsystems unveils its SPARCstation 2 series, starting at roughly US$20,000.

December

• Ashton-Tate's lawsuit regarding the copyright on the Dbase language is dismissed in court.
• Advanced Micro Designs produces its first clone chips of Intel's 386, at speeds of 20, 25, and 33-MHz.

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer's AppleLink - Personal Edition is expanded and renamed America Online.

(month unknown)

• IBM unveils its new RISC-based workstation line, the RS/6000. Development work had been done under code name "America" for the RISC chip research, and "RIOS" for systems using the America technology. The architecture of the systems is given the name POWER, standing for Performance Optimization With Enhanced RISC.

(month unknown)

• U.S. Robotics introduces the Courier v.32bis modem.

(month unknown)

• Motorola announces a new line of single-chip RISC processors, the first of which is be the 88110.

(month unknown)

• NewTek's hardware/software package, the Video Toaster, turns the Amiga into a sophisticated, broadcast-quality video- editing system, for US$1600.

(month unknown)

• Hewlett-Packard's introduction of the LaserJet IIP breaks the US$1000 street price barrier.

(month unknown)

• The INMOS T-9000 processor, designed for parallel computing in the Transputer architecture, appears.

(month unknown)

• IBM introduces the 10-MHz 80286-based IBM PS/1 systems, with built-in VGA and monitor. Prices range from US$1000 to US$2000.

(month unknown)

• INTV Corp. discontinues production of the Intellivision.

End of 1987-1990

[1926-1970][1971-1976][1977-1980][1981-1983][1984-1986][1987-1990][1991-1993][1994-1996][1997-1998]