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Seagate ST506 Hard Disk Drive
in 1980, Seagate Technologies developed the first hard disk drive: the ST506. The disk basically put floppy disks to shame by not only fitting in the floppy disk port, but it also held five times the amount of data on it in comparison: 5 megabytes. -
IBM Introduces its Personal Computer (PC)
The first IBM PC, the IBM Model 5150 was released in 1981. It used Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system. This PC lead to the creation of software, peripherals, and commodities used on the platform in the future. -
Commodore Introduces the Commodore 64
In 1982, the C 64 was released for $595 dollars. The computer included 64 KB of random access memory and featured graphics (often used to play games) unheard of at the time. By the time it was discontinued in 1993, over 22 million units were sold, making it the greatest selling computer of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records. -
Apple Introduces the Lisa Computer
In 1983, Apple introduced the Lisa Computer, the first computer with graphical user interface (GUI). It ran on a Motorolla 68000 with 1 MB of random access memory and had a 12 in black-and-white monitor. This computer paved the pathway for both Macintosh and Windows, making the GUI as their user interface the new normal for personal computers. -
Apple Launches the Macintosh
During a Super Bowl commercial in 1984, Apple introduced its brand new personal computer the Macintosh. The Macintosh was the first successful mouse-driven computer and was again based on a Motorolla 68000 microprocessor. The pc ran for $2,500. -
The Amiga 1000 is Released
in 1985, celebrities like Andy Warhol and Debbie Harry (from the musical group Blondie) promoted a new computer system, the Amiga 1000, invented by Jay Miner. This computer had extravagant audio visual capabilities and allowed several add on capabilities. This computer usually sold for $1,295. -
The Connection Machine
Daniel Hillis introduced the controversial Connection Machine CM-1 in 1986. This machine had 65,536 micro-processors and completed billions of operations per second. Each processor had its own memory linked with the others in a "brain-like associative recall." -
Personal System 2 (PS2) Machines are Brought to the Public
The PS2 is the first computer with a 3.5 inch floppy disk and video graphics array (VGA), setting the standard for all IBM computers. -
The NeXT Cube
After being pushed out of Apple, Steve Jobs created a new company called NeXT. The first product they produced was the NeXT Cube. The NeXT cube was a black cube with three motorolla microprocessors and 8 MB of random access data. It also included a MO disk drive and a digital signal processor. NeXT was bought by Apple in 1996. -
Macintosh Portables are Introduced
Some may call the Macintosh Portable the first laptop; Apple wanted to encourage their buyers to take their Macs on the go. The Macintosh Portable weighed an astounding 16 pounds and sold for $6,500. Sales did not go well despite high praise. It was discontinued two years later.
