Chronology of Events
in the
History of Microcomputers

1994

January

• Apple Computer shows its first PowerPC product, an upgrade board with a 66-MHz PowerPC 601 microprocessor, for many of Apple's Centris and Quadra Macintosh computers.
• AST Research sues Texas Instruments for patent infringement. Texas Instruments countersues. [548.369]
• Shipments of Apple Computer Macintosh computers hits 1 million for the previous four month period, for the first time.
• Newer Technology introduces the Quadra Overdrive at Macworld Expo. The clock-doubled accelerator boards fit in the 68040 socket of the Macintosh Quadra or Centris. Processor speeds of 40-MHz and 50-MHz are available, for US$1700. [425.38]
• Apple Computer announces eWorld, an online service for Apple tech support and a virtual shopping mall.
• NEC Technologies ships its quad-speed CD-ROM, priced at US$1000.
• Apple Computer announces that it will license its System 7.x operating system to other hardware companies.

February

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows 3.11.
• Silicon Graphics founder and chairman James Clark resigns.
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh LC 575 and LC 550.
• Apple Computer introduces QuickTime 2.0, with interactive television, music and full-screen video support.
• IBM announces the shutdown its Ambra Europe company by the end of the quarter.
• A US District Court rules that Microsoft violated patents held by Stac Electronics, in data compression used in Microsoft's DoubleSpace in DOS 6. Microsoft is ordered to remove or replace the technology.
• Electronic Arts and Broderbund Software announce a proposed merger, in a stock swap valued at about US$408 million. [468.10]
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 6.21, removing DoubleSpace disk compression.

March

• Digital Equipment ships the 66-MHz Alpha 21068 processor.
• Digital Equipment ships the 166-MHz Alpha 21066 processor.
• Apple Computer unveils and ships its first computers based on the PowerPC 601 processor, the Power Macintosh 6100/60, 7100/66, and 8100/80. Prices range from US$2000-4000 for complete systems. 145,000 systems ship in the first two weeks.
• Apple Computer releases System 7.1, the OS for the Mac.
• Cyrix begins new shipments of the Cx486DX microprocessor, after fixing a flaw in the 32-bit floating-point code.
• Apple Computer introduces QuickTake 100, the first 24-bit color digital camera for under US$1000.
• Apple Computer announces the Newton MessagePad 110 and 100. The 110 comes with 1MB RAM, transfers data remotely at 38.5Kbps, and runs on four AA batteries.
• Apple Computer ships the Macintosh Quadra 610 DOS Compatible. It features a 40-MHz Motorola 68LC040 chip and a 25-MHz Intel 486SX chips, for US$1580.
• Hewlett-Packard ships the HP DeskWriter 560C color inkjet printer. It features 600x300dpi, at a list price of US$720.
• Hewlett-Packard ships the HP DeskWriter 520 inkjet printer. List price is US$365.
• Intel ships its 25/75-MHz IntelDX4 319 processor. Speed is 53 MIPS. It uses 1.6 million transistors, employing 0.6-micron technology. The chip has 16KB onboard caches, and operates on 3.3 volts. Price is US$475.
• Intel ships its 33/100-MHz IntelDX4 435 processor. Speed is 70.7 MIPS. It uses 1.6 million transistors, employing 0.6-micron technology. The chip has 16KB onboard caches, and operates on 3.3 volts. Price is US$580.
• Intel ships its 25/50-MHz IntelSX2 486 processor.
• Novell ships Novell DOS 7.0.
• Intel ships the 60/90-MHz Pentium 735 processor. Speed is 149.8 MIPS. The chip uses Intel's new 0.6 micron BiCMOS technology. Pricing is US$849 each in quantities of 1000. Code name during development was P54C.
• Intel ships the 66/100-MHz Pentium 815 processor. Speed is 166.3 MIPS. The chip uses Intel's new 0.6 micron BiCMOS technology. Pricing is US$995 each in quantities of 1000.
• Novell buys WordPerfect Corporation for US$850 million.
• MIPS Technologies ships the 100-MHz R4600 RISC microprocessor.
• Aldus and Adobe Systems announce plans to merge the two companies.
• IBM and Motorola announce the 100-MHz PowerPC 601 processor.
• NexGen announces the Nx586 microprocessor, at speeds of 60- and 66-MHz.

April

• Symantec and Central Point Software Incorporated agree to merge companies in a stock swap valued at about US$60 million.
• Broderbund Software calls off the proposed merger with Electronic Arts, due to a significant drop in the stock value of Electronic Arts. [468.10]
• Motorola releases small quantities of its 68060 microprocessor, operating at 50- and 66-MHz.
• IBM and Motorola announce the 100-MHz PowerPC 604 processor. The 604 has one floating-point unit, and three integer units. Two of the integer units perform single clock cycle instruction, while the other is used for integer multiplication and division. The processor uses 3.6 million transistors.
• IBM releases PC-DOS 6.3.
• Commodore International and Commodore Electronics (two of the many international components of Commodore Business Machines) file for voluntary liquidation. [476.6] [491.52] [600.19]
• Mosaic Communications releases Netscape Navigator 1.0, a world-wide web browser. [236.34]
• The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, after re-examining the patent application it granted to Compton's New Media in August 1993, decides to reject all 41 of the application's claims. [99] [468.8]

May

• Apple Computer introduces the 500 series of PowerBook computers (520, 520c, 540, 540c). All use clock-doubled Motorola 68LC040 microprocessors, at speeds of 50/25-MHz or 66/33-MHz. Prices range from US$2270 to US$3760.
• Apple Computer introduces the PowerBook Duo 280 and 280c. The 280c features a 33-MHz 68LC040, and 8.4-inch LCD display.
• Motorola ships sample copies of the PowerPC 603 processor.
• Microsoft sends out the first official beta test version of what will be Windows 95.
• MIPS Technologies announces availability of samples of the 200-MHz 64-bit R4400 RISC microprocessor.

June

• Apple Computer discontinues the DOS Compatible Card after only 2.5 months of offering it.
• IBM files a motion in court to have the provisions of the 1956 consent decree terminated.
• Apple Computer launches eWorld, its new online community, in the US.
• Apple Computer unveils System 7.5 operating system.
• Apple Computer introduces new Macintosh 630 computers, and the PowerBook 150.
• Rock group Jefferson Airplane sues Berkeley Systems for copyright infringement of the flying toasters image in the After Dark screen saver program. [548.378]
• MIPS Technologies ships the 75-MHz R8000 RISC microprocessor.
• MIPS Technologies ships the 133-MHz R4600 RISC microprocessor.
• MIPS Technologies ships the 200-MHz 64-bit R4400 RISC microprocessor.
• Microsoft and Stac Electronics settle their legal differences over data compression patents. Microsoft agrees to buy US$40 million of Stac stock, and to pay Stac a further US$43 million in royalties.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 6.22, bringing back disk compression under the name DriveSpace.
• Microsoft is granted a trademark to the name "Windows" for software products.
• Borland International sells its Quattro Pro spreadsheet to Novell for about US$140 million.
• Dr. Thomas R. Nicely of Lynchburg College notes that the Pentium processor sometimes produces flawed floating-point results, yielding only 4-8 decimals of precision. [265]

July

• IBM makes available sample quantities of the PowerPC 603 processor. High quantity pricing is US$165 for the 66-MHz chip, and US$195 for the 80-MHz version.
• IBM ships AIX 4.1 for the RS/6000, and AIX for the Power Macintosh.
• IBM reports that it has shipped 1 million PowerPC 601 processors in the first 10 months of production.
• Digital Equipment ships its AXP 21064A 64-bit 275-MHz Alpha RISC processor in volume quantities, at US$1083 per chip pricing. The processor features dual 16KB internal caches.
• Digital Equipment ships the 225-MHz Alpha 21064A processor.
• IBM announces that it will shut down the US operations of its Ambra subsidiary in October.
• Microsoft reaches a settlement with the US Department of Justice regarding alleged monopolistic licensing practices. Microsoft agrees to change some of its practices of how it sells its operating systems to vendors.
• U.S. Robotics ships the Courier v.34 28.8Kbps modems. List price: US$329 internal, US$349 external.

August

• Symantec releases Norton Utilities 3.0 for Macintosh.
• Quark ships QuarkXPress 3.3 for Power Macintosh, for US$995, or an upgrade for US$195. [589.33]
• Borland International ships dBase for Windows.
• IBM shuts down its Ambra PC division.

September

• Microsoft ships Microsoft Excel for Power Macintosh.
• Microsoft ships Microsoft FoxPro for Power Macintosh.
• Microsoft ships Microsoft Word for Power Macintosh.
• Microsoft ships Microsoft PowerPoint for Power Macintosh.
• The International Telecommunications Union ratifies the 28.8Kbps V.34 modem standard. [426.90]
• Advanced Micro Devices ships its Am486DX2-80 40/80-MHz processor.
• Microsoft ships its first keyboard, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard.
• U.S. Robotics ships the Sportster v.34 28.8Kbps modems. List price: US$329 internal, US$349 external.
• An appeals court agrees with the June 1993 ruling against Apple Computer in its March 1988 suit against Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.
• NexGen introduces its Nx586 microprocessor, at speeds of 70-, 75-, 84-, and 93-MHz.
• Alaris introduces the first PC with a NexGen Nx586 processor.
• Atari and Sega settle their lawsuit, with Sega paying Atari US$90 million, in return for 7.4% of Atari, and rights to 70 Atari patents. [548.364]
• Sun Microsystems unveils the 64-bit UltraSPARC RISC processor.
• Microsoft announces the name of its upcoming Windows upgrade: Windows 95.
• Microsoft ships Microsoft Word 6.0 for the Macintosh.
• Digital Equipment Corporation formally introduces its next-generation Alpha AXP processors, including a 300-MHz version that can execute 1 billion instructions per second.
• IBM introduces the Aptiva line, to replace the PS/1 line, aimed at the home PC market.

October

• Caldera is founded. [570.22]
• Apple Computer expands its Macintosh Performa 6100 line with five new computers based on the PowerPC.
• Advanced Micro Designs unveils the chip architecture of the K5 processor.
• Microsoft announces and ships Windows NT Workstation 3.5 and Windows NT Server 3.5.
• Dr. Nicely reports his discovery of the Pentium floating point bug to Intel, and his report is made public on CompuServe.
• Microsoft makes a bid to buy Intuit (maker of Quicken) for US$1.5 billion stock swap.
• Seagate Technologies announces the first disc drive and interface achieving a transfer rate of 100 MB per second.
• IBM formally launches OS/2 Warp version 3.
• IBM and Motorola announce and introduce the prototype of the PowerPC 620 processor, operating at 133-MHz.
• Motorola announces availability of the PowerPC 603 processor, at US$175 for the 66-MHz chip, and US$199 for the 80-MHz version.
• Motorola announces availability of the PowerPC 601 processor, at US$189 for the 66-MHz chip, and US$299 for the 80-MHz version.
• IBM introduces the 100-MHz PowerPC 601 processor.
• IBM introduces the 100-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.
• IBM introduces the the 66-MHz and 80-MHz PowerPC 603 processors.
• IBM drops the PS/2, PS/1, Ambra, and ValuePoint lines, and XGA graphics, in favor of industry standards for its new PC line, the Series 300 and Series 700.
• MIPS Technologies announces the R10000 RISC microprocessor.
• Intel introduces the 75-MHz Pentium processor. Speed is 126.5 MIPS. It uses 3.2 million transistors, employing 0.6-micron BiCMOS technology.
• Gateway 2000 Incorporated sells the first PC powered by Intel's 75-MHz Pentium.
• Apple Computer ships System 7.5 for the Macintosh.

November

• Digital Equipment launches the Starion line of home-targeted personal computer systems.
• Hayes Microcomputer Products files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
• Apple Computer debuts the Power Macintosh 8100/100, as the industry's fastest, most powerful PC.
• Apple Computer, Motorola, and IBM announce that they will create a computer platform to run all major operating systems, except the Intel-based Microsoft Windows 3.1 and successors.
• Apple Computer declares its intention to openly license the Mac operating system.
• IBM ships the 100-MHz PowerPC 601 processors.
• IBM ships the the 66-MHz and 80-MHz PowerPC 603 processors.
• Cyrix announces the M1 next-generation x86 processor.
• Sun Microsystems announces the Sparcstation 20 Model HS11, using a 100-MHz HyperSparc processor from Ross Technology.
• Digital Equipment introduces its AlphaStation computers, with 166-MHz and 233-MHz Alpha AXP 21064 processors. This line incorporates the PCI bus, and sell for US$7000-$16000.
• Apple Computer delivers QuickTime 2.0 for Windows.
• Intel confirms that about 2 million Pentium chips have been shipped with a defective floating-point unit.

December

• The California Supreme Court upholds a 1992 decision that awarded Advanced Micro Devices technology rights in its suit against Intel.
• IBM ships the 100-MHz PowerPC 604 processors.
• Apple Computer sues San Francisco Canyon Company for using Apple Computer's QuickTime code to speed up Microsoft's Video for Windows product.
• Apple Computer demonstrates a PCI-based Power Macintosh using a 120-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.
• Intel ships the 63-MHz P24T Pentium Overdrive chip.
• Intel President Andy Grove admits the company mishandled the Pentium processor division problem, and appologizes for the resulting situation.
• NexGen announces sample availability of its 133-MHz Nx586 microprocessor.
• Novell ships UnixWare 2.0.
• Novell ships PerfectOffice 3.0 for Windows.

(month unknown)

• (spring) IBM closes down the European division of the Ambra company.

(month unknown)

• (before July) WordStar International, Spinnaker Software, and SoftKey Software Products merge companies, forming SoftKey International. [504.44]

(month unknown)

• (June?) Radius and SuperMac announce their intention to merge companies. [588.33]

(month unknown)

• (June?) Austin Computer Systems changes its name to IPC Technologies Incorporated. [504.44]

(month unknown)

• IBM introduces the ValuePoint line of PC systems. [311.37]

(month unknown)

• IBM and Motorola show a 120-MHz PowerPC 601 processor running in a prototype Power Macintosh. [588.33]

(month unknown)

• Aldus releases Aldus PageMaker 5.0a for Power Macintosh. [589.57]

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh PowerBook 540c. Code-name during development was Blackbird. It features a 9.5-inch diagonal active-matrix 640c480 LCD panel, 320 MB hard drive, 33-MHz 68LC040 processor.

(month unknown)

• Hayes Microcomputer Products abandons LANstep.

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer introduces the "Houdini" board, the DOS Compatibility Card for the Quadra 610, with a 25-MHz 486SX processor. The entire inventory of 25,000 boards sells out in a few months.

(month unknown)

• Cyrix ships the 33/66-MHz Cx486DRx2 processor.

(month unknown)

• Number Nine Computer Corp. ships the first PC video board using a 128-bit accelerator chip.

(month unknown)

• Microsoft releases FoxPro 2.6 for Unix.

(month unknown)

• Iomega Corp. introduces its Zip drive and Zip disks, floppy disk sized removable storage in sizes of 25MB or 100MB. [239.68]

(month unknown)

• Novell halts all development of Novell DOS.

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer releases the Apple Color StyleWriter Pro 360dpi color inkjet printer.

(month unknown)

• Merisel buys the ComputerLand chain. [548.433]

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer ships Macintosh Application Environment 1.0 for the HP-UX operating system with the Motif interface, and the Solaris operating system with the OpenLook interface.

(month unknown)

• The SCSI-2 standard is finalized as ANSI X3.131-1994. [542.111] [543]

(month unknown)

• NEC Technologies ships the NEC MultiSpin 4xPro quad-speed CD-ROM drive, for US$1000.

1995

January

• Sun Microsystems ships the 85-MHz Sun SuperSPARC II processor.
• Apple Computer ships QuickTime VR, bringing virtual reality to Macintosh and Windows-based personal computers.
• Apple Computer ships the 1 millionth Power Macintosh.
• Apple Computer announces the Newton MessagePad 120.
• Digital Equipment ships the Alpha 21164 processor running at 266-MHz.
• Microsoft unveils Microsoft Bob, a "superapplication" for Windows comsumer users, with a "social interface". The code name for the project was "Utopia".
• Radius Incorporated demonstrates the first Power Macintosh clone, using Apple Computer's licensed System 7 operating system.
• Borland International founder Philippe Kahn resigns as president and CEO.
• Advanced Micro Devices and Intel settle all outstanding processor related legal issues. Advanced Micro Devices pays Intel US$58 million in damages, and Intel pays US$18 million for breach of contract damagaes. Advanced Micro Devices retains full rights to microcode in Intel386 and Intel486 chips.
• Compaq Computer reaches worldwide number one PC marketshare position.
• IBM announces that 1 million copies of OS/2 Warp have shipped.

February

• Apple Computer extends its December 1994 lawsuit against San Francisco Canyon Company to include Microsoft and Intel. Microsoft removes the disputed code from Video for Windows, and releases version 1.1e.
• IBM announces PC DOS 7, with integrated data compression from Stac Electronics (Stacker).
• IBM and Motorola announce that test samples have been made of the PowerPC 603e (100-MHz) and PowerPC 602 (66MHz) microprocessors.
• Judge Sporkin rejects the settlement worked out between Microsoft and the Department of Justice, regarding Microsoft's alleged unfair trade practices. [380.31] [382.4] [439.28] [548.349]
• U.S. Robotics acquires Megahertz Holding Corporation.

March

• Borland International ships Borland Delphi.
• Apple Computer launches QuickTime On-Line, an Internet World Wide Web server.
• A U.S. Appeals Court overturns the Lotus Development win against Borland International, allowing emulation of Lotus 1-2-3 commands in Quattro Pro. The reversal of the prior court ruling saves Borland International US$100 million that it might have been required to pay.
• Iomega begins shipping its Zip drive. [485.7]
• IBM releases the ThinkPad 701C. It features an automatically expanding full-sized keyboard, dubbed the Butterfly. The laptop features a 10.4-inch thin-film transistor display, 50-MHz Intel 486DX2, 14.4K fax/modem, and weighs just 4.3 pounds.
• Intel introduces the 120-MHz Pentium processor. Speed is 203 MIPS. Pricing is US$935 each in quantities of 1000.
• Jim Cannavino resigns from IBM.
• Microsoft ships Bob for Windows.
• Digital Equipment ships the 166-MHz and 233-MHz Alpha 21066A processors.
• Digital Equipment ships the 300-MHz Alpha 21164 processor.

April

• IBM ships the 110-MHz PowerPC 601 processor.
• Apple Computer announces the Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC for the education market, using the 75-MHz PowerPC 603 processor.
• IBM releases PC DOS 7.
• Apple Europe introduces the Power Mac 6200 series in Europe. [178.33]
• Wang Laboratories amd Microsoft settle their lawsuit regarding OLE. Microsoft buys US$90 million of Wang stock for a license to Wang Laboratories' patents as part of the settlement.
• The US Department of Justice files a lawsuit to block the merger of Intuit and Microsoft.
• Lotus Development renames Ami Pro to Word Pro.
• Apple Computer introduces the new Apple CD 6003 quad-speed CD-ROM player.
• Apple Computer ships the QuickTake 150 digital camera for the Macintosh, Power Macintosh, and Windows environments.
• At an auction in New York, ESCOM buys all rights, properties, and technologies of Commodore.

May

• MIPS Technologies ships the 90-MHz R8000 RISC microprocessor.
• Microsoft and Intuit announce the termination of their planned merger.
• ESCOM announces the creation of a subsidiary company, Amiga Technologies, in Germany.
• Apple Computer unveils the next generation of its Mac OS at its Worldwide Developers Conference.
• Power Computing, the first company to license Apple Computer's Power Mac technology, begins shipping its first Power Mac clones.
• Intel releases the mobile version of the 90-MHz Pentium processor.
• IBM unveils its new IBM PC 300 desktop systems, with 75-MHz and 90-MHz Pentium CPUs. Complete systems start at US$2000.
• Apple Computer ships System 7.5.2 for the Macintosh, with PCI bus support.
• Intel introduces the P6 processor.
• Sun Microsystems announces sample availability of the 64-bit UltraSPARC microprocessor.

June

• IBM buys Lotus Development for US$3.5 billion in cash.
• Intel announces the immediate availability of the 133-MHz Pentium processor. It uses 3.2 million transistors, employing 0.35 micron BiCMOS technology. Speed is 218.9 MIPS. Price is US$935 each in quantities of 1000.
• Intel ceases shipments of the 60- and 66-MHz Pentium processors.
• The 1994 settlement between Microsoft and the US Department of Justice, which was thrown out in February, is reinstated.
• Apple Computer introduces its first color laser printer, the Color Laser Printer 12/600PS. The 600x600 dpi printer comes with 12 MB of RAM, uses a Canon-based engine, and costs about US$7,000.
• Apple Computer introduces its first PowerMac system using Intel's PCI bus, the Power Macintosh 9500, available with a 120-MHz or 132-MHz PowerPC 604 CPU. The 9500/120 with a 1 GB hard drive costs US$5000. The 9500/132 with 2 GB drive costs US$5800.
• IBM and Motorola announce that test samples have been made of the PowerPC 604 microprocessor at 120-MHz and 133-MHz.
• IBM ships the 120-MHz and 133-MHz PowerPC 604 processors.
• IBM debuts the Power Series 830 workstations with the PowerPC 604 microprocessor (100-133 MHz), and the ThinkPad Power Series 850 with the PowerPC 603e, at the PC Expo in New York.
• Iomega introduces an internal version of its 100MB removable cartridge Zip drive. [377.37]
• Iomega introduces the Jaz line of high-capacity removable cartridge drives. The cartridges hold 1 gigabyte, costing about US$100 each. Transfer rate of the drive is up to 5MBps. [376.29] [377.37] [384.2]
• IBM adds the 133-MHz Pentium to its IBM PC 700 line.
• Data General announces that future Aviion workstations will use Intel processors, not Motorola's 88000 chip.
• Boca Research signs a letter of intent to buy Hayes Microcomputer Products for US$72 million, choosing to use the Hayes name for the merged company.
• To this point, Apple Computer has sold 2 million Power Macs and upgrade cards since their initial release.
• Advanced Micro Devices announces sample availability of the clock-tripled 120-MHz Am486 DX4 processor.
• Compaq Computer introduces the 120-MHz Pentium-based Compaq Deskpro XL, starting at US$3950.
• Microsoft releases Windows NT v3.51.
• Microsoft releases Windows NT v3.51 for the PowerPC.

July

• MIPS Technologies ships the 250-MHz R4400 RISC microprocessor.
• Symantec buys Delrina.
• IBM completes its US$3.5 billion acquisition of Lotus Development Corporation, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.
• U.S. Robotics begins shipping enhanced Courier V.Everything modems capable of transmitting data at up to 33.6Kbps.
• Cyrix announces the 100-MHz CX5x86 microprocessor.
• Seagate Technologies ships the one millionth Barracuda 5.25-inch hard drive, since the line was introduced in 1993.
• Seagate Technologies ships the one millionth Elite 3.5-inch hard drive, since the line was introduced in November 1989.
• Hewlett-Packard unveils the DeskJet 1600C and 1600CM, color ink-jet printers.

August

• The Software Publishers Association announces packaging guidelines in an attempt to reduce packaging and use less environmentally harmful materials. [603.13]
• Pinnacle Micro introduces the Apex 4.6, a 5.25-inch optical drive, storing 4.6GB on a single removable disc. Transfer rate is up to 6MBps, with a seek time of 17ms. Costs are US$200 for cartridges, and US$1700 for the drive. Software supports Windows, Macintosh, and various Unix platforms. [402.6]
• Microsoft and the US Department of Justice sign a "consent decree", which will govern Microsoft's licensing practices of Windows for the next 6.5 years. The ruling comes after 4 years of investigation of monopolistic licensing practices. [387.32] [389.29]
• Apple Computer expands its line of PowerMac systems using Intel's PCI bus, with the Power Macintosh 8500, 7500, and 7200. The 8500 uses a 120-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.
• Lotus Development ships SmartSuite 4.0 for Windows 3.1, for US$400.
• Intel demonstrates a system using a 150-MHz P6 CPU, running Windows 95.
• Boca Research abandons its plans to merge with Hayes Microcomputer Products.
• Microsoft releases Windows 95. More than 20,000 retail stores offer copies for sale. Microsoft prepares for aupport calls, with 1600 people staffing tech support lines. 1 million copies of the new and upgrade versions are sold through retail channels within the first 4 days.
• Microsoft begins shipping Windows NT Server 3.51.
• Compaq Computer introduces nine new desktop models based on the 133-MHz Pentium processor.113]
• Compaq Computer and Fisher-Price team up to develop, manufacture, and market a new line of educational and entertainment-oriented products.
• Microsoft introduces Microsoft Office 95.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0.
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the DeskJet 850C and 855C, color ink-jet printers. Prices: US$658 and US$663, respectively.

September

• The United States Patent Office overturns the decision to grant Gilbert Hyatt a patent on the microprocessor. The ruling recognizes Texas Instruments' Gary Boone as the prior inventor of the microprocessor.
• Diamond Multimedia Systems acquires modem maker Supra, for cash and stock worth US$54 million. [325.18] (AUG [375.3])
• AT&T shuts down NCR, at a cost of US$1.2 billion.
• IBM introduces the Aptiva PC.
• Intel announces the official name for the P6 chip: Pentium Pro.
• Two groups of companies agree on a proposed high density compact disc format. The new format will allow up to 18.8 gigabytes total on a double-sided disc. [324.50]
• One month after the release of Windows 95, an estimated 7 million copies have been sold to end-users. [271.70]
• Six months after its release, 30,000 units of Microsoft' Bob have been sold.
• Intel introduces the 83-MHz Pentium OverDrive processor, for replacement in 33-MHz 486DX and 486DX2/66 systems. Price: US$300.
• Novell sells UnixWare and the rights to the UNIX operating system to Santa Cruz Operations for US$145 million.
• Intel announces the 80486SXSF and GXSF 486 microprocessors, designed for hand held computer products. The GX has a 16-bit bus, the SX a 32-bit bus. Both are 33-MHz, operating on 2.0-3.3 volts.
• AT&T spins off its computer subsidiary (formerly NCR) as AT&T Global Information Solutions.

October

• Digital Equipment announces its Alpha 21164 processor running at 333-MHz.
• Intel introduces a 120-MHz Pentium designed for mobile computers.
• NexGen announces the Nx686 processor. It integrates new multimedia instructions and a multimedia execution unit into the x86 architecture.
• Seagate Technologies and Conner Peripherals agree to a US$1.1 billion merger.
• Sun Microsystems ships the 143-MHz and 167-MHz versions of the UltraSPARC processor.
• Intel releases the mobile version of the 120-MHz Pentium processor.
• Advanced Micro Devices and NexGen announce a planned merger, in which NexGen would become a subsidiary of Advanced Micro Devices. The cost to Advanced Micro Devices is US$861 million in stock.
• IBM celebrates the first anniversary of launching OS/2 Warp, with nearly 4 million copies sold.
• IBM releases the ThinkPad 760CD, with the industry's first 12.1-inch thin-film transistor display on a laptop. The laptop uses a 120-MHz Pentium processor. [439.32]
• Motorola announces pricing and general availability of 100- and 120-MHz versions of its PowerPC 603e microprocessor. Prices are US$207 and US$260 each, respectively, in quantities of 1000.
• Jim Manzi announces his resignation as CEO of Lotus Development.
• Novell announces its decision to exit from the personal productivity applications business, to focus on networking software.
• Cyrix announces the 100-MHz CX6x86 microprocessor (formerly code-named M1). The chip is manufactured by IBM, and priced at US$450 each in quantities of 1000.
• Cyrix announces sample availability of the 120-MHz 5x86, available for US$160 each in quantities of 1000.
• Six weeks after its release 4 million copies of Windows 95 have been sold. [326.27]
• Microsoft reports selling 7 million copies of Windows 95 in under two months of its release. [390.2]
• IBM ships the 150-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.

November

• IBM ships the 120-MHz version of the PowerPC 601 processor.
• Power Computing begins shipping the PowerWave 604 series of Macintosh-compatible PowerPC-based microcomputers. They use the 120- to 150-MHz PowerPC 604 processors. Prices start at US$3200. [426.54]
• President of Amiga Technologies announces that the Power PC processor will be used in Amiga computers sometime in 1997.
• U.S. Robotics begins shipping enhanced Sportster v.34 modems capable of transmitting data at up to 33.6Kbps.
• Intel announces the Pentium Pro microprocessor, at speeds of 150-, 180-, and 200 MHz, available initially for US$974 to US$1682. The processor uses 5.5 million transistors.
• SPARC Technology Business, a division of Sun Microsystems, Inc., announces the sampling of the 200-MHz 64-bit UltraSPARC-I microprocessor.
• Sun Microsystems introduces new Ultra 1 and Ultra 2 workstations, based on the 64-bit UltraSparc microprocessor. Initial speeds are 143-, 167-, and 200-MHz, with prices ranging from US$16,500 to US$60,000.
• Hewlett-Packard announces the Model C110 workstation.
• NexGen announces the sampling of the 120-MHz Nx586 processor. Price is US$303 each in quantities of 1000.
• NexGen announces the sampling of the 133-MHz Nx586 processor. Price is US$447 each in quantities of 1000.
• Advanced Micro Devices begins shipping samples of its 133-MHz Am5x86 Pentium-class processor. Price is US$93 each in quantities of 1000.
• Mitsumi announces a 128-MB 3.5-inch flexible disk drive system, compatible with 720KB and 1.44MB diskettes. [485.7]
• IBM, Apple Computer, and Hewlett-Packard dissolve Taligent Inc.
• IBM, Apple Computer, and Motorola release the PowerPC Platform specifications, called the Common Hardware Reference Platform (CHRP). It encompasses support for Macintosh System 7, Windows NT, AIX, Solaris, Netware, and OS/2. Windows 3.x and Windows 95 are excluded.

December

• IBM and Apple Computer dissolve Kaleida Labs.
• Digital Equipment ships the 300-MHz Alpha 21064A processor.
• Digital Equipment ships the 333-MHz Alpha 21164 processor.
• Apple Computer ships the Newton 2.0 operating system.
• IBM ships a record 1 million copies of OS/2 Warp in the month, bringing the installed base to 12.7 million.
• IBM completes work on OS/2 for the PowerPC.

(month unknown)

• Intel destroys 1.5 million flawed Pentium chips, at a rough cost of US$475 million. [425.10]

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer ships an updated "Houdini" board, the DOS Compatibility Card for the Power Macintosh. For US$740, it gives a 486DX2/66, sound, and 800x600 SVGA graphics.

(month unknown)

• Microsoft releases FoxPro 3.0 for Windows, with OLE support.

(month unknown)

• Nintendo officially drops the Nintendo Entertainment System from its product line. [292]

(month unknown)

• Sega introduces the 32-bit game system, Saturn. [520.34]

(month unknown)

• Sony Electronics introduces the 32-bit game system, PlayStation.

1996

January

• Advanced Micro Devices and NexGen complete their merger, with AMD paying US$623 million for NexGen.
• Intel announces the immediate availability of the 60/150-MHz Pentium processor. Pricing is US$547 each in quantities of 1000. The processor operates on 3.3-volts of power, and utilizes Intel's 0.35 micron BiCMOS manufacturing technology.
• Intel announces the immediate availability of the 66/166-MHz Pentium P55C processor. Pricing is US$749 each in quantities of 1000. The processor operates on 3.3-volts of power, and utilizes Intel's 0.35 micron manufacturing technology.
• NeXT ends development of the NextStep operating system.
• IBM releases OS/2 for the PowerPC.
• Umax Data Systems buys Radius' Macintosh operating system license. [427.40]
• Philippe Kahn resigns as chairman of Borland International.
• Compaq announces the Scanner Keyboard, for US$350. It incorporates a color page scanner into an otherwise normal keyboard. [404.A5]
• Silicon Graphics introduces InfiniteReality, an Indigo2 workstation based on the MIPS Technologies R10000 microprocessor.
• Corel purchases WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, and the PerfectOffice application suite from Novell for US$180 million in cash, stock, and future licensing royalties..6] [299.1] [430.42] [451.1] [455.4] [435.43] [467.6]
• Digital Equipment announces it is exiting from the consumer desktop PC market, and discontinuing the Starion line of multimedia PCs.
• The US Supreme Court upholds a ruling that Borland International's Quattro Pro did not violate Lotus Development's Lotus 1-2-3 copyrights. The original suit was filed in July, 1990.
• Intel renames the P7 processor Merced.
• Apple Computer's board of directors fire CEO Michael Spindler, and demote co-founder Mike Markkula from chairman to vice chairman.
• Advanced Micro Devices and Intel sign a five-year patent cross-license agreement.
• The US Supreme Court votes 4-4 on the Lotus/Borland "look-and-feel" issue, upholding the decision of appeal in March 1995. [453.4]
• Apple Computer publicly shows the Macintosh operating system running on an IBM system (PowerPC-based) for the first time.

February

• MIPS Technologies ships the 200-MHz R5000 RISC microprocessor.
• Micron Electronics closes subsidiary company Zeos. [486.311]
• Santa Cruz Operations releases SCO UnixWare 2.1.
• Microsoft releases the Windows 95 Service Pack 1 operating system update.
• Motorola ships samples of the 64-bit PowerPC 620 processor.
• Seagate Technologies and Conner Peripherals complete their merger.
• Apple Computer's board of directors names Gilbert Amelio as new CEO, president, and chairman of the company.
• IBM announces it is abandoning plans to develop its Power Personal Series line of PowerPC-based desktop PCs.
• Cyrix announces volume availability of the 110-MHz P133+ CX6x86 microprocessor, for US$326.
• Cyrix announces volume availability of the 60/120-MHz P150+ CX6x86 microprocessor, for US$451.
• Cyrix announces limited availability of the 66/130-MHz P166+ CX6x86 microprocessor, for US$621.
• IBM ships OS/2 Warp Server.
• Apple Computer licenses the MacOS to Motorola.

March

• Microsoft ships the 30 millionth copy of Windows 95.
• Packard Bell Electronics receives Zenith Data Systems, as part of a US$650 million deal with NEC and Groupe Bull. [305.3] [456.10] [475.A5] [523.102] (FEB [521.13])
• Computer-maker CompuAdd shuts down operations. [436.53]
• Silicon Graphics and Cray Research agree to merge, at a cost of about US$764 million to Silicon Graphics.
• Compaq Computer introduces the 180-MHz Pentium Pro-based Prolinea.
• Intel releases the 120-MHz Pentium OverDrive processor for 60-MHz systems, with the 133-MHz version for 66-MHz systems, and the 125-MHz version for 75-MHz systems. Price for any of the chips is US$400.
• Intel releases the 133-MHz Pentium processor for notebook computers. The processor uses 0.35 micron technology, and operates on 3.3 volts of power externally, while its internal core only requires 2.9 volts. Price is US$371 in quantities of 1000.
• MIPS Technologies ships the 200-MHz R10000 RISC microprocessor.
• Advanced Micro Devices begins shipping the AMD5K86 microprocessor. Prices are US$75 each for the 133-MHz AMD5K86-P75, and US$99 each for the AMD5K86-P90, in quantities of 1000.
• Digital Equipment introduces the HiNote Ultra II, subnotebook. It features a 100/120/133-MHz Pentium, weighs 4 pounds, 10.4-inch color SVGA active matrix screen, removable memory/hard drive pack, removable CD-ROM/speaker pack, and removable external ports pack. Prices range from US$3000-6000.
• Iomega sells its 1-millionth Zip drive. [485.7]
• Digital Equipment unveils 366-MHz and 400-MHz versions of its Alpha microprocessor.

April

• Hewlett-Packard begins shipping the HP LaserJet 5 line of laser printers.
• IBM ships the 166-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.
• IBM ships the 180-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.
• Silicon Graphics completes its purchase of Cray Research, for US$764 million.
• Corel releases Corel WordPerfect Suite 7, and Corel Office Professional Suite. [467.6] (MAY [497.1])
• Apple Computer introduces the Power Macintosh 9500/150, with a 150-MHz PowerPC 604 processor.

May

• Netscape Communications releases Netscape Navigator 2.02. [553.24]
• IBM and Motorola ship the 200-MHz PowerPC 603e processor.

June

• Sony Information Technologies of America introduces Sony's new line of comsumer-based PC systems, priced at US$2000-3000. [524.14] [546.37]

April

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0.

June

• Intel introduces the 200-MHz Pentium processor, shipping it initially in small quantities. Price is US$599 in quantities of 1000.
• IBM begins shipping small quantities of its version of Cyrix' 150-MHz 6x86 processor.
• Digital Equipment ships 366-MHz and 400-MHz versions of its Alpha 21164 microprocessor.
• Microsoft ships Direct3D to developers, eight months behind schedule. Direct3D is a framework for hardware-based acceleration of 3-D games for Windows. Previous name for Direct3D was Win/G.
• Cyrix introduces the 6x86-P200+ processor.
• SunSoft releases Wabi 2.2. [523.19]
• Nintendo announces the Nintendo 64, a 64-bit game system. [520.34]
• Advanced Micro Devices begins shipping the K5-PR100 microprocessor. It is a 100-MHz Pentium-compatible plug-in replacement. Price is US$84 each for 1000.

July

• Caldera buys DR DOS from Novell.
• Compaq Computer discontinues the ProLinea desktop computer line.
• Digital Equipment begins shipping the 433-MHz Alpha 21164 processor.
• Intel begins shipping the 200-MHz Pentium Pro with a 512-KB cache.
• IBM ships the 225-MHz PowerPC 604e processor.
• Apple Computer releases System 7.5.3 operating system for the Macintosh.
• Visual Information Service Corp. signs an agreement to purchase the intellectual property and inventory of Amiga Technologies GmbH. [547.6]

August

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0.
• Intel releases the 150-MHz mobile Pentium processor, designed for use in portable computers. The processor uses 0.35 micron technology, and operates on 3.3 volts of power externally, while its internal core only requires 3.1 volts. Price is US$341 in quantities of 1000.
• Robert Frankenberg resigns as president and CEO of Novell.
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the Vectra XW line of workstations. They are based on 200-MHz Pentium Pro processors and Windows NT Workstation operating systems.

September

• Hewlett-Packard unveils the Vectra XM and Vectra VL series of Pentium-powered computers.
• Hewlett-Packard introduces and ships the OmniBook 800 notebook portable computer. It features a 133-MHz Pentium processor, PCI bus, 10.4-inch active matrix screen, 16 MB RAM, 1.44 GB drive, and weighs 3.75 pounds. Price is US$4850. CD-ROM and docking station are optional.
• Motorola announces its entry into the Power Macintosh clone market, by unveiling the StarMax (Mac-compatible) and PowerStack II (Windows NT-based) series, featuring the PowerPC 603e and 604e processors, operating at 166-MHz and 200-MHz.
• Microsoft unveils Windows CE operating system for hand-held PCs. Code-name of the project was Pegasus. "CE" stands for Consumer Electronics.
• IBM launches OS/2 Warp 4, in San Francisco, California. Price is US$249.
• The IBM Personal Computer Company releases the IBM Series 365, the first IBM PCs with an option for dual Intel processors.

October

• A group of disk drive and media manufacturers announce an agreement to produce CD-Rewritable drives and media. [574.22]
• Microsoft ships the Visual J++ Professional Edition development kit, for US$99.
• Compaq Computer enters the workstation market with the announcement of the Professional Workstation line of Pentium Pro based systems.

November

• Enorex Microsystems introduces the Enorex Ultra PC line of Digital Equipment Alpha processor-based workstations. The systems offer 366-MHz to 500-MHz speeds, and come with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation. Prices start at US$3000.
• Compaq Computer ships the PC Companion, a hand-held computer running Windows CE. Weight is under 1 pound. The unit measures 7 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep. It runs on AA batteries, lasting up to 20 hours. Prices range from US$499 (2MB RAM) to US$699 (6MB RAM).
• NEC Computer Systems ships the MobilePro HPC, a hand-held computer running Windows CE. [605.6]
• Hitachi Home Electronics ships the Hitachi Handheld PC, running Windows CE. [605.6]
• Casio Computer ships the Cassiopeia, a hand-held computer running Windows CE. [605.6]
• IBM shows a prototype Professional Workstation at Fall Comdex, with a 16.1-inch color active-matric flat-panel LCD screen.
• Microsoft unveils Microsoft Office 97 at Fall Comdex. Prices: standard edition US$499 (upgrade US$209), professional edition US$599 (upgrade US$309).
• IBM shows a 300-MHz version of the PowerPC processor at Fall Comdex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(month unknown)

• (January?) Intel begins shipping the 200-MHz Pentium Pro processor.

(month unknown)

• Micro Express ships the MicroHex-686/100, the first computer using the Cyrix 6x86 microprocessor.

(month unknown)

• (June?) NEC Electronics begins shipping its R4101 processor for persinal digital assistants. Thc chip includes a 33-MHz 4100 processor core, 2 KB instruction cache, 1 KB data cache, real-time clock, DMA controller, audio driver, and interfaces for serial port, keyboard, infrared, and touch-screen interfaces. [590.5]

(month unknown)

• (June?) Digital Equipment announces availability of the 500-MHz Alpha 21164 processor. The chip uses a 0.35-micron die.

(month unknown)

• Advanced Micro Designs discontinues the NexGen Nx586 processor.

(month unknown)

• IBM produces a single processor chip version of its 8-chip Power2 architecture. Dubbed the P2SC, the processor contains 15 million transistors, of which 9.3 million are for cache arrays. The 135-MHz processor is made with IBM's 0.29-micron COMS-6S process.

End of 1994-1996 - New Hope