Evolution
Of Computing
The Age of the PC: 1980s
The term PC was popularized by Apple Computer but it was, in fact, IBM that locked the initials PC into stone.
1980
Apple introduces the Apple III for US$3,500, but it is a disaster. Apple clones start to appear in the market. HP releases its first PC, the HP-85.
IBM 5150 PC (photo credit: IBM)
1981
The Osborne 1 "portable computer" starts the mobile computing rage. It weighs in at 24lbs and is the size of a small suitcase! IBM unleashes the IBM 5150 PC using Intel's 4.77MHz 8088 CPU and Microsoft's DOS. This is the first PC based on "off-the-shelf" parts or what is called open architecture. It is the forefather to the "Wintel" PC that we all use today. Sony creates the 3.5-inch diskette. The first portable computer is born, the Osborne. It has a tiny CRT screen, runs on CP/M and is the size of a sewing machine, but it's the first computer that can be lugged around. It has to be plugged into the mains.
1982
The word "cyberspace" is coined by sci-fi author William Gibson in his book Neuromancer.
The Compaq Portable
1983
Compaq unveils its first "IBM-compatible" PC. IBM puts its IBM PC XT into the market. Apple releases the Lisa, the first PC with a graphical user interface, but it is too expensive for the mass market. The first portable computer to run on MS-DOS is launched. The Compaq Portable weighs 12.5 kg and is the first IBM-compatible clone in the world. It has a really tiny screen, smaller than today's standard mobile phones, and is only the size of an A4 page. The Epson HX-20 hits the market as probably the first laptop and PDA in the world and has rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries. Inspired by the HX-20, Kyocera debuts the Kyotronic 85, which is subsequently licensed to other companies like NEC, Olivetti and Tandy. Tandy sells it as the TRS-80 Model 100. The portability of Model 100 makes it attractive to journalists, who can type about 11 pages of text and then transmit it using the built-in modem. It's light at only 1.4 kg and runs on four AA batteries.
1984
Apple smashes into homes with the launch of the first affordable PC with a graphical user interface, the Macintosh. IBM unveils the IBM PC AT together with the launch of the Microsoft DOS 3.0. The Psion 1, seen as the first PDA, is launched as well as the Commodore SX-64, the first color portable computer with a 5-inch color TV built into the case.
1985
Microsoft unveils Excel, ironically for the Apple Macintosh. It also releases Windows 1.0 for DOS-compatible PCs. Aldus launches its desktop publishing software PageMaker for the Macintosh platform which helps drive sales of the platform. Intel announces the 32-bit 80386 processor.
The 1.44MB floppy disk
1987
IBM introduces a new family of PCs called the PS/2 series, which runs on its own OS called OS/2. In the same year, Microsoft launches MS-DOS 3.3. The 1.44MB floppy disk is created.
1988
Steve Jobs' new company NeXT unveils the NeXT computer. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority is established by the US Government. This group will manage the registration of domain names for the next decade. A malicious program called a worm affects some 6,000 computers, making this the first computer virus.
1989
Intel launches its 486 processors. Apple launches its first portable computer, the Macintosh Portable, which weighs over 7kg, and has an active-matrix black-&-white screen, lead-acid battery, travel keyboard and trackball.
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