- July
- At the Macworld trade show, Apple Computer introduces the AirPort wireless networking system, based on the IEEE 802.11b standard. [1259.22] [2201.19]
- July 21
- At the Macworld trade show, Steve Jobs announces the Halo: Combat Evolved game for Mac and Windows computers. [2565.99]
- July 22
- The Shareware Industry Conference is held in Tampa, Florida. [974.171]
- (month unknown)
- Packard Bell NEC introduces the Z1 personal computer. It features 15-inch flat-panel removable display with DVD-ROM drive, 450 MHz Pentium III processor, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 96 MB RAM, 8.4 GB hard drive, 56 kbps modem, wireless keyboard, mouse, Windows 98, Microsoft Word 97. price is US$2500. [1226.11]
- Microsoft introduces the IntelliMouse Explorer mouse. The unit uses IntelliEye technology to detect movement via an optical sensor rather than a rolling ball. Price is about US$75 for serial or USB connector. [1194.48]
- Quote by Trae McCombs, site manager for the Linux.com web site: "In five years we're going to sit around an laugh that we even had operating system wars; there's just going to be Linux. We're going to take over.". [1451.21]
- VTech Information releases the VTech Helio PDA. It features 4 MB RAM, VT-OS 1.1 operating system, microphone, 75 MHz 32-bit RISC processor, 16-shade grayscale display. Price is US$199. [1194.42]
- Corel releases WordPerfect Office 2000 office productivity application suite. It includes WordPerfect 9 word processor, Quattro Pro 9 spreadsheet, Corel Presentations 9, CorelCentral 9 personal information manager, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, and Trellix 2. Price is CDN$599-769. [905.26]
- At Microsoft, Chuck Thacker and Butler Lampson volunteer to head a design team to build a full-featured notebook-sized computer, to be as easy to use as a piece of paper. At Xerox PARC in the early 1970s, Thacker and Lampson had attempted a similar project, starting with the Dynabook idea but ending up with the Alto. [1141.70]
- August 5
- The GenCon convention is held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, over four days. Strategic Simulations officially announces the Pool of Radiance 2 game for Windows PCs. Interplay and Bioware announce the Neverwinter Nights game for Windows PCs. [2229.32]
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- August
- The US Federal Trade Commission votes 3 to 1 to approve a consent order with Intel reached in March, settling their antitrust lawsuit. [1559]
- August 5
- eMachines introduces the eOne personal computer. It features built-in 15-inch monitor, speakers, 1.44 MB floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drive, two USB ports, Ethernet jack, modem, NTSC video-in port, 433 MHz Celeron processor, 64 MB SDRAM, ATI RagePro XL graphics. Price is about US$799-849. [1194.53] [1559]
- August 9
- Advanced Micro Devices introduces the Athlon processor, formerly code-named K7. The processor features Enhanced 3DNow! technology. Speeds and prices are 650 MHz (US$849), 600 MHz (US$615), 550 MHz (US$449), 500 MHz (US$249). [974.105] [1179.69] [1559]
- August 16
- Microsoft releases ActiveSync 3.0 for Windows CE, a software update allowing better communications with desktop computers. [1559]
- August
- Hercules Graphics Technology files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, in Oakland, California. [925.37] [1112.41] [1420.39]
- Via Technologies signs a purchase agreement with National Semiconductor to acquire Cyrix, except for the MediaGX processor. [1194.121]
- Web browser market share: Microsoft Internet Explorer 75%, Netscape Navigator 23%. [1185.20]
- August 19
- Apple Computer files a complaint against eMachines for copying the look of the iMac with the eOne computers. [2605.298]
- August 30
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 500 MHz K6-2 processor. Price is US$167 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- August 31
- At the Seybold conference in San Francisco, California, Apple Computer unveils the Apple Cinema Display, a 22-inch LCD flat-panel display. Price is US$3999. [925.37] [1559]
- Apple Computer releases the Power Mac G4 computer. It features a 400 MHz PowerPC G4, 64 MB RAM, CD-ROM drive, 10 GB hard disk. Prices start at US$1599. [925.37] [1026.77] [1559] (September [1883.58] [1886.71] [2201.16])
- Apple Computer iMac computers sold to date: 2 million. [1103.34] [1559]
- August (month)
- Top selling computer game in the USA for the month: Half-Life. [2230.54]
- (month unknown)
- Fujitsu Personal Systems introduces the Stylistic LT pen tablet computer. It features a 233 MHz Pentium MMX processor, 64 MB SDRAM, 4.3 GB hard drive, keypad, 8.4-inch color 800x600 SVGA display, Ethernet or v.90 modem, two PC Card 3.0 slots, USB port, audio system. It weighs 2.3 pounds and is 1.1 inches thick. A docking station can be added, allowing full-size keyboard, mouse, external monitor, floppy drive, and other ports. [923.50]
- September 3
- In Iowa, Microware Systems files a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Apple Computer, claiming trademark violation by Apple of Microware's "OS-9" operating system. Microware seeks Apple's earnings from the sale of Mac OS 9, and an order refraining Apple from using the name in advertising. (The Court dismissess the lawsuit in March.) [1559] [2605.280]
- September 14
- Handspring releases the Handspring Visor Deluxe handheld computer. It features 16 MHz Motorola Dragonball EZ processor, 8 MB RAM, 2 MB ROM, Springboard expansion slot, Palm OS 3.1, 2.1 x 2.1 inch passive matrix 16-shade grayscale backlit display, infrared port, microphone, USB port. Two AAA alkaline batteries power the unit for about two months. Price is about US$250; size is 4.8 x 3.0 x 0.6 inches; weight is 6 ounces. [1194.41] [1249.76] [1236.44] [1826.57]
- September
- Apple Computer begins shipping the iBook computer. [1127.66] [1559]
- Microsoft releases the DirectX 7.0 software. This release increases performance by about 20 percent. [1774.49]
- September 16
- Intel introduces the 433 and 466 MHz mobile Celeron processors. Prices are US$159 and US$209 respectively, in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- September 17
- Compaq Computer unveils the Aero 1530 handheld computer. It features Windows CE, 16MB RAM, 14-hour battery life, MP3 audio player, PC Card Type I slot. Weight is five ounces; price is US$299. [1559]
- September 20
- Tokyo District Court issues a preliminary injunction against eMachines for the eOne computers copying the look of Apple Computer's iMac computers. [2605.298]
- September 21
- A large earthquake registering 7.6 on the Richter scale shakes Taiwan, leading to a two-week halt to manufacturing of many components of personal computers. [1559]
- September 23
- Intel tells PC vendors to delay shipments of computers using Pentium III processors with 820 chipsets and Rambus DRAM, due to unresolved application and system crashes. [1112.62]
- September 26
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A man is kicked out of a movie theater for having a computer with him: desktop unit, CRT monitor, keyboard, and mouse. In a later theater showing, the man leaves the theater typing a review on a laptop computer. [1973]
- September 30
- Netscape releases Communicator 4.7 Web browser for Windows and Macintosh. New features include Netscape Radio and Winamp 2.5. [1559]
- July-September
- Market share of personal computers in the US for the period July-September: Dell Computer 17.1%, Compaq Computer 15.3%, Gateway 9.3%, Hewlett-Packard 8.2%, IBM 7.6%. [1559]
- Market share of personal computers shipped worldwide for the period July-September: Compaq Computer 12.8%, Dell Computer 10.8%, IBM 7.6%, Hewlett-Packard 6.2%, Gateway 4.3%. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- NEC Computer Systems Division of Packard Bell NEC introduces the NEC PowerMate 2000 desktop computer. It features 433 MHz Celeron processor, 64 MB RAM, 6.4 GB hard drive, 24X CD-ROM drive, Ethernet support, 15-inch flat panel display, two CardBus PC Card slots, two USB connections, and Windows 98 or NT 4.0. Its size is 10.5 x 7.7 x 2 inches. Cost is about US$2700. [924.28]
- Psion introduces the Psion Revo personal digital assistant. It features 8 MB RAM, 36 MHz ARM 710T RISC processor, 53-key keyboard, 1.5 x 4.5 inch monochrome 480x160 pixel touchscreen, 8 MB ROM, Symbian EPOC32 v5.0 operating system, 19.2 kbps modem. The system operates for about 14 hours on nickel hydride batteries. Size is 0.8 x 6 x 3 inches; weight is 7.8 ounces. [1104.49]
- Psion introduces the Psion Series 7 handheld computer. It features 7.7-inch diagonal touch-screen VGA color display, keyboard, 132.71 MHz Intel StrongARM 1100 processor, 16 MB RAM, Compact Flash Type II slot, Type II PC Card slot, serial port, infrared port, Symbian EPOC32 ER5 operating system. The rechargeable lithium ion battery gives power for about 8.5 hours. Size is 1.5 x 9.2 x 7.1 inches; weight is 2.5 pounds, price is about US$900. [1249.53]
- Compaq Computer introduces the Aero 1500 handheld computer. It features 16 MB RAM, 240x320 resolution 16-grayscale display, Windows CE, Compact Flash Card slot. Power lasts 12-14 hours on a lithium-ion battery. Price is US$349. [1112.119]
- In Canada, Fujitsu Canada introduces the LifeBook E380 notebook computer, featuring a 400 MHz Intel Pentium II processor, 10 GB hard drive, 64 MB RAM, modular Iomega Zip drive, dual multifunction bays, ErgoTrac pointing device, 24X CD-ROM drive, built-in 56 kB v.90 modem. List price is CDN$4999. [921.34]
- In Canada, Fujitsu Canada introduces the LifeBook E362 notebook computer, featuring a 400 MHz Intel Celeron processor, 4.3 GB hard drive, 32 MB RAM, dual multifunction bays, ErgoTrak pointing device, 24X CD-ROM drive, built-in 56 kB v.90 modem. List price is CDN$2809. [921.34]
- In Canada, Fujitsu Canada introduces the LifeBook B142 mini-notebook computer, featuring a 300 MHz Intel Celeron processor, 6.4 GB hard disk drive, built-in 56 kB v.90 modem, touch screen, Windows 98 SE. Weight is 2.65 pounds. List price is CDN$2969. [921.34]
- Aqcess Technologies unveils the Qbe personal computing tablet. It features 266 MHz (or 400 MHz) Pentium II processor, TouchPen technology, handwriting and speech recognition, detachable CCD camera, wireless Internet access, 13.3-inch active matrix display capable of up to 1024x768 resolution, bar code reader, Windows 98 or NT, 4 GB (or 6 GB) hard drive, 64 MB RAM, microphone, speakers, USB and Firewire ports, two PCMCIA slots, rechargeable battery for up to 4 hours use. Weight is 4 pounds. Price is approximately US$2995. [921.35]
- Corel introduces CorelDRAW 9 Premium Colour Edition, for US$1550. [921.37]
- Intel introduces the Mobile Pentium III processor. Speeds available are 400, 450, and 500 MHz, with 100 MHz bus and 256 kB Level 2 cache. The processors are made using 0.18 micro fabrication. [1103.45] [1104.33]
- Intel introduces the Xeon processor in speeds of 600, 667, and 733 MHz, with a 133 MHz bus. Price of the 733 MHz chip is US$826 in large quantities. [1104.33]
- Intel acquires the assets of Real3D. [1420.156]
- October 3
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. A university campus dormitory in year 3000 includes what appears to be an original Apple Computer Macintosh computer. [1927]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A small handheld computer is used, with a small text screen. [1974]
- October 4
- Red Hat begins shipping Red Hat Linux 6.1 operating system. Included is the Star Office 5.1a office suite. Price ranges from US$29.95 to US$140.95. [1559]
- Intel announces the official name for the 64-bit processor code-named Merced: Itanium. [1103.11] [1559]
- Palm Computing launches the Palm VII handheld computer with wireless support in 260 cities throughout the US. The Palm.net network costs start at US$9.99 for 80 transactions, with access to email, Internet messaging, and over 100 content providers. [1559]
- Palm Computing introduces the Palm Vx handheld computer. It is based on the Palm V design, expanding memory from 2 to 8 MB. [1559]
- October 5
- The Microprocessor Forum is held in San Jose, California. [1026.25] [1559]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced Micro Devices gives first details of its own 64-bit processor, code-named Sledgehammer, backward-compatible with Intel 32-bit x86 architecture processors. [1559]
- October
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Motorola announces it has a PowerPC G4 processor with AltiVec technology running at 700 MHz. [1026.25]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced Micro Devices first announces details of HyperTransport, a replacement for the PCI bus. The architecture can be implemented with 2-32 pins, with maximum transfer rate of 3.2 GBps. Code-name during development is Lighting Data Transport. [1268.79]
- October 9
- Philips Electronics announces it is discontinuing its line of Nino 200 and 500 handheld computers. [1559]
- October 15
- Handspring begins shipping the Handspring Visor Deluxe handheld computer. [1249.76] (April 2000 [1464.100])
- October
- Apple Computer introduces the updated iMac computer. It features 350 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 64 MB RAM, 6 GB hard drive, two USB ports, v.90 modem, Ethernet port, 512 kB L2 cache, 24X ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D graphics accelerator with 8 MB video RAM in AGP 2X slot, Mac OS 8.6 operating system, CD-ROM drive, in a blueberry colored case, for US$999. [1026.70] [1103.34] [1717.36]
- Apple Computer introduces the iMac DV computer. It features 400 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 64 MB RAM, 10 GB hard drive, two 400-Mbps FireWire ports, v.90 modem, Ethernet port, ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D graphics accelerator with 8 MB video RAM in AGP 2X slot, 512 kB L2 cache, DVD-ROM drive, iMovie software, in a choice of five case colors, for US$1299. [1026.70] [1103.34]
- Apple Computer introduces the iMac DV Special Edition computer. It features 400 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 128 MB RAM, 13 GB hard drive, two 400-Mbps FireWire ports, v.90 modem, Ethernet port, ATI Rage 128 VR 2D/3D graphics accelerator with 8 MB video RAM in AGP 2X slot, 512 kB L2 cache, DVD-ROM drive, iMovie software, in a gray graphite textured case, for US$1499. [1026.70] [1103.34]
- The November issue of PC Gamer calls Half-Life the best PC game ever. [2230.119]
- IBM announces it will cease sales of personal computers in retail stores, to concentrate on direct sales, Internet, and other channels. [1742.114]
- Guillemot acquires the assets of Hercules Graphics Technology. [1420.39,156]
- Advanced Micro Devices unveils the 700 MHz Athlon processor. Price is US$849 in large quantities. [1104.33] [1261] [1635.52]
- Microsoft ships Outlook Express 5.0 for the Macintosh. [1027.26]
- October 22
- Apple Computer releases the Mac OS 9 operating system. [1103.34] [1559] [1648.54] [1721.29] [1880.20] [1886.71] [1897.131] [2605.279]
- October 24
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer is used to write a letter. [1975]
- October 25
- In San Jose, California, Intel introduces new and updated Pentium III processors based on 0.18-micron technology, code-named Coppermine. The processor incorporates 28 million transistors with 0.18-micron technology. Speeds and prices in 1000-unit quantities range from 500 MHz (US$239) to 733 MHz (US$776) for desktop versions, and 400 MHz (US$348) to 500 MHz (US$530) for portable versions. [1104.33] [1140.62] [1261] [1278.114] [1559] [1635.52]
- October
- IBM announces the 73.4 GB IBM Ultrastar 72X, the world's largest hard drive. [1104.118] [1228.108]
- October 29
- Brad Silverberg leaves Microsoft, after nine years employment. He served as vice president for applications and the Internet client group. He headed the team responsible for Windows 3.1 and Internet Explorer. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- Aqcess Technologies unveils the Qbe Altus personal computing tablet. It features 450 MHz Pentium III processor, TouchPen technology, handwriting and speech recognition, detachable CCD camera, 56K modem, 13.3-inch active matrix display capable of up to 1024x768 resolution, bar code reader, 8 GB hard drive, 128 MB RAM, microphone, speakers, USB and Firewire ports, two Type II PCMCIA slots, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery for up to 4 hours use. [1053.27]
- November 5
- US Judge Thomas Jackson issues his 207-page Findings of Fact, ruling that Microsoft has monopoly power over personal computer operating systems, and uses that power to harm American consumers. [929.47] [1027.25] [1053.21] [1079.49] [1236.98] [1249.32] [1462.6,94] [1526.87] [1564.305]
- November 14
- The Fall COMDEX '99 trade show is held in Las Vegas, Nevada, over five days. Bill Gates gives a keynote address. 3126 exhibitors and 417,000 visitors attend. [921.38] [929.D1] [1035.61] [1104.58] [1228.8] [1466.244] [1574.29] [1704.70]
- November 15
- At the Fall COMDEX show, Corel releases Corel Linux OS 1.0. Price is free as a Web site download, US$59.95 standard edition in box with CD and manuals, US$89.95 deluxe edition with games, and WordPerfect. [1270.75] [1462.74] [1559]
- The Marshall Islands issues a postage stamp depicting personal computers, part of a series on events of the 20th century. [2465.796]
- Everex announces it has abandoned plans for the Freestyle 540 handheld computer, and discontinuing its monochrome palm-size computer. [1559]
- November
- Sony announces the Clie PEG S300 handheld computer. It features the Palm OS. [1559]
- Nvidia launches the Quadro video card product line. [1706.24]
- Dell Computer introduces the WebPC computer. It includes Ethernet, 56 kbps modem, no expansion slots, USB ports, and no floppy disk drive. Available in four different colors. [1107.24] [2201.15]
- November 29
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 750 MHz Athlon processor, fabricated with 0.18-micron technology. Price is US$799 in 1000-unit quantities. [1261] [1278.114] [1559] [1635.52]
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 533 MHz K6-2 processor, for US$167 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- Dominican Republic issues a 6-peso postage stamp depicting a personal computer. [2405.870]
- (month unknown)
- Number Nine Visual Technology files for bankruptcy. [1637.45]
- Intel introduces the 650 MHz Pentium IIIE processor, with 256 kB on-chip cache accessible at full processor speed. [1235.19]
- December 15
- Microsoft releases Windows 2000 to computer manufacturers. [1030.3] [1444.35] [1559] (December 14 [1736.160])
- December
- Compaq Computer introduces the iPaq personal computer. It features 500 MHz Celeron or 500 MHz Pentium III processor, 4.3 or 8.4 GB hard drive, 64 to 256 MB RAM, standard or legacy configuration, drive bay for optional CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, LS-120 drive. Price starts at US$499. Operating system choices include Windows 95/98/2000/NT. [1258.47]
- December 16
- Be company stock trades at a high of $39 per share, giving the company a market capitalization of $1.4 billion. [2605.276]
- December 18
- Malaysia issues a postage stamp for the Universal Postal Union's 125th anniversary depicting a personal computer. [2465.680]
- December 19
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer appears: system unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse. One child asks another why a toy is destroying other toys. The other child responds "They must have programmed it to eliminate the competition." "You mean like Microsoft?". [1977]
- December 20
- Intel releases the 750 and 800 MHz Pentium III processors. Prices are US$803 and US$851 respectively, in 1000-unit quantities. [1559] [1635.52]
- December
- Market share of US retail software, based on units sold: Corel 0.31%. [1097.15]
- December 27
- Microsoft stock market value peaks at US$600 million. [2095.39]
- December 31
- Shipments of CD-R discs worldwide to date: 1.4 billion. [1424.217]
- Shipments of CD-RW drives to date: 14 million. [1424.217]
- December (month)
- Top selling computer game in the USA for the month: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. [2158.32]
- October-December
- Market share of personal computer shipments worldwide during October to December: Compaq Computer 13.7%, Dell Computer 10.1%, IBM 7.6%, Hewlett-Packard 7.5%, Fujitsu Siemens 5.2%. [1559]
- Market share of personal computer shipments in the US during October to December: Dell Computer 16.8%, Compaq Computer 16.1%, Hewlett-Packard 10.2%, Gateway 9.2%, IBM 5.5%, Apple Computer 3.9%. [1559]
- Year
- Top selling computer game in the USA for the year: Roller Coaster Tycoon. [2158.32]
- Software shipments in North America on DVD: 98 million units. [1608.12]
- Market share of personal computer shipments in the US during the year: Dell Computer 16.6%, Compaq Computer 16.1%, Gateway 8.9%, Hewlett-Packard 8.8%, IBM 7.3%, Apple Computer 4.4%. [1559]
- Market share of personal computer shipments worldwide during the year: Compaq Computer 13.9%, Dell Computer 10.5%, IBM 8.2%, Hewlett-Packard 6.7%, NEC 5.5%, Fujitsu Siemens 5.5%, Apple Computer 3.4%. [1559]
- Market share of home personal computers in the US for the year: Compaq Computer 19.0%, Hewlett-Packard 16.1%, EMachines 11.0%, Packard Bell NEC 7.3%, Apple Computer 7.1%, other 24.2%. [1748.108]
- Market share of personal computer processors during the year: Advanced Micro Devices 14%. [1752.116]
- Market share of personal computer operating systems: Mac OS 5%, Linux 4%. [1718.26]
- Market share of digital imaging software in the world: Adobe 40%. [1706.160]
- Market share of handheld computers in Europe: Palm 59%, Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Computer (combined) 18%. [1559]
- Shipments of ARM processors during the year: 175 million. [1258.97]
- Unit shipments of handheld computers during the year: about 5 million. [1827.20] [1840.74]
- Shipments of color inkjet printers worldwide during the year: 19.3 million. [1559]
- Shipments of personal computers worldwide during the year: 110-130 million. [1249.4] [1262.72] [1276.29] [1420.21] [1559] [1738.50] [1757.94]
- Shipments of personal computers in the US for the year: 43-49 million. [1079.49] [1249.4] [1276.29]
- Percent of US homes with personal computers: 53-56%. [1079.49] [1090.17] [1249.4] [1257.50] [1559]
- Shipments of CD-RW drives in the US during the year: 14.8 million. [1258.198]
- Shipments of DVD-RAM drives in the US during the year: 240,000. [1258.198]
- Shipments of Apple Computer iMac computers worldwide during the year: 2 million. [1559]
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