1989

• Intel introduces the 20-MHz 80386SX microprocessor. Speed is 2.5 MIPS.
• Commodore announces that 1 million Amiga computers have been sold.
• Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh SE/30, with MS-DOS and OS/2 disk compatibility. It uses a 16-MHz 68030 processor, and comes with 4-MB RAM and 1.4 MB SuperDrive floppy drive, for US$4370. Price with an 80 MB hard drive is US$6500.
• Digital Equipment introduces its first RISC-based workstation, the DECstation 3100, using the 16.7-MHz R2000 MIPS Technologies processor.
• Microsoft releases Quick Pascal, designed to compete with Borland International's Turbo Pascal.

• Dolch Computer Systems ships their 25-MHz 386 portable system. It features 4MB RAM, 40MB hard drive, 64K cache, 640x400 electroluminescent flat-panel display, 1.2MB 5 1/4-inch drive, SCSI I/O port, for US$9495.
• Santa Cruz Operations announces the Open Desktop user interface for 80386-based UNIX systems.

• The AmiExpo trade show for Amiga computers is held in New York City.
• At the AmiExpo trade show, Micro Momentum introduces The Journeyman, a portable Amiga computer.
• Apple Computer introduces its Macintosh IIcx. It features a 16-MHz 68030 processor, 1 MB RAM, 1.4 MB SuperDrive, and 40 MB hard drive, for US$5370.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 4.0 for the Macintosh.
• A judge rules that Microsoft Windows 2.03 is not covered in the Apple Computer / Microsoft 1985 agreement. This allows the issue to proceed to trial, in the suit of Apple Computer against Microsoft filed in March 1988.
• Commodore ships the one millionth Amiga computer.

• VCPI becomes an accepted industry standard for 80386-specific software.
• The VESA graphics standard emerges, providing a uniform method of accessing SuperVGA chipsets.
• Microsoft ships SQL Server.
• Intel announces the 25-MHz 486 microprocessor at Spring Comdex in Chicago, Illinois. It integrates the 386, 387 math coprocessor, and adds an 8KB primary cache. It uses 1.2 million transistors, employing 1-micron technology. Initial price is US$900. Speed is 20 MIPS.
• Intel introduces the 33-MHz version of the 80386DX microprocessor and 80387 math co-processor. This version of the 387 incorporates new technology, making it inherantly faster than previous 387 chips.
• Motorola announces the 68040 microprocessor. It uses about 1.2 million transistors.
• Motorola announces the 50-MHz version of the 68030 microprocessor.

• Microsoft releases Microsoft Word 5.0 for DOS.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel 2.2 for the Macintosh. It can handle spreadsheets up to 8 MB in size.
• Hewlett-Packard buys workstation maker Apollo Computer for US$476 million.
• Solbourne Computers Incorporated is the first to announce a line of SPARC-based Sun-compatible computers.
• Apple Computer announces details of the System 7.0 Macintosh operating system.

• IBM introduces the Office Vision system. It took 4000 man-years of work costing US$1 billion to produce.
• Apple Computer announces AppleTalk Phase 2.
• Claris releases AppleWorks 3.0.
• Lotus Development releases Lotus 1-2-3 3.0 for MS-DOS, two years after its initial announcement.
• Apricot Computers announces the first 486-based PC, in London, England. The VX FT system uses the 25-MHz Intel 80486 chip, IBM's MCA bus, and is priced starting at US$18,000.

• Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 2.2 for MS-DOS.
• AmiEXPO is held in Chicago, Illinois.
• AT&T and Intel sign an agreement to produce 386-based PCs.

• Spectrum Digital Systems releases TrueForm for the Macintosh.
• Outbound demonstrates the Wallaby, code-name for a Mac-compatible portable computer.

• Apple Computer introduces 1.4MB floppy drives for the Macintosh.
• Atari introduces the Atari TT, featuring a 16-MHz 68030 processor, 2MB RAM, a 3.5-inch floppy drive, and a built-in genlock device.
• Apple Computer and Microsoft announces an alliance to develop a new font standard, TrueType, and page-description language TrueImage.
• Apple Computer announces the Macintosh Portable, featuring a 16-MHz Motorola 68000 CMOS processor, 1 MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive, and 1.4 MB SuperDrive, for US$6500.
• Apple Computer announces the Macintosh IIci, featuring a 25-MHz 68030 processor, 4 MB RAM, 80 MB hard drive, and 1.4 MB SuperDrive, for about US$8700.
• IBM releases OS/2 1.2.
• Hewlett-Packard ships NewWave for Windows.
• Hewlett-Packard announces a US$3990 UNIX workstation based on the Motorola 68030.
• NeXT ships the first NeXT Computer systems.
• NeXT releases NextStep v1.0.

• France's Groupe Bull buys Zenith Data Systems for US$511 million.
• Microsoft releases Microsoft Excel for OS/2's Presentation Manager. It is the first major application available for PM.
• Cyrix introduces the FasMath 83D87 math coprocessor, pin-compatible with Intel's 387.
• The AmiExpo trade show for Amiga computers is held in Santa Clara, California.
• Compaq Computer introduces its first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE. It weighs under seven pounds.
• Byte by Byte releases Sculpt 4-D for the Macintosh, for US$1500.
• SPEC releases version 1.0 of its SPEC Benchmark Suite.
• IBM signs a deal with NeXT to license the NextStep operating system, for US$10 million.

• Weitek introduces the Weitek 4167 math coprocessor chip as an enhancement to Intel's 486 CPU.
• WordPerfect ships WordPerfect 5.1 for US$500.
• An exhibition of videographics and electronic paintings is held at the Cogburn Gallery on the University of Vermont's Burlington campus. The works were all generated on an Amiga 1000.
• At fall Comdex, IBM strongly endorses Windows for low end PCs, and Microsoft publicly endorses OS/2 as the future platform for higher-end PCs. IBM and Microsoft agree to jointly develop a consistent, full-range of systems software.
• Borland International releases the Quattro Pro 2.0 spreadsheet program.
• Compaq Computer introduces its first server PC, the Compaq Systempro. This is also the first EISA PC.
• Commodore announces the Amiga 2500/30. It is essentially an Amiga 2000 with a 2630 Accelerator Board (25-MHz 68030 and 68882 math coprocessor).

• Lotus Development ships Lotus Notes.
• IBM demonstrates its new line of RISC System/6000 workstations.
• Xerox files a lawsuit challenging the validity of Apple Computer's copyrights covering the Lisa and Macintosh computers' graphical user interface. Xerox claims Apple Computer copied the Xerox Star system interface.
• Microsoft ships Word for Windows 1.0.

• Apple Computer releases 32-bit QuickDraw for the Macintosh.

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

• The AmiExpo trade show for Amiga computers is held in Chicago, Illinois.

• Intel unveils the i860 RISC processor. It is the first microrprocessor capable of executing two instructions per clock cycle.

• Intel releases the i960CA, a true superscalar microprocessor, capable of executing two instructions at once.

• Samna introduces Ami Pro for Windows.

• Intel begins production of the 80486 microprocessor.

• MSC Technologies changes its name back to Mouse Systems Corporation.

• Hitachi sues Motorola, claiming the 68030 infringes on patents on Hitachi's H-8.

• Quote from a Lotus Development official, while demoing a new DOS version of Lotus 1-2-3: "We don't see Windows as a long-term graphical interface for the masses.".

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

• SPARC International is formed.

• Informix releases the WingZ spreadsheet for the Macintosh.

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

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

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

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

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

• Atari Computer introduces the Portfolio, a 1-pound DOS-based PC. It uses a 4.92-MHz 80C88 processor, 240x64 resolution screen, and runs on three AA batteries. Price: US$400.

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

• MicroPro International changes its name to WordStar International.

• Linus discontinues the WriteTop pen-based microcomputer.

• Hayes Microcomputer Products buys modem competitor Practical Peripherals.

• Texas Instruments wins official recognition in Japan of its patents on integrated circuits of almost 30 years ago.

• Apple Corps files a lawsuit against Apple Computer, charging Apple Computer with violating its 1991 agreement not to market audio/video products.

• Photonics ships Photolink for the Apple Macintosh.

GO BACK