Chronology of Personal Computers

Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
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URL: http://kpolsson.com/comphist/

References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 October 25.


2002

July 1
  • Apple Computer buys the Emagic company, maker of the Logic audio software. [1259.24] [2212.25]
July 11
  • Microsoft begins selling routers for home networking. [1951.40]
July 15
  • Microsoft announces the release name of its digital media technology code-named Corona will be Windows Media 9 Series. [1559]
  • Apple Computer releases QuickTime 6 digital media software. A major new feature is the inclusion of MPEG-4 support. [1559]
July 16
  • Nvidia releases a new set of graphics chips for low-end personal computers. [1952.68]
July 17
  • ATI Technologies releases a new Radeon graphics chip. [1952.68]
  • At the Macworld Expo, Apple Computer introduces a new iMac computer with 17-inch flat panel display. Other features: 800 MHz PowerPC G4 with 256 kB L2 cache, 256 MB SDRAM, 80 GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce4 MX with 32 MB VRAM, SuperDrive, speakers, 1440x900 graphics, 56 Kbps modem, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet. Price is US$1999. [1559] [1646.53] [1873.22] [2203.19] [2212.25]
July 18
  • Dell announces it plans to launch its own line of printers by the end of the year. [1953.66]
July 19
  • Debian Linux 3.0 is released. It includes Linux kernal 2.4, support for KDE graphical interface, support for eleven different processors. [1559]
July 22
  • Sony launches the Clie PEG-SL10 handheld computer. It features 8 MB RAM, Palm OS 4.1, monochrome 320x320 pixel screen, Memory Stick slot, and two AAA batteries. Price is US$149. [1559]
July 25
  • Hewlett-Packard introduces the Jornada 928 handheld computer in the US. It features 16-bit color screen, Compact Flash slot, 133 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP 710 processor, 64 MB RAM, Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 operating system, rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, CompactFlash Type I slot. Size is 5.4 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches; weight is 6.8 ounces. [1559]
July
  • Corel releases the CorelDraw Graphics Suite 11 for the Macintosh. Price is US$529. [2198.17] [2203.14]
(month unknown)
  • QuakeCon 2002 is held in Mesquite, Texas, over four days, hosted by id Software. About 3000 gamers attend. id Software presents Doom III. Overall Quake III champion is LeXer, winning US$20,000. Team champion is the Doctors, winning US$25,000 for the Return to Castle Wolfenstein competition. [1646.12]
  • Razor releases the Zayo A600 handheld computer. It features 240x320 pixel reflective TFT display, Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 operating system, SecureDigital slot, Intel 400 MHz PXA 250 processor, 64 MB RAM, 32 MB Flash ROM. Size is 4.9 x 2.9 x 0.5 inches; weight is 4.9 ounces; price is US$549.99. [1551.23]
August 1
  • Namibia issues a $1.30 postage stamp for the 10th anniversary of Namibia Post and Telecommunications, depicting a personal computer. [2465.1136]
August 4
  • Thailand issues a 4-baht postage stamp for National Communications Day, depicting a laptop computer. [2529.489]

    vvv advertisement vvv

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August
  • Advanced Micro Devices introduces the 1.6 GHz Athlon MP 1900+ processor. It features 64 kB Level 1 data cache, 64 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 256 kB Level 2 cache, three pipelined FPUs, max address 4 GB, and 266 MHz system bus. It supports MMX, 3DNow!, Enhanced 3DNow!, 3DNow! Professional instructions. It incorporates 37.6 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Code-name during development was Thoroughbred. [1454.124]
  • Handspring releases the Treo Communicator 300 handheld computer. Price is US$499. [1559]
  • Acer introduces the s50 handheld computer. It features color screen, 16 MB RAM, Memory stick slot. Price is US$299. [1559]
  • Acer introduces the s60 handheld computer. It features color screen, 16 MB RAM, Memory stick slot, digital audio recorder/player. Price is US$359. [1559]
  • IBM releases the ThinkPad X30 portable computer, with Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless communications. [1559]
  • America Online releases AOL 10.2 software for the Macintosh. [1715.118]
  • Microsoft releases Service Pack 3 for Windows 2000. [1435.16]
  • The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards an Emmy to Apple Computer for its Final Cut Pro video-editing software. [1559]
August 19
  • Sony releases the Clie PEG-SJ20 handheld computer. It features 16 MB RAM, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, backlit monochrome 320x320 pixel screen, Palm OS 4.1, and Memory Stick slot. Price is US$199. [1559]
August 20
  • Advanced Micro Devices releases the 2 GHz Athlon XP 2400+ processor. Price is US$193 each in quantities of 1000. [1551.8] [1559]
  • Advanced Micro Devices releases the 2.133 GHz Athlon XP 2600+ processor. Price is US$297 each in quantities of 1000. [1551.8] [1559]
August 23
  • Apple Computer launches Mac OS X 10.2 operating system. New features include instant-messaging client iChat, and handwriting recognition technology Inkwell. Price is US$129 for single user, or US$199 for a five-user package. Code-name during development was Jaguar. For the first time since the original Macintosh launch in January 1984, the "Happy Mac" icon is not part of the start-up sequence. It has been replaced by a silver-gray Apple icon. [1559] [1582.8] [1880.20] [1886.72] [2212.25] (August 24 [1646.8] [1873.25]) (August 13 [1918.45])
August 26
  • Intel releases the 2.5 GHz Pentium 4 processor, with 400 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$243 in quantities of 1000. [1551.8] [1559]
  • Intel releases the 2.6 GHz Pentium 4 processor, with 400 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$401 in quantities of 1000. [1551.8] [1559]
  • Intel releases the 2.66 GHz Pentium 4 processor, with 533 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$401 in quantities of 1000. [1551.8] [1559]
  • Intel releases the 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor, with 533 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$508 in quantities of 1000. [1551.8] [1559]
  • Caldera International announces it is changing its name to The SCO Group. [1198.3] [1471.59] [1559] [2179.14]
September 1
  • Libya issues a 100-dinar postage stamp depicting a personal computer. [2492.71]
September 2
  • Sony releases the Clie PEG-SJ30 handheld computer. It features 16-bit color 320x320 resolution screen, 16 MB RAM, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Memory Stick slot, Palm OS 4.1. Price is US$300. [1559]
September 4
  • In Los Angeles, California, Microsoft introduces Windows Media 9 Series digital media software. [1559]
September 10
  • At the Apple Expo in Paris, France, Apple Computer announces that Mac computers shipping in January will boot to Mac OS X only. [2212.27] [2605.280]
September 12
  • Cyprus issues a 30 cent postage stamp depicting a personal computer. [2405.676]
September 13
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A personal computer appears. [1986]
September
  • At the Intel Developer Forum, several companies announce the first Serial ATA products. [1551.40]
  • The Serial ATA Working Group releases Serial ATA II, Phase 1 specification. [1551.42]
  • Microsoft releases Windows XP Service Pack 1. Free website download or US$10 on a CD-ROM. [1897.132] [2664.28]
  • The Computer Institution of the Chinese Academy of Sciences releases the "Dragon Chip" processor. Initial speeds are 200 and 266 MHz. [1775.7]
September 16
  • Intel unveils the 2.2 GHz Pentium 4-M processor. Price is US$562 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
  • Intel unveils the 1.6, 1.7, and 1.8 GHz mobile Celeron processors. Prices are US$112 (1.6 GHz), US$134 (1.7 GHz), and US$149 (1.8 GHz) in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
  • Intel introduces the 1.26 and 1.33 GHz Mobile Pentium III-M processor. It features 16 kB Level 1 data cache, 16 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 133 MHz system bus, MMX and SSE instructions, 64 GB address space. It incorporates 44 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Price is US$401 (1.26 GHz) and US$508 (1.33 GHz) in 1000-unit quantities. Code-name during development was Tualatin. [1454.124] [1559]
  • Intel introduces the 1 GHz Mobile Pentium III-M LV processor. It features 16 kB Level 1 data cache, 16 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 133 MHz system bus, MMX and SSE instructions, 64 GB address space. It incorporates 44 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Price is US$316 in 1000-unit quantities. Code-name during development was Tualatin. [1454.124] [1559]
  • Intel introduces the 850 and 866 MHz Mobile Pentium III-M ULV processor. It features 16 kB Level 1 data cache, 16 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 133 MHz system bus, MMX and SSE instructions, 64 GB address space. It incorporates 44 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Price is US$209 in 1000-unit quantities. Code-name during development was Tualatin. [1454.124] [1559]
  • Intel introduces the 700 and 733 MHz Mobile Celeron ULV processor. It features 16 kB Level 1 data cache, 16 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 256 kB Level 2 cache, 100 MHz system bus, MMX and SSE instructions, 64 GB address space. It incorporates 44 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Price is US$144 in 1000-unit quantities. Code-name during development was Tualatin. [1454.124] [1559]
September 17
  • General Magic company announces it is ceasing operations. [2605.187]
September 24
  • Advanced Micro Devices releases the Athlon XP 1900+ and 2000+ mobile processors. Prices are US$239 and US$345 each in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
September 27
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A personal computer is used to access the Internet; when it is too slow in downloading information, a character throws it out the window: system unit, monitor, and keyboard. [1932]
September
  • Toshiba releases the Pocket PC e740 handheld computer in Asia. [1559]
July-September
  • Shipments of handheld computers worldwide during July to September: Palm 824,000; Sony 350,000; Hewlett-Packard / Compaq Computer 290,000; Toshiba 103,700; Casio 100,000; others 768,700. Total: 2.34 million. [1648.12]
  • Total unit sales of notebook computers in Europe from July to September: 2.0 million. [2109.54]
October 2
  • Sony Electronics introduces the Sony Clié PEG-NX70V handheld computer. It features 802.11b wireless LAN card slot, voice recorder, digital camera, Palm OS 5.0, 16 MB RAM, 16 MB ROM, Memory Stick expansion slot, 65,536-color TFT 320x480 pixel display, 200 MHz processor, QWERTY keyboard, Graffiti writing area, digital audio/video player. Price is US$599.99; size is 5.5x2.9x0.7 inches. [1272.40] [1559] [1774.23]
October 5
  • In the ten years since introducing the first ThinkPad computer, IBM has sold 15 million units. [1559]
October 7
  • Palm announces its first Zire handheld computer. It features 16 MHz Motorola Dragonball EZ processor, 2 MB RAM, 2 MB ROM, Palm OS 4.1, 160x160 pixel monochrome 1.9-inch LCD screen, rechargeable battery. Price is US$99; weight is 3.6 ounces. [1551.84] [1559] [1844.48]
October 14
  • At the Microprocessor Forum, IBM describes the 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC 970 processor, with up to 7.2 GBps front-side bus transfer speed, and SIMD input. [1273.25] [1559]
October 15
  • Toshiba launches the Pocket PC e335 handheld computer. It features 3.5-inch color screen, 300 MHz Intel PXA250 XScale processor, 64 MB RAM. Price is US$399. [1559]
October
  • Sun Microsystems announces it will not cease work on the x86 version of Solaris 9 operating system as previously announced. [1225.13]
  • Microsoft releases MSN 8.0. [2280.64]
  • America Online releases AOL 8.0. [2280.64]
October 18
  • The CBS TV network airs the 48 Hours Investigates show. The computer game EverQuest is presented as addictive and dangerous. [2162.30]
October 28
  • Palm introduces the Palm Tungsten T handheld computer. It features voice recorder, Bluetooth wireless support, 16 MB RAM, 3-inch diagonal 320x320 pixel 65,536-color TFT display, Secure Digital slot, USB docking cradle/charger, 175 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP1510 chip (ARM 925 processor), Palm OS 5.0, rechargeable lithium ion battery. Price is US$499; weight is 5.6 ounces; size is 4 x 3 x 0.6 inches. [1273.52] [1220.30] [1559] [1594.87] [1954.56]
  • Palm unveils the Tungsten W handheld computer. It features built-in keyboard, General Packet Radio Service network, 33 MHz Dragonball VZ processor, Palm OS 4.1.1, 320x320 screen. Price is US$549. [1559] [1594.87] [1954.56]
October 29
  • Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard officially unveil the Media Center PC. It features the Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system, and digital video recorder. [1559]
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. An advice card says: "Right clicking your mouse gives you a variety of options while editing documents". [2278]
(month unknown)
  • Sony releases the first dual format DVD rewritable drive, supporting both DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW formats. [1726.30]
November 1
  • U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly conditionally accepts a proposed settlement between Microsoft and the U.S. Justice Department. [1559] [1956.44]
  • ViewSonic releases the ViewSonic Pocket PC V35 handheld computer. It features 300 MHz Intel PXA250 XScale processor, MMC and Secure Digital slot, stylus, 240x320 pixel display. The battery powers the unit for about ten hours. Price is US$299; weight is 4.2 ounces; 4.8 x 3.0 x 0.4 inches. [1277.42] [1559]
  • The WB Television Network airs the Sabrina, the Teenage Witch TV show in the US.
    • In response to a screen-saver's request to help get off a computer, a character says "Sorry, I don't do Windows".
    • Desktop and laptop computers are used, with software "Photo Tweak" to edit images.
    [1998]
November 7
  • In New York, Microsoft officially unveils the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system. [1225.3] [1277.25] [1441.101] [1559] [1897.132] [1955.60] [1956.20]
November 11
  • Microsoft and Samsung announce they will develop a design for a low-cost handheld computer, to feature Microsoft Pocket PC operating system, Samsung 200 MHz ARM9-based S3C2410 processor, 32 MB memory, 3.5-inch display, Secure Digital card support, and size of 4.1 x 2.8 inches. [1559]
November 14
  • Intel launches the 3.06 GHz Pentium 4 processor. It features Hyper-Threading technology, and 133 MHz system bus. The processor is manufactured in a 0.13-micron process. Price is US$637 each in quantities of 1000. [1220.3] [1559] [1594.20] [1648.8] [1774.8]
  • Advanced Micro Devices releases the Athlon XP 2700+ processor, with 333 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$349 each in quantities of 1000. [1648.8] [1774.8]
  • Advanced Micro Devices releases the Athlon XP 2800+ processor, with 333 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$397 each in quantities of 1000. [1648.8] [1774.8]
November
  • Intel releases the 2 GHz Celeron processor. It features 8 kB Level 1 data cache, 12 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 128 kB Level 2 cache, 100 MHz front-side bus, 400 MHz system bus, MMX, SSE, and SSE2 instructions, Rapid Execution engine, 64 GB address space, two pipelined FPUs, up to 3.2 GBps transfer speed. It incorporates 55 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Price is US$103 in quantities of 1000. Code-name during development was Northwood. [1454.124] [1551.20] (September [1897.132])
  • Sun Microsystems posts an early access version of its Solaris 9 x86 operating system on its web site for download. [1225.13]
  • Western Digital announces the 200 GB FireWire drive, the market's largest external hard drive. [1648.42]
November 17
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer appears. [2102]
November 18
  • At the Comdex trade show, Dell Computer announces the Dell Axim X5 handheld computer. It features 300 MHz Intel XScale processor, 32 MB SDRAM, CompactFlash type II slot, Secure Digital and MMC slot, 65,536-color transreflective TFT display, speaker, microphone, Pocket PC 2002 operating system. The rechargeable battery powers the unit for about 8 hours. Weight is 6.9 ounces; size is 5 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches; price is US$249. A model with 400 MHz processor and 64 MB RAM costs US$349. [1277.42] [1559] [1648.87]
November 19
  • At the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, Advanced Micro Devices announces the release name for the processor code-named Clawhammer: AMD Athlon 64. [1559]
November 20
  • Intel releases 2.1 and 2.2 GHz Celeron processors. They include 128 kB level 2 cache and 400 MHz system bus. Prices are US$89 and US$103 respectively, in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
November
  • Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP iPAQ Pocket PC h1910 handheld computer. It features 64 MB RAM, MMC and Secure Digital slot, microphone, speaker, 65,536-color 240x320 pixel backlit TFT display, 200 MHz Intel PXA250 XScale processor, USB cradle and cable, Pocket PC 2002 operating system. The battery powers the unit for about four hours. Price is about US$300; weight is 4.2 ounces; size is 4.5 x 2.8 x 0.5 inches. [1277.42] [1648.87]
November 29
  • Massachusetts' Attorney General Tom Reilly files an appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's ruling of the settlement of the antitrust case against Microsoft. [1225.6] [1559]
(month unknown)
  • Maxtor introduces the DiamondMax Plus 9 hard drive, with areal density of about 64 MB per square inch. [1648.42]
  • IBM announces the Travelstar 80GN hard drive for portable computers. This is the largest hard drive ever for portable computers. Areal density is 70 GB per square inch. [1648.43]
  • The IEEE adopts FireWire 800 as standard IEEE 1394b. [1776.38]
December 23
  • US district court judge J. Frederick Motz orders Microsoft to include Sun Microsystems' Java runtime environment in Windows. Microsoft announces it will appeal the decision. [1272.25] [1559]
December (month)
  • Top selling computer game in the USA for the month: DAOC: Shrouded Isles. [2154.20]
October-December
  • Market share of personal computer shipments worldwide during October to December: Hewlett-Packard 16%, Dell 15.6%, IBM 5.1%. [1559]
  • Total unit sales of notebook computers in Europe from October to December: 3.0 million. [2109.54]
Year
  • Shipments of personal computers worldwide during the year: 136-148 million. [1559]
  • Software shipments in North America on DVD during the year: 685 million units. [1608.12]
  • Unit shipments of personal computers worldwide during the year: Hewlett-Packard 21.5 million, Dell Computer 20.1 million, IBM 7.9 million, NEC 4.6 million, Toshiba 4.2 million. [1469.27]
  • Total computer game sales in the USA for the year: 52.9 million. [2155.20]
  • Market share of personal computers worldwide during the year: Hewlett-Packard 16.2%, Dell Computer 15.2%, IBM 6.0%, NEC 3.4%, Toshiba 3.2%. [1469.27] [1559]
  • Market share of notebook computer processors in the US: Advanced Micro Devices 15%. [1442.25]
  • Market share of PC processor shipments during the year: Intel 83.6%, Advanced Micro Devices 14.9%. [1559] [2087.66]
  • Market share of desktop computer processors in the US: Advanced Micro Devices 22%. [1442.25]
  • Market share of Windows-based personal computer processors in the world during the year: Advanced Micro Devices 19%. [1559]
  • Market share of x86 processors in the world during the year: Advanced Micro Devices 20.2%. [1559]
  • Global software piracy rates: Canada 39%, USA 23%. [1434.1]
  • Total shipments of handheld computers worldwide during the year: 12.1-12.6 million. [1559]
  • Unit shipments of handheld computers worldwide during the year: Palm 4.4 million, Hewlett-Packard 1.6 million. [1559]
  • Unit shipments of handheld computers in the US during the year: Palm 2.75 million, Hewlett-Packard 881,000, Sony 678,000, Handspring 520,000, Toshiba 237,000, Research in Motion 196,000. [1471.27]
  • Market share of handheld computers in the US during the year: Palm 47.5%, Hewlett-Packard 14.7%, Sony 11.3%, Handspring 8.7%, Toshiba 4.0%, Research in Motion 3.3%. [1471.27]
  • Market share of handheld computer operating systems worldwide during the year: Palm OS 55.2%, Windows CE 25.7%. [1559]

End of 2002. Next: 2003.

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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008-2009 2010-end


A list of references to all source material is available.


Last updated: 2023 October 25.
Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/comphist/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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