1983

• Dynalogic Corporation begins shipping the Hyperion microcomputer.
• The Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Texas Instruments introduces the TI 99/2, using the TI-9995 16-bit microprocessor, 4.2KB RAM, 24KB ROM, 16-color graphics. Price is US$100.
• Spectra Video introduces the SV318 microcomputer. It features 32KB RAM and 32KB ROM, for US$300.
• Extex introduces the 2000 Piggyback Computer, a keyboard add-on for the Atari 2600, with 8KB BASIC and 3KB RAM, for US$100.
• Apple Computer officially unveils the Lisa computer. It features a 5-MHz 68000 microprocessor, 1MB RAM, 2MB ROM, a 12-inch B/W monitor, 720x364 graphics, dual 5.25-inch 860KB floppy drives, and a 5MB Profile hard drive. It is slow, but innovative. Its initial price is US$10,000. The Lisa is based on the Xerox Star System, and cost Apple Computer US$50 million to develop. It is the first personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The software for it cost Apple Computer US$100 million to develop. "Lisa" stands for Local Integrated Software Architecture. During its lifetime, 100,000 units are produced.
• Dynalogic becomes a division of Bytec.
• Bytec begins shipping the Hyperion portable computer, developed by Dynalogic.
• AT&T announces Unix System V.
• Mattel shows the Intellivision III at the Consumer Electronics Show.
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple IIe. It features 64KB RAM, Applesoft BASIC, upper/lower case keyboard, seven expansion slots, 40x24 and 80x24 text, 1-MHz 6502 processor, up to 560x192 graphics, 140KB 5.25-inch floppy drive, Apple DOS 3.3, for US$1400.
• Apple Computer releases the Apple Letter Quality Printer, for US$2200. It is a modified Qume printer.
• VisiCorp (formerly Personal Software) sues Software Arts over rights to VisiCalc.
• Mattel Electronics demonstrates the Aquarius computer at the Winter CES. It has 4KB RAM, and a Z80A microprocessor. It is expected to sell for US$200.
• Timex introduces the Timex/Sinclair 2000, which is their re-packaged Sinclair Spectrum for the North American market. Price is US$149 for a 16KB model.
• Atari introduces the 1200XL home computer, with 64KB RAM, and 256 color capability. Price: US$900.
• A full-page ad by Media Distributing offers a 44MB hard drive for US$4400; 22MB for US$3600; 11MB for US$2700.
• Commodore's sales of VIC-20s reaches 1,000,000.
• Commodore introduces the SX-64, the first color portable computer. Weight is 10.5 kg. It incorporates a 5-inch color monitor and one or two 5.25 inch floppy drive. Price is US$1600.
• Time magazine selects the microcomputer as its "Man" of the Year.
• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 1.0 for MS-DOS. US$1 million was spent on promoting the release. It requires 256KB of RAM, more than any microcomputer program at the time. Jonathan Sachs was the programmer, with Mitch Kapor as the software designer.
• Ziff-Davis begins publishing A+ magazine for Apple Computer products.

• Microsoft establishes a sibsidiary company in West Germany.

• Compaq Computer begins shipping the Compaq Portable PC.
• Radio Shack announces its TRS-80 Model 100 portable Computer. It uses an 80c85 processor, and is based on the NEC PC-8201, which is built by Kyoto Ceramics (Kyocera). It features 40x8 text, 240x64 graphics, and runs on four AA alkaline batteries, powering it for about 20 hours. Price is US$800 for 8KB version, or US$1000 for the 24KB version.
• IBM announces the IBM PC XT. It adds a 10 MB hard drive, three more expansion slots, and a serial interface. With 128KB RAM and a 360KB floppy drive, it costs US$5000.
• MS-DOS 2.0 for PCs is announced. It was written from scratch, supporting 10 MB hard drives, a tree-structured file system, and 360 KB floppy disks.
• Microsoft creates a publishing division, Microsoft Press.
• The Eagle 1600, the first 8086-based PC, ships.

• Microsoft introduces XENIX 3.0.
• Vector Graphic fires Frederick Snow, with Lore Harp taking over again.
• Microsoft introduces Multi-Tool Word for DOS (later renamed Microsoft Word) word processing program at Spring Comdex in Atlanta, Georgia.
• John Sculley is hired at Apple Computer as Chief Operating Officer.
• Microsoft gives a "smoke-and-mirrors" demonstration of Interface Manager (later called Windows), which consists entirely of overlapping windows, appearing to be running programs simultaneously.
• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 Release 1.0A.

• Philips buys out Stephen Dorsey's remaining 20% ownership of Micom Data Systems.
• The National Computer Conference is held in Anaheim, California.
• Fujitsu shows off first production of 256Kbit memory chips.
• Sony Electronics announces the 3.5 inch floppy disk and drive, double-sided, double-density, holding up to 1MB.
• Microsoft France opens its first office, in Paris, France.
• Sord introduces the M5 Fun Computer, and the M5 MultiComputer. Both Both feature a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, 8KB ROM, 4KB RAM, keyboard, serial/parallel/cassette ports, and two game controllers, for US$200.
• Sord announces the M23 computer, featuring a Z80 processor, 128KB RAM, two disk drives, 640x256 8-color graphics, for US$2200.
• Toshiba announces a portable version of the T100 computer, with 64KB RAM, 40x8 LCD screen, modem, and briefcase, for US$1100.
• Toshiba announces the T300 computer, featuring a 16-bit processor, 650x500 8-color graphics, 192KB RAM, 640KB floppy disk drives, seven expansion slots, and IBM PC software compatibility, for US$2500.
• Sharp introduces the PC-5000 computer, featuring a 16-bit Intel 8088 processor, 128KB RAM, 80x8 LCD, 640x80 graphics, and weighing 11 pounds.
• Commodore ships the Commodore Executive 64. It features 64KB RAM, detachable keyboard, 5-inch color monitor, 170KB floppy drive, for US$1000.
• Anderson Jacobson introduces the AJ Passport portable computer, with 256KB RAM, one or two floppy drives, serial/parallel ports, 300-baud modem, 640x250 graphics, and 7-inch amber display. [529.192]
• Computer Devices shows the Dot computer, with 16-bit Intel 8088 processor, 128KB RAM, Sony 3.5-inch floppy drive, integrated 9-inch green or amber monitor, 1056x254 graphics, and two serial ports, for US$3000.
• NCR introduces the Decision Mate V computers, with Zilog Z80 processor, optional Intel 8088 processor, and monochrome or color display, for US$2650-3440.
• Honeywell introduces the microSystem 6/10 microcomputer. It is compatible with Honeywell's DPS 6 mainframe family. It ises LSI 6 and Intel 8086 processors, 128KB RAM, dual 5.25-inch drives, display, keyboard, and I/O ports for US$4000.
• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 4, with 4-MHz Zilog Z80A microprocessor, 16KB RAM, cassette or 180KB 5.25-inch floppy drives, keyboard, 80x24 text 12-inch B/W monitor, optional CP/M, speaker, for US$2000.
• Microsoft introduces its first mouse, "The Microsoft Mouse", including card and software, for US$200.
• Gavilan introduces the Gavilan Mobile Computer, a full-function portable computer. It features a 16-bit Intel 8088, 80KB RAM, 3-inch microfloppy drive, 66x8 LCD screen, touch pad, keyboard, 300-baud modem, and I/O ports.

• Microsoft quote: "We have a long-term relationship with IBM and have solid plans involving PC-DOS."
• The one millionth Apple II is made.
• Apple Computer begins shipping the Lisa.
• Intel quote: "Accessing memory using a segmented architecture holds many advantages over the earlier linear-addressing method."
• Mattel announces the scrapping of plans for the Intellivision III.
• Mattel announces the Entertainment Computer System.
• The Summer Consumer Electronics Show is held, in Chicago, Illinois.
• Coleco announces the Coleco Adam, at the Summer CES. The Adam is a Z80-based computer with 80-column SmartWriter daisy wheel printer, two game controllers, 80KB RAM (64KB user RAM, 16KB video RAM), 3 sound channels, 16 color graphics, compatibility with ColecoVision games, 4 MC6801 microprocessors controlling operation of peripherals, full keyboard, and 512KB tape-cartridge device, for US$600.
• Spectra Video shows the SV-328 at the Summer CES. It is like the SV-318, but with a full-stroke keyboard, cursor keys, and 32KB RAM.
• Atari shows The Graduate at the Summer CES. It is an add on computer for the Atari 2600 VCS game unit. It features 8KB RAM, keyboard, 16KB ROM with BASIC, and various I/O interfaces.
• Rabbit Computer shows the Rabbit RX83 at the Summer CES. It features a Z80A processor, 2KB RAM, keyboard, and 256x192 resolution 8-color graphics.
• Tomy shows the Tomy Tutor microcomputer at the Summer CES. It features 16-color 256x192 graphics, 32x24 text, 16KB RAM, 32KB ROM, three sound channels, for US$150.
• Video Technology shows a prototype Laser 2001, compatible with ColecoVision and Atari VCS cartridges. It features 16KB ROM, 64KB RAM, 256x192 graphics, four channel sound, and I/O interfaces.
• Video Technology shows the Laser 3000, an Apple II workalike microcomputer. It features 24KB ROM, 64KB RAM, 81-key keyboard, 80-column text display, 560x192 graphics, four sound channels, and I/O interfaces.
• Unitronics shows the Sonic, an Apple II workalike microcomputer. It uses a TI video display processor chip, 48KB RAM, and built-in wafertape drive.
• Taiwan Happy Home Computer Company shows the Multi-System microcomputer, compatible with both the Apple II and the IBM PC.
• NEC shows the PC-8201 portable computer for the first time in the US.
• Casio shows the FP-200 portable, with 20x8 LCD display, 8KB RAM, and I/O interfaces.

• Apple Computer officially begins marketing the Lisa computer.
• Tom Mack releases the first version of RBBS for MS-DOS, the first shareware program for running a BBS.
• AT&T Bell Labs designs C++.
• Steve Wozniak returns to Apple Computer.

• Jon Shirley replaces James Towne as president of Microsoft.
• A US federal appeals court judge rules that Franklin Computers did violate Apple Computer copyrights on computer programs and the Apple Computer operating system in ROM.

• Osborne Computer Corp. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
• Microsoft France releases Multiplan for the Apple II.

• Atari begins shipping its XL computers.
• Visi Corp releases VisiOn, an integrated software environment for PCs, for US$1795.
• Coleco begins shipping the Adam.
• National Semiconductor ships samples of its 6-MHz 32-bit NS32032 microprocessor.
• IBM introduces PC-DOS 2.1 with the IBM PCjr.
• IBM announces the IBM 3270 PC, an 8088-based system, for US$4290.
• IBM announces the IBM PC-XT Model 370, with 8088 CPU, 768K RAM, 360K drive, and 10 MB hard drive for US$9000.
• Quote from Spinnaker Software chairman William Bowman: "We're just sitting here trying to put our PCjrs in a pile and burn them. And the damn things won't burn. That's the only thing IBM did right with it - they made it flameproof.".
• Tandy/Radio Shack announces the "transportable" TRS-80 Model 4P, for US$1800. It features a 4-MHz Zilog Z80A CPU, 64KB RAM, two 5.25-inch floppy drives, and 9-inch B/W screen.
• Compaq Computer introduces the Portable Plus.
• Texas Instruments withdraws from the personal computer market.

• Microsoft formally announces Microsoft Windows, at the Plaza Hotel in New York. It is promised for release in April, 1984.
• Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 3.0 for US$500.
• Satellite Software International ships Personal WordPerfect for US$200.
• Borland International releases Turbo Pascal for CP/M and 8086-based computers.
• IBM announces the IBM PCjr, using Intel's 8088, for US$700 for the bare configuration. Code name during development was Peanut.
• Quote from Sierra On-Line founder and president, Ken Williams: "the PCjr is bound to be around for a while".
• Microsoft again shows Windows to IBM, and again IBM is not interested.
• Microsoft officially releases Microsoft Word 1.0, for US$375, or US$475 with the Microsoft Mouse.

• Apple Computer introduces the redesigned Apple III as the Apple III+, for US$3000.
• Apple Computer releases the Apple ImageWriter for US$695. It is a modified C.Itoh printer.
• Apple unveils the new Macintosh to the press.
• 20th Century Fox Videogames abandons the videogame business.
• Compaq Computer makes its first public stock offering, raising US$67 million.
• Vernon Buerg releases the first version of List, a popular file-browsing utility for MS-DOS.
• In an obscure television market somewhere on the Great Plains, Apple Computer runs its "1984" Macintosh ad, solely to make the ad eligible for awards during 1984.

• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Pocket Computer, Model PC-4, replacing the PC-1, for US$70.

• Nelma Data Corporation introduces the Persona microcomputer. It features a 4-MHz Z80A, CP/M 2.3, 64KB RAM, dual single-sided 5.25-inch floppy drives, for $3000.

• Apple Computer's Steve Jobs offers IBM's Don Estridge the position of president of Apple Computer, for US$1 million per year, US$1 million signing bonus, and US$2 million to buy a house. Don Estridge turns it down.

• Starcom releases Dragon's Lair to arcade centers. It is the first laser-disc based arcade game.

• Tandy releases the TRS-80 Model 2000, which uses the Intel 80186 microprocessor.

• Atari ceases production of the Atari 5200.

• Atari cancels production of the Atari 1200XL, due to compatibility and other problems.

• Hewlett-Packard begins design work on Precision Architecture.

• Quote by Apple Computer's Mike Markkula to Steve Jobs, on seeing the "1984" Macintosh TV ad: "You mean you really want to show this?".

• Microsoft marketeer Rowland Hanson convinces Bill Gates to change the name of Interface Manager to Windows.

• Seymour Rubenstein resigns from MicroPro International.

• IBM and Microsoft begin co-developing OS/2.

• Dan Silva and others leave Xerox, to form Electronic Arts.

• Texas Instruments drops plans to market the TI 99/2.

• The CP/M '83 Show is held in San Francisco, California.

• Radio Shack unveils the TRS-80 Model 12 at the CP/M '83 Show. It features a Zilog Z80A processor, 80KB RAM, 82-key keyboard, 1.25MB floppy drive, and software compatibility with the TRS-80 Model II. Price is US$3200.

• Frankline shows an operating Franklin Ace 1200 Apple II compatible at the CP/M '83 Show. It features an 8-bit processor, 128KB RAM, color display, upper/lower-case keyboard, 143KB floppy drive, CP/M card, 80-column text card, for US$2200.

• In its first year, Compaq Computer sells 47,000 computers, worth US$111 million.

• Digital Research introduces enhanced CP/M-86 for the IBM PC. It includes a printer spooler, and improved graphics.

• Mattel introduces the Aquarius computer, with 4KB RAM, 8KB ROM, Z80A processor, 40x24 text output to a TV, 80x72 block graphics, in 16 colors. Price is US$160.

• George Tate, of Ashton-Tate, buys all rights to dBase II from Wayne Ratcliff, and hires him as head of development for dBase III.

• (1982?) IBM's Austin Laboratory begins project Olympiad, to develop a scientific workstation based on the ROMP microprocessor.

• Iomega introduces the Bernoulli Box storage device.

• Texas Instruments introduces the Compact Computer 40 (CC-40). It uses the 8-bit TMS 70C20 processor, 6KB RAM, 34KB ROM with BASIC, and 31x1 LCD display. It rnus on four AA batteries, lasting up to 200 hours.

• Syquest introduces its SyQuest storage cartridge system to the PC market.

• Digital Research releases its first version of GEM.

• Borland International is founded by Philippe Kahn.

• Microsoft shows IBM a raw version of Windows. IBM is not interested as they are already developing what would be called TopView.

• Novell introduces the NetWare network operating system for the IBM PC.

• Wang announces the single in-line memory module (SIMM).

• Hewlett-Packard unveils the HP 150 microcomputer. It features an 9-MHz Intel 8088 microprocessor, dual 3.5-inch disk drives, 9-inch green HPTouch optical touchscreen, 256KB RAM, and 512x390 graphics. Code-name during development was Magic.

• Philips and Sony develop the CD-ROM, as an extension of audio CD technology.

• Bjarn Stroustrup creates the C++ extension to the C programming language.

• Morrow Designs introduces the Morrow Micro Decision microcomputer. It features a 4-MHz Zilog Z80A microprocessor, 64KB RAM, two serial ports, 200KB 5.25-inch floppy drive, CP/M v2.2, and separate video terminal.

• Microsoft, SpectraVideo, and 14 Japanese computer companies announce the MSX specifications for low-end, 8-bit home computers systems.

• STM Electronics introduces the Pied Piper Communicator 1 portable computer. It features a Zilog Z80 processor, 64KB RAM, 5.25-inch disk drive, six software packages, and 80x24 text on monitor or TV, for US$1300.

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