- (month unknown)
- UK-based Amstrad announces the Amstrad Notepad NC100, using a Z80 processor, 64 kB static RAM, PCMCIA 2.0 slot, 80 column by 8 row supertwist LCD screen. It weighs 2 pounds, and costs 170 Pounds Sterling (about US$300) [759.62]
- A study by the United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive concludes that pregnant women are at no greater risk than non-pregnant women by using video display units. [759.38]
- Silicon Graphics and the OpenGL Architecture Review Board officially release the OpenGL 1.0 Specification. [867.13]
- Tandy introduces the Video Information System (VIS) multimedia player. It features CD-ROM drive, CD audio player, infrared remote controller, and audio/video output to a television set. Microsoft announces it is developing a ROM version of Modular Windows for it. Tandy will license the VIS format to other drive manufacturers. VIS players by Zenith and Radio Shack are expected to be priced at about US$700. [1572.40]
- August 10
- The second annual Silicon Valley Personal Computer Design Conference is held, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California. [954.20]
- August
- Microsoft releases the Money 2.0 software. [1701.352]
- Intel introduces the 33/66 MHz i486DX2 microprocessor. Performance is 54 MIPS, or 34.0 SPECint89. [62] [955.4]
- U.S. District Court Judge Paul Brown rules that Cyrix is immune from Intel's patent infringement claims, because the Cyrix FasMath math coprocessor is manufactured by SGS-Thompson, which has a patent cross-license agreement with Intel. [955.1] [969]
- US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker rejects Apple Computer's request to reconsider his April ruling in the Apple Computer versus Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard lawsuit. [712.51] [759.34]
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- Microsoft releases MS-DOS 6 to 2,000 beta testers. [748.29]
- Apple Computer introduces the PowerBook 145, replacing the PowerBook 140. It features a backlit supertwist LCD display, 25 MHz 68030 processor, System 7 operating system, 4 MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive, and weighs 6.8 pounds. Price is US$2149. [46] [75] [423.113] [578.201] (Price: US$2399 [759.53])
- The number of users of Apple Computer's System 7 reaches 4 million. [46]
- The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) approves the first version of a local-bus standard for personal computer systems. [545.358] [760.52]
- Compaq Computer introduces its first printer, the Compaq Pagemarq. [113]
- August (month)
- Top selling MS-DOS computer game in the USA during the month: Links. [1533.208]
- Top selling Amiga computer game in the USA during the month: Civilization. [1533.208]
- Top selling Macintosh computer game in the USA during the month: Sim City Supreme. [1533.208]
- (month unknown)
- Chips & Technologies announces it is abandoning further development of x86 microprocessors, but it will continue to market its Super386DX processor. [955.4]
- Commodore Business Machines introduces the Amiga 600: 4096 colors, stereo sound, full pre-emptive multitasking operating system (Workbench 2.05), PCMCIA slot, Motorola 68000 CPU, for a base price of $500. [361.40]
- Apple Computer demonstrates its speech-recognition technology, code-named Casper. [712.272]
- September 9
- Universal Pictures releases the film Sneakers to theaters in the USA.
- A complete personal computer can be seen in an office.
- A Multisync monitor displays a Windows VEditor application.
- A small laptop computer is seen on a desk.
[2281]
- September 12
- Electronic Arts announces it will acquire Origin Systems. [1490.40] [1532.176] [1533.210] [2583.114]
- September
- Linus Torvalds releases the 0.98 version of his Unix-like operating system (Linux). [1601.9]
- At IBM, the first silicon copy of the PowerPC 601 processor is made. [746.72] (August [957])
- Intel announces OverDrive processors for 486DX systems. The OverDrive processor is the same as a clock-doubled processor (486DX2-50 or 486DX2-66) but with a heat sink, retail packaging, and list of systems certified upgradeable. Price for 25 MHz systems is US$599; price for 33 MHz is US$799. [696.36] [956]
- Borland International ships Quattro Pro for Windows, release 1.0. Price is US$495. [548.159] [697.99] [1058.40] [1360.39] (October [1049.147])
- Apple Computer launches the Performa Line, designed for mass merchandisers and superstores. The Performa 600 features a 32 MHz Motorola MC68030 processor, socket for 68882 FPU, three NuBus slots, 160 MB hard drive, accelerator slot, SuperDrive 3.5-inch floppy drive, 4 MB RAM, and 512 kB video RAM. [46] [75] [577.111] [578.206] [759.52]
- Apple Computer renames the Macintosh LC II the Performa 400. [577.111] [759.52]
- Apple Computer renames the Macintosh Classic II the Performa 200. [577.111] [759.52]
- IBM creates the IBM Personal Computer Company. [361.58] [618.323] [1312]
- VESA announces the VL-Bus for PC systems. [957.1]
- IBM delivers first working prototypes of the PowerPC 601 processor. [881.81]
- Apple Computer receives its first PowerPC 601 processor for testing. [584.173]
- IBM introduces the 20/40 MHz and 25/50 MHz 486SLC2 microprocessors. They feature a 16 kB cache and optimized instruction set, but no internal math coprocessor, and only a 16-bit data path. [477.129] (October, 486SLC [696.125])
- NeXT ships NeXTSTEP v3.0 operating system. [206.289] [2605.212]
- Intel introduces the 33 MHz i486SX microprocessor. Speed is 27 MIPS Price is US$189 each for 1000. [62] [696.36,125] [957]
- September (month)
- Top selling MS-DOS computer game in the USA during the month: Falcon 3.0 Operation Fighting Tiger. [2305.192]
- Top selling Amiga computer game in the USA during the month: Civilization. [2305.192]
- Top selling Macintosh computer game in the USA during the month: Sim City Supreme. [2305.192]
- (month unknown)
- Intel introduces the iCOMP (Intel COmparative Microprocessor Performance) composite metric comparing processor performance. [957.3]
- Advanced Micro Devices releases its 40 MHz 386SX processor. Price is US$43 in 1000 unit quantities. [957]
- October 5
- IBM Personal Computer introduces the IBM ThinkPad line of laptop computers. The ThinkPad 300 (made by Zenith Data Systems) features a 25 MHz 386SL processor. The ThinkPad 700 features monochrome 9.5-inch display, 25 MHz 486SLC, 6.5 pounds weight, nickel-metal-hydride battery good for about 3.75 hours, 80/120 hard drive, 4 MB RAM. The ThinkPad 700C features 25 MHz 486SLC, 7.5 pounds weight, Microchannel bus, 10.3-in TFT active-matrix VGA color, nickel-metal-hydride battery good for about 2-3 hours use, DOS 5.0, price about US$4000, TrackPoint II integrated pointing device, 4 MB RAM, removable 120 MB hard drive, size is 11.5 x 8.25 x 2.25 inches. The ThinkPad 700T was previously called ThinkPad. [75] [582.91] [933] [1052.3] [1264.44] [1280.49] [1312] [1559] [1602.39]
- October
- IBM Personal Computer introduces the IBM PS/2 56, 57, 76, and 77 computer models. [1572.40]
- IBM Personal Computer introduces the IBM PS/ValuePoint line of personal computers. The ValuePoint 433DX features 33 MHz 486, 8 MB RAM, 170/213 MB IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB disk drive, ISA bus, SuperVGA graphics, and OS/2. The ValuePoint 425SX features 25 MHz 486SX, 8 MB RAM, 80/170 MB hard drive, and OS/2. The ValuePoint 325T features 25 MHz 386SLC, 2 MB RAM, 80/170 MB hard drive, and DOS 5.0). [311.37] [1312] [1572.40]
- October 14
- At the Microprocessor Forum, AT&T Microelectronics unveils its Hobbit processor, implementing the CRISP architecture. Formal name of the processor is ATT92010. Processor speed is 20-30 MHz, depending on voltage. Price is US$35 in quantities of 10,000. [963.1]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced RISC Machines introduces the ARM250 chip, combining the core ARM processor with memory controller, video controller, and I/O interface. CPU speed is 12 to 16 MHz. The chip uses under 100,000 transistors, built in a 1-micron CMOS process. Price is US$25 in 100,000 unit quantities. [963.1]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, IBM and Motorola formally announce the beginning of production of PowerPC 601 microprocessors, in 50 MHz and 66 MHz versions. PowerPC stands for "Power Performance Chip", and incorporates an integer unit, a floating-point unit, and 32 MB cache. IBM produces the processor using 0.6-micron CMOS technology, with 2.8 million transistors per chip. [540.64] [671.2] [963.1]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Motorola gives details of its next processor, the 68060. It will feature two integer units, 8 kB instruction and data caches, over 2 million transistors, 0.5-micron CMOS process, clock rates of 50-66 MHz. [964.1]
- October
- Microsoft announces the Encarta multimedia encyclopedia. [1571.56]
- Apple Computer ships System 7.1 operating system, for the Macintosh. [632.239] [718.237] [719.26,31]
- Michael Slate, marketing vice-president of NeXT Computer, leaves the company. [1360.38]
- Apple Computer releases an update to QuickTime, adding support for text tracks. [884.64]
- Intel announces the Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller architecture, and the 82489DX chip that implements it. Price is US$26 in 1000 unit quantities. This chip replaces the 8259A controller designed in the late 1970s for use with the 8080 processor. [696.36] [964]
- Intel introduces the 33 MHz 80386SX microprocessor. Speed is 2.9 MIPS. [62]
- Cyrix begins shipping the Cx486SLC/e processor, which incorporates a system-management mode. Pricing is 25 MHz (5.0V) US$75, 25 MHz (3.3V) US$89, 33 MHz US$99. [540.64] [696.125] [964]
- Cyrix introduces the clock-doubled Cx486DRu2 microprocessor. Price is US$399. [477.130]
- Apple Computer begins direct mail order sales. [46] [75]
- Apple Computer's "Cognac" project team first successfully boots up a prototype Power Macintosh using a Power PC 601 processor. [584.173]
- Apple Computer introduces and ships the PowerBook 160. It features a 10-inch 16-grayscale backlit supertwist LCD display, 25 MHz 68030 processor, System 7 operating system, 4 MB RAM (expandable to 14 MB), 512 kB video RAM, direct external color monitor port, 40 MB hard drive, SuperDrive floppy drive, and weighs 6.8 pounds. Price is US$2429. [46] [75] [578.201] [696.46] [684.135] [718.237]
- Apple Computer introduces and ships the PowerBook 180, replacing the PowerBook 170. It features a 10-inch active-matrix 16-grayscale LCD display, 33 MHz 68030 processor, 68882 math coprocessor, SuperDrive floppy drive, external color monitor port, 4 MB RAM, and 80 MB hard drive. Weight is 6.8 pounds. Price is US$3869. [46] [75] [684.135] [718.237]
- Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh PowerBook Duo systems, consisting of a 4.2-pound portable computer, and a Macintosh Duo Dock desktop docking station. [46] [75] [578.193] [581.102,217]
- Apple Computer introduces and ships the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 210, featuring a 25 MHz Motorola MC68030 processor, 4 MB RAM, 80 MB hard drive, 640x480 grayscale 9.1-inch diagonal supertwist LCD screen, for US$2249. Weight is 4.2 pounds. [46] [75] [578.193] [684.144] [696.46] [718.237]
- Apple Computer introduces and ships the Macintosh PowerBook Duo 230, featuring a 33 MHz Motorola MC68030 processor, 4 MB RAM, 80 MB hard drive, 640x480 grayscale 9.1-inch diagonal supertwist LCD screen, for US$2609. Weight is 4.2 pounds. [46] [75] [578.193] [684.144] [696.46] [718.237]
- Apple Computer introduces and ships the Macintosh IIvx, which is a Macintosh Performa 600 with a 68882 math coprocessor and 32 kB of cache RAM. It features a 33 MHz 68030, 4 MB RAM (upgradeable to 68 MB), 3 NuBus slots, 80 MB hard drive, 512 kB VRAM, optional AppleCD 300i CD-ROM drive, for US$2949. [46] [75] [578.206] [696.46] [684.126] [718.237] [1205.36]
- Microsoft releases 50,000 copies of the first beta-test version of Windows NT. [928.67]
- Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh IIvi. It features a 16 MHz 68030, 4 MB RAM, 3 NuBus slots, 40 MB hard drive, System 7.1, for US$2600. [46] [75] [696.46]
- Fortune magazine publishes a list of the richest individuals in the US, with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates at the top, worth US$6.3 billion. [1700.23]
- One year after the introduction of Apple Computer's PowerBook, sales of US$1 billion make it the first personal computer to break that threshold. More than 400,000 PowerBooks have been shipped. [75] [632.25] [618.324]
- Microsoft releases the Microsoft Mouse 2.0. [909.236]
- October 18
- The fifth annual MultiMedia Expo is held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California. [956]
- October 27
- Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1, which integrates networking and workgroup functionality. [123] [210.38] [909.236] [1264.42] [1629.34] [1639.123] [1648.52] (November [477.165])
- October 31
- A group of four engineers from Novell and 14 from Apple complete a working proof-of-concept of a the Mac OS running on an Intel 486 PC. The project is code-named "Star Trek". [2605.229]
- October (month)
- Top selling MS-DOS computer game in the USA during the month: King's Quest VI. [2306.160]
- Top selling Amiga computer game in the USA during the month: Civilization. [2306.160]
- Top selling Macintosh computer game in the USA during the month: Prince of Persia. [2306.160]
- (month unknown)
- Microsoft introduces Video for Windows v1.0. Price is US$199. [1264.58]
- Lotus Development ships Lotus 1-2-3 v1.1 for the Macintosh. [632.25]
- Texas Instruments announces availability of its 486SLC processor at 20 and 25 MHz, and the 486DLC at 25 and 33 MHz. The processor design is licensed from Cyrix. Prices, for 1000 unit quantities, are: 20 MHz 486SLC US$59, 25 MHz US$69, 25 MHz 486DLC US$89, 33 MHz US$99. [963]
- Eo announces the Personal Communicator 440 handheld pen-based microcomputer. It features 20 MHz Hobbit processor, 4 MB RAM, PenPoint operating system in ROM, 480x640 screen, optional internal 20 MB hard drive, optional external floppy disk, keyboard port, one PCMCIA Type II slot, and various built-in software programs. Weight is 2.2 pounds. Size is about 11 x 8 x 1 inches. Battery life is about 4 hours. Pricing will start at about US$2000. [964.1]
- Eo announces the Personal Communicator 880 handheld pen-based microcomputer. It features 30 MHz Hobbit processor, 4 MB RAM, PenPoint operating system in ROM, 480x640 backlit screen, optional internal 64 MB hard drive, VGA output port, SCSI II interface, optional external floppy disk, keyboard port, two PCMCIA Type II slots, and various built-in software programs. Weight is 4 pounds. Size is about 13 x 9 x 1 inches. battery life is about 4 hours. Pricing will start at about US$3000. [964.1]
- Advanced Micro Devices introduces the 25 MHz Am386SXLV processor, operating at 3.3-volts, for use in portable computers. [1264.29]
- Intel announces that it will not call its 486 processor successor the 586, but will choose a name that can be registered as a trademark. [879.108]
- Intel announces that the name "Pentium" has been chosen for its next processor, currently referred to as P5. [964] [963]
- Advanced Micro Devices chairman Jerry Sanders calls the name Pentium better suited as "a name for toothpaste". [748.95] [963]
- John Dvorak quote on Intel's naming the P5 "Pentium": "One thing's for sure, *nobody* is going to call it the Pentium.". [748.95]
- Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP LaserJet 4 laser printer. [361.43] [698]
- Apple Computer introduces the DuoDock for the PowerBook Duo 210/230 computers. It includes a floppy disk drive, 3.5-inch hard drive bay, two NuBus slots, FPU socket, space for VRAM, and various I/O ports. [684.149]
- November
- Borland International introduces the Paradox database program for Windows. Price is US$795. [1049.131]
- Cyrix announces the Cx486S2/50 processor, its first 486-pin-compatible chip. It includes a 2 kB cache and internal clock-doubler, providing 50 MHz operation on 25 MHz systems. Initial pricing is US$249 in 1000 unit quantities. Code-name during development was M6. Production availability is expected for the first quarter of 1993. [964]
- Intel introduces the 486SL processor, designed for notebook computers. The processor takes the core of the 486DX with 8 kB cache, and adds system management mode, DRAM controller, and ISA bus interface. Speeds include 20 MHz (15.4 MIPS), 25 MHz (19 MIPS) and 33 MHz (25 MIPS). The processors can address 64 MB of physical memory, and 64 terabytes of virtual memory. They use 1.4 million transistors, employing 0.8-micron technology. Price for 25 MHz is US$269 in 1,000 unit quantities. Code-name during development was H4C. [62] [964.1] [969] [1264.29] (June 1993 [540.64])
- IBM releases XR06055 ServicePak for OS/2 2.0. [858.71]
- Borland, IBM, Novell, and WordPerfect announce the Integrated Database API (IDAPI) standard. [767.472] [879.32]
- November 16
- Fall COMDEX is held in Las Vegas, Nevada, with about 2,000 company booths, and 145,000 people attending. [734.335,348] [867.101] [868.97] [963]
- At Fall COMDEX, Advanced Micro Devices demos its 50 MHz 486 chips. [879.127] [965]
- At Fall COMDEX, Trident announces the Storm graphics accelerator chips for ISA, MCA, or VL-Bus graphics cards. The chips support up to 2 MB of video memory, allowing resolutions up to 1280x1024. Prices will be about US$23-30 each in volume. [965]
- At COMDEX, IBM demonstrates its "Blue Lightning" 486 processor, running at 100 MHz internally. It is like a 486SLC2 with 16 kB cache, 386DX-compatible 32-bit bus interface, and clock tripler. [965]
- Microsoft ships Microsoft Access 1.0 database program for Windows. Price is US$99. [123] [702.79] [771.140] [1360.39] [1631.40] (October [699.40])
- November
- Apple Computer announces QuickTime for Windows. [46] [75] [120]
- November (month)
- Top selling MS-DOS computer game in the USA during the month: King's Quest VI. [1535.144]
- Top selling Amiga computer game in the USA during the month: Police Quest III. [1535.144]
- Top selling Macintosh computer game in the USA during the month: Prince of Persia. [1535.144]
- (month unknown)
- Estimated DOS users world-wide: 100 million. [928.67]
- Univel ships UNIXware, a UNIX implementation of Novell's Netware network operating system. [760.99] (January 1993 [548.159])
- December 2
- A US federal court rules that Advanced Micro Devices does not have the right to use Intel's 486 microcode in its microprocessors. [477.92] [879.127] [965]
- December 4
- Apple executive staff approves proceeding with porting the Mac OS to operate natively on Intel processors. [2605.230]
- December
- The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health reports a link between miscarriages in pregnant workers and video display terminals. [703.278]
- Apple Computer discontinues the Apple IIgs. [75]
- Apple Computer agrees to pay minimum $15 million in royalty fees to America Online over 5 years, and $2.5 million to fund a Macintosh interface to a new online service run by Apple. [2605.149]
- Motorola begins volume shipments of the 40 MHz 68040 processor. [338]
- The US Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition files a 250-page report on Microsoft to the five-member commission, recommending seeking a court injunction against Microsoft. [1700.36]
- Atari releases its last personal computer, the Falcon 030. [2605.5]
- Total shipments to date: Intel 8086, 14.8 million; Intel 8088, 20.5 million; Intel 80286, 36.8 million; Intel 386DX, 15.5 million; Intel 386SX, 21.9 million; Intel 486DX, 5.2 million; Intel 386SL, 1.8 million; AMD Am386DX, 4.3 million; Intel 486SX, 2.9 million; AMD Am386SX, 5.7 million; Intel 486DX2, 900,000; Cyrix Cx486SLC, 200,000; Cyrix Cx486DLC, 75,000; Cyrix Cx486DRu2, 25,000. [477.124]
- December 31
- Unit shipments of personal computers worldwide to date: about 135 million. [1199.60]
- December (month)
- Top selling MS-DOS computer game in the USA during the month: King's Quest VI. [2307.176]
- Top selling Amiga computer game in the USA during the month: 688 Attack Sub. [2307.176]
- Top selling Macintosh computer game in the USA during the month: Prince of Persia. [2307.176]
- Year
- By the end of the year, over one million copies of OS/2 2.0 have shipped. [858.17]
- Shipments of optical drives worldwide during the year: 59.4 million. [1587.42]
- Worldwide shipment of CD-ROM drives for the year: 3 million. [909.236]
- Market share of personal computer shipments in the USA for the year: IBM 10%, Apple Computer 12-13.4%, Compaq 5.6%. [958.48] [1958.44]
- World market share of personal computers for the year: IBM: 15%. [606.55]
- DOS world-wide market share: Microsoft 79%, IBM 16%, Novell 5%. [879.30]
- Percent of US homes with personal computers: 29.6%. [214]
- Retail shipments of personal computers in the US for the year: 3 million units. [223]
- Shipments of laser printers in the US for the year: nearly 3 million. [988]
- Shipments of sound boards for the year: 1.8 million. [879.181]
- North American unit sales of color monitors for the year: 14-inch 11.8 million; 15-inch 1.7 million; 17-inch 0.9 million. [552.31]
- During the year, 18% of Intel-based PC sales contain a 486 processor. [509.36]
- Market share of x86 processor shipments: Advanced Micro Devices 30%. [1092.70]
- Shipments of ink-jet printers for the year: 1.66 million, generating revenue of US$1.12 billion. Shipments of color ink-jet printers for the year: 360,000. [819.12] [864.8]
- Business shipments of personal computers in the US for the year: 5.76 million units. [223]
- Market share of personal computer software: Microsoft 44%, Lotus Development 11.7%, WordPerfect 8%. [1700.24]
- Shipments of Microsoft Windows for the year: over 10 million units. [915.27]
- Apple Computer shipments of the Macintosh operating system for the year: over 6 million copies. [915.27]
- Shipments of Advanced Micro Devices 386 processor chips for the year: 9.5 million. [981]
- World shipments of optical erasable drives during the year: 279,000. [915.69]
- Unit shipments of personal computers during the year: about 27 million. [1199.60]
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