Chronology of Events
in the
History of Microcomputers

Last updated: 1999 February 3

1995

January

• Sun Microsystems ships the 85-MHz Sun SuperSPARC II processor. [557.135]
• Apple Computer ships QuickTime VR, bringing virtual reality to Macintosh and Windows-based personal computers. [46]
• Apple Computer ships the 1 millionth Power Macintosh. [46] [654.15]
• Apple Computer announces the Newton MessagePad 120. [46] [271.N7]
• Digital Equipment ships the Alpha 21164 processor running at 266-MHz. [557.135]
• Microsoft unveils Microsoft Bob, a "superapplication" for Windows consumer users, with a "social interface". The code name for the project was "Utopia". [101] [123] (January 1996 [721.156])
• Radius Incorporated demonstrates the first Power Macintosh clone, using Apple Computer's licensed System 7 operating system. [101]
• Borland International founder Philippe Kahn resigns as president and CEO. [102] [439.12]
• 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 damages. Advanced Micro Devices retains full rights to microcode in Intel386 and Intel486 chips. [102] [141] [265]
• Compaq Computer reaches worldwide number one PC marketshare position. [113]
• Ken Halverson and Alan Marcu found Advanced Micro Solutions. [486.50]
• IBM announces that 1 million copies of OS/2 Warp have shipped. [142]

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. [548.362]
• IBM announces PC DOS 7, with integrated data compression from Stac Electronics (Stacker). [142]
• IBM and Motorola announce that test samples have been made of the PowerPC 603e (100-MHz) and PowerPC 602 (66MHz) microprocessors. [145] [204.211] [265]
• US District Court Judge Stanley Sporkin rejects the consent decree settlement worked out between Microsoft and the Department of Justice, regarding Microsoft's alleged unfair trade practices. He claims the proposed settlement does not go far enough in addressing Microsoft's licensing practices, and is not in the public interest. [380.31] [382.4] [439.28] [548.349] [775] [785.111] [796.65]
• U.S. Robotics acquires Megahertz Holding Corporation. [235]

March

• Borland International ships Borland Delphi. [548.159]
• Apple Computer launches QuickTime On-Line, an Internet World Wide Web server. [46]
• 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. [103] [453.4] [548.343]
• 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. [439.32] [471.35]
• Apple Computer signs a licensing agreement with DayStar Digital, allowing the company to produce Macintosh compatible computers. [653.65]
• Apple Computer signs a licensing agreement with Radius, allowing the company to produce Macintosh compatible computers. [653.65] (September 1994 [764.30]) (December 1994 [764.31])
• Apple Computer signs a licensing agreement with Power Computing, allowing the company to produce Macintosh compatible computers. [653.65] (September 1994 [764.30]) (December 1994 [764.31])
• Intel introduces the 120-MHz Pentium processor. Speed is 203 MIPS. Pricing is US$935 each in quantities of 1000. [62] [189.1] [265] [557.135]
• Jim Cannavino resigns from IBM. [439.12]
• Microsoft ships Bob for Windows. [226.12]
• Digital Equipment ships the 166-MHz and 233-MHz Alpha 21066A processors. [557.135]
• Digital Equipment ships the 300-MHz Alpha 21164 processor. [557.135]

April

• IBM ships the 110-MHz PowerPC 601 processor. [557.135]
• Apple Computer announces the Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC for the education market, using the 75-MHz PowerPC 603 processor. [46] [104]
• IBM releases PC DOS 7. [105]
• Apple Europe introduces the Power Mac 6200 series in Europe. [178.33]
• Wang Laboratories and 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. [548.367]
• The US Department of Justice files a lawsuit to block the merger of Intuit and Microsoft. [128] [382.4] [775] [785.111]
• Lotus Development renames Ami Pro to Word Pro. [439.28]
• Apple Computer introduces the new Apple CD 6003 quad-speed CD-ROM player. [46]
• Apple Computer ships the QuickTake 150 digital camera for the Macintosh, Power Macintosh, and Windows environments. [46]
• At an auction in New York, ESCOM buys all rights, properties, and technologies of Commodore. [186] [187] [491.52] [547.6]
• California Memories Plus files for bankruptcy, with over US$400,000 in debt. [486.49]
• Micron Electronics buys Zeos Computer. [608.30]

May

• Microsoft asks Netscape Communications to agree to not develop Netscape Navigator for Windows 95 and successors. Netscape refuses. [765] (June [784.32,34]
• MIPS Technologies ships the 90-MHz R8000 RISC microprocessor. [557.135]
• Microsoft and Intuit announce the termination of their planned merger. [123] [128] [382.4] [389.29] [439.28]
• ESCOM announces the creation of a subsidiary company, Amiga Technologies, in Germany. [187]
• Apple Computer unveils the next generation of its Mac OS at its Worldwide Developers Conference. [46]
• Power Computing, the first company to license Apple Computer's Power Mac technology, begins shipping its first Power Mac clones. [178.35] [764.30] (August [454.32])
• Intel releases the mobile version of the 90-MHz Pentium processor. [439.32]
• IBM unveils its new IBM PC 300 desktop systems, with 75-MHz and 90-MHz Pentium CPUs. Complete systems start at US$2000. [127]
• Kirk Frantz sells Nevada Computer to Pacific Coast Micro. [486.50]
• Apple Computer ships System 7.5.2 for the Macintosh, with PCI bus support. [392.45]
• Intel introduces the P6 processor. [439.12]
• Sun Microsystems announces sample availability of the 64-bit UltraSPARC microprocessor. [241] (March [557.135])

June

• Tim and Mark Elliott start The Memory Exchange company. [486.50]
• IBM buys Lotus Development for US$3.5 billion in cash. [124] [142] [376.1] [376.100] [383.1] [439.12] [464.15] [517.14]
• 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. [62] [124] [126] [265] [376.6] [383.4] [557.135] (April [439.28])
• Intel ceases shipments of the 60- and 66-MHz Pentium processors. [383.4]
• The 1994 settlement between Microsoft and the US Department of Justice, which was thrown out in February, is reinstated.
• An appeals court rules that Judge Sporkin had no authority to reject the consent decree between the US Department of Justice and Microsoft in February. It is sent to another court for approval. [389.29] [775] (April [785.111])
• 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. [124]
• 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. [125] [145] (August [673.24])
• IBM and Motorola announce that test samples have been made of the PowerPC 604 microprocessor at 120-MHz and 133-MHz. [145] [265]
• IBM ships the 120-MHz and 133-MHz PowerPC 604 processors. [557.135]
• 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. [142] [377.6] [125] [128] [145] [212.191] [397.12] (Power Series 850 [385.14])
• 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. [142]
• Data General announces that future Aviion workstations will use Intel processors, not Motorola's 88000 chip. [386.61]
• 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. [129.3] [238.3] [321.12] [378.74] [451.A8]
• To this point, Apple Computer has sold 2 million Power Macs and upgrade cards since their initial release. [179.33]
• Advanced Micro Devices announces sample availability of the clock-tripled 120-MHz Am486 DX4 processor. [141] [265]
• Compaq Computer introduces the 120-MHz Pentium-based Compaq Deskpro XL, starting at US$3950. [113]
• Microsoft releases Windows NT v3.51. [237.45] [323.20]
• Microsoft releases Windows NT v3.51 for the PowerPC. [428.209]

July

• Silicon Graphics introduces Indigo2 Impact workstation. [749.69]
• MIPS Technologies ships the 250-MHz R4400 RISC microprocessor. [557.135]
• Symantec buys Delrina. [439.29]
• IBM completes its US$3.5 billion acquisition of Lotus Development Corporation, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. [142] [217]
• U.S. Robotics begins shipping enhanced Courier V.Everything modems capable of transmitting data at up to 33.6Kbps. [235]
• Cyrix announces the 100-MHz CX5x86 microprocessor. [557.135]
• Seagate Technologies ships the one millionth Barracuda 3.5-inch hard drive, since the line was introduced in 1993. [227]
• Seagate Technologies ships the one millionth Elite 5.25-inch hard drive, since the line was introduced in November 1989. [227]
• Hewlett-Packard unveils the DeskJet 1600C and 1600CM, color ink-jet printers. [402.35]

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]
• US District Court Judge Thomas Jackson approves the consent decree between Microsoft and the US Department of Justice. The decree will govern Microsoft's licensing practices of Windows for the next 6.5 years, barring it from linking unrelated software licenses. The ruling comes after 4 years of investigation of monopolistic licensing practices. [387.32] [389.29] [765.14] [775]
• Apple Computer introduces the Power Macintosh 7200, with a 75-MHz or 90-MHz PowerPC 601 processor, 8MB RAM, 500MB or 1GB hard drive, and 4X CD-ROM drive. The system uses Intel's PCI bus. [114] [673.24]
• Apple Computer introduces the Power Macintosh 7500, with a 100-MHz PowerPC 601 processor, 8MB RAM, 500MB hard drive, and 4X CD-ROM drive. The system uses Intel's PCI bus. [114] [673.24]
• Apple Computer introduces the Power Macintosh 8500, with a 120-MHz PowerPC 604 processor, 16MB RAM, 1GB hard drive, and 4X CD-ROM drive. The system uses Intel's PCI bus. [114] [673.24]
• Lotus Development ships SmartSuite 4.0 for Windows 3.1, for US$400. [322.3]
• Intel demonstrates a system using a 150-MHz P6 CPU, running Windows 95. [114]
• Boca Research abandons its plans to merge with Hayes Microcomputer Products. [237.37] [321.12] [451.A8]
• Microsoft releases Windows 95. More than 20,000 retail stores offer copies for sale. Microsoft prepares for support 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. [182] [123] [271.70] [272.A5] [301.3] [323.20] [387.1] [388.6] [389.29] [428.12] [439.12] [548.159] [620.134] [626.72] [721.156] [794.39]
• Microsoft begins shipping Windows NT Server 3.51. [567.132]
• 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. [113]
• Microsoft introduces Microsoft Office 95. [439.29] [564.13]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0. [564.13]
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the DeskJet 850C and 855C, color ink-jet printers. Prices: US$658 and US$663, respectively. [402.35]

September

• A unified standard for DVD technology is announced. [727.6]
• 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. [590.5]
• Diamond Multimedia Systems acquires modem maker Supra, for cash and stock worth US$54 million. [325.18] (August [375.3])
• AT&T shuts down NCR, at a cost of US$1.2 billion. [282.112]
• IBM introduces the Aptiva PC. [142]
• Intel announces the official name for the P6 chip: Pentium Pro. [62] [432.47]
• 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. [226.12]
• Don Smith Jr. starts Micro Trade company. [486.50]
• Intel introduces the 83-MHz Pentium OverDrive processor, for replacement in 33-MHz 486DX and 486DX2/66 systems. Price: US$300. [323.3] [403.123]
• Novell sells UNIXWare and the rights to the UNIX operating system to Santa Cruz Operations for US$145 million. [324.24] [439.12] (1994 October [216.4]) (1995 December [472.25] [570.A4]) (US$60 million [216.4])
• Amiga Technologies ships the A1200 microcomputer. It features a 14-MHz Motorola 68EC020 microprocessor, 2 MB RAM, 24-bit color, 3.5 inch 880KB floppy drive, optional 170 MB hard drive, and the AmigaOS 3.1 operating system. [186]
• 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. [324.3]
• AT&T spins off its computer subsidiary (formerly NCR) as AT&T Global Information Solutions. [324.20]

October

• Advanced Micro Solutions closes. [486.50]
• Digital Equipment announces its Alpha 21164 processor running at 333-MHz. [112] [265]
• Intel introduces a 120-MHz Pentium designed for mobile computers. [62]
• NexGen announces the Nx686 processor. It integrates new multimedia instructions and a multimedia execution unit into the x86 architecture. [303.67]
• Sunwest Micro closes. [486.49]
• Seagate Technologies and Conner Peripherals agree to a US$1.1 billion merger. [227] [439.29] (September [324.16])
• Sun Microsystems ships the 143-MHz and 167-MHz versions of the UltraSPARC processor. [325.38] [557.135]
• Intel releases the mobile version of the 120-MHz Pentium processor. [439.32]
• 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. [141] [220.3] [265] [348.35] [391.32]
• IBM celebrates the first anniversary of launching OS/2 Warp, with nearly 4 million copies sold. [142]
• 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. [181]
• Jim Manzi announces his resignation as CEO of Lotus Development. [217] [389.4] [432.1] [439.12] [464.15]
• Novell announces its decision to exit from the personal productivity applications business, to focus on networking software. [225] [392.1]
• 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. [325.111] [389.49] [431.54] [437.27] [438.35] [460] [512.112] [557.135]
• Be Inc. introduces the BeBox. [781.123]
• Cyrix announces sample availability of the 120-MHz 5x86, available for US$160 each in quantities of 1000. [265] [460] (November [557.135])
• 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. [557.135] [572.20]

November

• IBM ships the 120-MHz version of the PowerPC 601 processor. [557.135]
• Amiga Technologies ships the A4000T microcomputer. It features a 25-MHz Motorola 68040 microprocessor (or 50-MHz 68060), 2 MB chip RAM, 24-bit color, 4-channel stereo sound, IDE and SCSI II adapters, 3.5 inch 880KB floppy drive, 1 GB hard drive, and the AmigaOS 3.1 operating system. [186]
• 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. [186].
• U.S. Robotics begins shipping enhanced Sportster v.34 modems capable of transmitting data at up to 33.6Kbps. [235]
• 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. [215.24] [216.26] [265] [397.12] [439.12] [518.182] [62] [557.135] [575.147] (166-, 180-, and 200-MHz versions announced in February 1996 [557.136])
• SPARC Technology Business, a division of Sun Microsystems, Inc., announces the sampling of the 200-MHz 64-bit UltraSPARC-I microprocessor. [265]
• 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. [216.1] [241] [513.49] [568.52]
• Hewlett-Packard announces the Model C110 workstation. [568.52]
• NexGen announces the sampling of the 120-MHz Nx586 processor. Price is US$303 each in quantities of 1000. [265] [557.135]
• NexGen announces the sampling of the 133-MHz Nx586 processor. Price is US$447 each in quantities of 1000. [265] [557.135]
• Advanced Micro Devices begins shipping samples of its 133-MHz Am5x86 Pentium-class processor. Price is US$93 each in quantities of 1000. [228.25] [265] (US$74 [141])
• 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. [259.5] [399.32] (December [260.3] [439.3])
• 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. [283.56] [433.15] [439.12] (November 1994 [64.31])

December

• Microsoft announces its Internet strategy. [783.190] (March 1996 [800.55])
• IBM and Apple Computer dissolve Kaleida Labs. [259.5] (November [398])
• Digital Equipment ships the 300-MHz Alpha 21064A processor. [557.135]
• Digital Equipment ships the 333-MHz Alpha 21164 processor. [557.135]
• Apple Computer ships the Newton 2.0 operating system. [271.N7]
• IBM ships a record 1 million copies of OS/2 Warp in the month, bringing the installed base to 12.7 million. [295.3] [462.6]
• IBM completes work on OS/2 for the PowerPC. [381.11]

(month unknown)

• (summer) Motorola introduces the MC68328 chip, with 2.7 MIPS performance at 16-MHz clock speed. It incorporates about 20 components. [798.89]

(month unknown)

• (fall) Pacific Coast Micro closes. [486.50]

(month unknown)

• (fall) Nevada Computer closes. [486.50]

(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. [204.166]

(month unknown)

• Adam Kolahzadeh starts Advanced Micro Electronics. [486.50]

(month unknown)

• Microsoft releases FoxPro 3.0 for Windows, with OLE support. [494.6]

(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. [520.34]

1996

January

• Advanced Micro Devices and NexGen complete their merger, with AMD paying US$623 million for NexGen. [141] [450.18]
• 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. [265] [283.8] [473.10] [523.6] [62] [557.135] [598.4]
• 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. [265] [283.8] [473.10] [523.6] [62] [557.135]
• NeXT ends development of the NeXTSTEP operating system. [283.8]
• IBM releases OS/2 for the PowerPC. [293.35]
• Umax Data Systems buys Radius' Macintosh operating system license. [427.40]
• Philippe Kahn resigns as chairman of Borland International. [401.32] (1995 November [439.12])
• 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. [294.1] [568.53]
• Corel purchases WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, and the PerfectOffice application suite from Novell for US$180 million in cash, stock, and future licensing royalties. [297.6] [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. [455.32] [475.A5]
• 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. [304.49]
• Intel renames the P7 processor Merced. [450.3]
• Apple Computer's board of directors fire CEO Michael Spindler, and demote co-founder Mike Markkula from chairman to vice chairman. [430.38] [451.3]
• Compaq Computer and IBM announce that future PCs will support the CEBus (Consumer Electronics Bus) standard. [631.39]
• Advanced Micro Devices and Intel sign a five-year patent cross-license agreement. [141] [62]
• 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. [430.42]

February

• Windows Memory Corp. closes. [486.51]
• MIPS Technologies ships the 200-MHz R5000 RISC microprocessor. [557.136]
• Micron Electronics closes subsidiary company Zeos Computer. [486.311]
• Santa Cruz Operations releases SCO UNIXWare 2.1. [472.25]
• Microsoft releases the Windows 95 Service Pack 1 operating system update. [472.109]
• Motorola ships samples of the 64-bit PowerPC 620 processor. [298.40]
• Seagate Technologies and Conner Peripherals complete their merger. [473.10] [227]
• Apple Computer's board of directors names Gilbert Amelio as new CEO, president, and chairman of the company. [299.3] [381.11] [430.38] [455.2] (January [459.28])
• IBM announces it is abandoning plans to develop its Power Personal Series line of PowerPC-based desktop PCs. [301.3] [381.11]
• Cyrix announces volume availability of the 110-MHz P133+ CX6x86 microprocessor, for US$326. [457.42] [460] [557.136]
• Cyrix announces volume availability of the 60/120-MHz P150+ CX6x86 microprocessor, for US$451. [457.42] [460] [473.10] [557.136]
• Cyrix announces limited availability of the 66/130-MHz P166+ CX6x86 microprocessor, for US$621. [457.42] [460] [473.10] [557.136]
• IBM ships OS/2 Warp Server. [305.8] [374.1]
• Apple Computer licenses the MacOS to Motorola. [381.11]

March

• Microsoft ships the 30 millionth copy of Windows 95. [452.53]
• 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] (February [521.13])
• Computer-maker CompuAdd shuts down operations. [436.53]
• Silicon Graphics buys Cray Research, at a cost of about US$765 million. [374.1] [458] [469.3] [749.69]
• Compaq Computer introduces the 180-MHz Pentium Pro-based Prolinea. [514.10]
• 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. [474.60] [62]
• 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. [62]
• MIPS Technologies ships the 200-MHz R10000 RISC microprocessor. [557.136]
• Microsoft launches Windows 95 in China. [781.41]
• China begins airing on TV the "educational" situation comedy show "My Computer Family". It is sponsored by Microsoft and Compaq. The show focuses on use of Microsoft products and presents the importance of intellectual property rights. [781.41]
• 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. [141] [557.136]
• 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. [463.6] [515.16]
• Iomega sells its 1-millionth Zip drive. [485.7]
• Digital Equipment unveils 366-MHz and 400-MHz versions of its Alpha microprocessor. [458.8]

April

• Hewlett-Packard begins shipping the HP LaserJet 5 line of laser printers. [516.31,86]
• IBM ships the 166-MHz PowerPC 604 processor. [557.136]
• IBM ships the 180-MHz PowerPC 604 processor. [557.136]
• Silicon Graphics completes its purchase of Cray Research, for US$764 million. [466.1]
• 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. [494.124]
• Advanced Micro Devices releases the 75-MHz AMD5K86-P75. [740.186]

May

• Netscape Communications releases Netscape Navigator 2.02. [553.24]
• IBM and Motorola ship the 200-MHz PowerPC 603e processor. [572.20]

June

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

April

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0. [553.24] (November 1995 [721.157])

June

• Intel introduces the 200-MHz Pentium processor, shipping it initially in small quantities. Price is US$599 in quantities of 1000. [523.6] [62] [557.136] [609.108]
• IBM begins shipping small quantities of its version of Cyrix' 150-MHz 6x86 processor. [495.32]
• Digital Equipment ships 366-MHz and 400-MHz versions of its Alpha 21164 microprocessor. [458.8] [557.136]
• 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. [575.36]
• Cyrix introduces the 6x86-P200+ processor. [523.6]
• 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. [141] [494.16] [524.131] [525.65]

July

• Caldera buys DR DOS from Novell. [478.3] [554.3] [570.19]
• Compaq Computer discontinues the ProLinea desktop computer line. [526.10]
• Digital Equipment begins shipping the 433-MHz Alpha 21164 processor. [496.16]
• Intel begins shipping the 200-MHz Pentium Pro with a 512-KB cache. [488.31]
• IBM ships the 225-MHz PowerPC 604e processor. [572.20]
• Apple Computer releases System 7.5.3 operating system for the Macintosh. [525.18]
• Visual Information Service Corp. signs an agreement to purchase the intellectual property and inventory of Amiga Technologies GmbH. [547.6]
• ESCOM AG (owner of Amiga Technologies) files for bankruptcy. [186]

August

• Microsoft releases Windows NT 4.0. [721.157] [779.42]
• Microsoft releases OEM Service Release 2 for Windows 95. [726.218] [721.157] (late in year [780.54])
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0. [553.1] [564.13] [576.45] [721.157]
• 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. [503.8] [62]
• Robert Frankenberg resigns as president and CEO of Novell. [554.1] [562.3] [564.13]
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the Vectra XW line of workstations. They are based on 200-MHz Pentium Pro processors and Windows NT Workstation operating systems. [554.25]

September

• Hewlett-Packard unveils the Vectra XM and Vectra VL series of Pentium-powered computers. [563.37]
• 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. [563.33]
• 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. [565.29] [571.18]
• Microsoft unveils Windows CE operating system for hand-held PCs. Code-name of the project was Pegasus. "CE" stands for Consumer Electronics. [565.32] [599.4]
• IBM launches OS/2 Warp 4, in San Francisco, California. Price is US$249. [566.94] [607.62] (October [573.109])
• The IBM Personal Computer Company releases the IBM Series 365, the first IBM PCs with an option for dual Intel processors. [571.10]

October

• Apple Computer introduces the PowerBook 1400 series. [739.130]
• Seagate Technology introduces the Cheetah ST19101 9.1 GB 10,000 RPM disc drive. [227]
• A group of disk drive and media manufacturers announce an agreement to produce CD-Rewritable drives and media. [574.22]
• Silicon Graphics introduces the O2 workstation. [749.70]
• Microsoft ships the Visual J++ Professional Edition development kit, for US$99. [573.21]
• Compaq Computer enters the workstation market with the announcement of the Professional Workstation line of Pentium Pro based systems. [586.30]

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. [587.25]
• 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). [604.139] [605.6]
• Adobe Systems ships the Persuasion 4.0 presentation program. [739.30]
• 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-matrix flat-panel LCD screen. [605.27]
• Microsoft unveils Microsoft Office 97 at Fall Comdex. Prices: standard edition US$499 (upgrade US$209), professional edition US$599 (upgrade US$309). [605.14]
• IBM shows a 300-MHz version of the PowerPC processor at Fall Comdex in Las Vegas, Nevada. [605.3]

December

• A New York jury awards US$5.3 million to a secretary who claims her wrists were injured by a Digital Equipment computer keyboard. [786.63]
• Apple Computer buys Steve Jobs' NeXT Software company for about US$425 million in cash and Apple stock. [616.16] [637.1] [763.26]

(month unknown)

• (January?) Intel begins shipping the 200-MHz Pentium Pro processor. [590.1]

(month unknown)

• (June?) NEC Electronics begins shipping its R4101 processor for personal digital assistants. The 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. [590.1]

(month unknown)

• (fall) At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced Micro Devices announces the K6 processor, optimized for 16- and 32-bit code, supporting MMX, and including 32KB cache memory. The chip will plug into a standard Pentium socket. [619.30]

(month unknown)

• (fall) At the Microprocessor Forum, Cyrix announces the M2 processor, optimized for 16- and 32-bit code, supporting MMX, and including 64KB cache memory. The chip will plug into a standard Pentium socket. [619.30]

(month unknown)

• (fall) At the Microprocessor Forum, Exponential Technology debuts the Exponential X704, a PowerPC compatible processor for the Macintosh OS and Windows NT microcomputers. [619.30]

(month unknown)

• (late) Microsoft ceases development of Windows NT for systems using MIPS processors. [779.42]

(month unknown)

• Micro Express ships the MicroHex-686/100, the first computer using the Cyrix 6x86 microprocessor. [431.54]

(month unknown)

• Advanced Micro Designs discontinues the NexGen Nx586 processor. [434.36]

(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. [598.14]

1997

January

• Silicon Graphics introduces the Octane workstation. [749.71]

February

• Microsoft ceases development of Windows NT for systems using PowerPC processors. [779.42]

April

• Microsoft announces plans to buy WebTV Networks for US$425 million. The United States Justice Department begins a review of the merger. [616.21] [775]

May

• Digital Equipment files a lawsuit against Intel, claiming infringement of 10 Digital Equipment patents related to the Alpha RISC microprocessor in Intel's Pentium Pro and Pentium II processors. [636.3] [672.6]
• Apple Computer announces it will spin off its Newton Systems Group into a subsidiary company. [739.40]
• Microsoft releases Service Pack 3 for Windows NT 4.0. [743.48]

June

• Apple Computer and its Macintosh OS licensees agree to change Apple Computer's Macintosh OS fee from about US$50 to US$150-350 per system, depending on processor speed. [764.36]
• Steve Jobs sells 1.5 million shares of Apple Computer stock, that he received in December as part of Apple Computer's purchase of his NeXT Software. [616.16]
• Microsoft invests US$1 billion in ComCast, a venture to provide speedy web access via cable lines. [616.21]
• First 250-MHz PowerPC 604e processors are shipped. [739.97]
• Compaq Computer buys Tandem Computer Inc. for US$3 billion. [635.1] [672.38] [722.18]

July

• Gilbert Amelio resigns as president, CEO, and chairman of Apple Computers. [616.21] [670.3] [672.38] [762.48] [763.26] [764.31]
• Apple Computer releases the Mac OS 8.0. for US$99. [749.4]

August

• Motorola announces the StarMax 6000 Macintosh-compatible systems t Macworld Expo. [666.6] [739.29]
• Steve Jobs begins designing what would become the iMac. [762]
• Steve Jobs announces an investment of US$150 million from Microsoft. [763.24]
• The US Department of Justice approves Microsoft's purchase of WebTV Networks. [775]
• International Data Group and Ziff-Davis form Mac Publishing, to consolidate MacUser into MacWorld magazine, and continue MacWeek. [764.38]
• Microsoft announces it will continue writing Macintosh software. [762.47]

September

• IBM announces that IBM Microelectronics will cease licensing the Macintosh OS. [739.30]
• Apple Computer announces it will not spin off its Newton Systems Group as it had announced in May. [739.40]
• Adobe Systems discontinues Persuasion. [739.30]
• Microsoft releases a beta test of Windows NT 5.0 at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference. [730.68]
• Quote by Aberdeen Group Inc.'s research analyst Mark Peabody: "The only influence Netscape has is with the web heads who are coding at 2 o-clock in the morning with 10 Cokes in front of them.". [670.1]
• Steve Jobs is named interim CEO of Apple Computer. [672.38]
• Apple Computer buys Power Computing's Macintosh operating system license for US$100 million in common stock. Power Computing will cease sales of Macintosh systems as of December 31. [739.29] [764.30]
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. [800.57]
• Motorola announces it is leaving the Macintosh market. [739.29]

October

• Motorola exits from the Macintosh-compatible market. [666.6]
• Intel and Digital Equipment settle their lawsuits with a ten-year patent license agreement, among other things. [674.1]
• The U.S. justice department asks a federal court to hold Microsoft in contempt because it may be forcing PC makers to distribute Internet Explorer as a condition of selling Windows 95. Microsoft is formally charged with violating the terms of the 1995 Final Judgement. [674.16] [765.15] [775]

November

• Sun Microsystems sues Microsoft over Microsoft's use and alleged abuse of the Java specification in Internet Explorer 4.0. [775]
• Seagate Technology ships its 100 millionth disc drive, a Seagate Medalist 2.5 GB 3.5-inch hard drive. The drive is presented to the Tech Museum of Innovation in California. [227]
• Sun Microsystems takes legal action against Microsoft for shipping Internet Explorer 4.0 with a non-standard implementation of the Java programming language. [674.16] [756.12]

December

• US District Judge Thomas Jackson issues a preliminary injunction against Microsoft, requiring Microsoft to allow Windows 95 licensees the option of not including Internet Explorer. [756.12] [765.15] [775]

(month unknown)

• Compaq ships the 4000N NetPC. [700.7]

1998

January

• Compaq Computer announces its intent to buy Digital Equipment for US$9.6 billion. [757.6] [787.30]
• Eklektix begins electronic (web) publishing of Linux Weekly News. [774]
• Netscape makes source code for Netscape Communicator 5.0 browser available for free download on the Internet. [798.9]
• Netscape lays off about 400 employees. [784.34]
• Intel releases the 333-MHz Pentium II, with a 66 MHz bus. [798.29]

(month unknown)

• (February?) Apple Computer ceases development of its Newton operating system and Newton OS-based products. [768.6]

April

• Intel releases the 350-MHz and 400-MHz Pentium II processors, with 100-MHz memory interface. [798.29]

May

• The US Department of Justice and 20 state attorneys general file antitrust lawsuits against Microsoft, regarding its marketing of Internet Explorer. [765] [784.31]
• Microsoft applies for, and receives, a stay of the December 1997 court order allowing Windows 98 to ship with Internet Explorer 4. [765.17]
• Microsoft ships Windows 98 to OEMs. [756.12]
• Apple Computer announces the iMac. [762]

June

• Intel announces the Pentium II Xeon processor. [799.35]
• Microsoft releases Windows 98. [797.12]

August

• The Apple Computer iMac becomes available at retail outlets. [793.4]

September

• A class-action lawsuit is filed against Iomega regarding a clicking noise in Zip drives that can cause damage to the drives and disks. The phenomenon is known as the "Click of Death". [790.9]
• Symantec recalls all copies of its Norton Uninstall Deluxe products from stores, following a court ruling concluding the software infringes on copyright of source code in Network Associates' McAfee's Uninstaller. [789.10]
• Sun Microsystems announces a SunPCi co-processor card for Sun workstations. SunPCi uses a 300-MHz AMD K6-2 processor, runs Windows 95 or 98, and fits in a PCI slot. [791.8]
• Microsoft becomes the world's most valuable company, at US$261.1 billion. Microsoft and General Electric were both valued at over US$300 billion in July, but Microsoft survived a stock market plunge better, putting it on top. [792.10]

(month unknown)

• (September/October) Sun Microsystems releases the Solaris 7.0 operating system. [789.8]

November

• SyQuest Technology suspends its operations, though not declaring bankruptcy. [789.6]
• Red Hat Linux 5.2 is released. [774]
• LinuxPPC 5.0, Linux for the PowerPC, is announced. [774]
• America Online buys Netscape Communications for US$4.2 billion in stock. [788.1]

End of 1995+ - Confusion