- August 2
- Apple Computer introduces the dual-processor Power Macintosh 9500/180 MP computer. It features two 180 MHz PowerPC 604e processors, 32 MB RAM, 2 GB hard drive, and 8x CD-ROM drive. price is US$5699. [1034.59] [1039.34] [1559] [1886.70]
- Apple Computer introduces the Power Macintosh 9500/200. It features a 200 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, 32 MB RAM, 2 GB hard drive, 8X CD-ROM drive. [1039.34] [1559]
- Apple Computer introduces the Performa 6400 computer. It features 180 or 200 MHz PowerPC 603e processor, optional 256 kB L2 cache, 16 MB RAM, 1.6 or 2.4 GB hard drive, and two PCI slots. [1039.34] [1559]
- August 5
- Intel releases the 150 MHz mobile Pentium processor, designed for use in portable computers. The processor uses 0.35 micron technology, and operates on 3.3 volts of power externally, while its internal core only requires 3.1 volts. Price is US$341 in quantities of 1000. [62] [503.8] [1559]
- August 12
- Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 Final Release, 32-bit version, for Windows 95. [553.1] [564.13] [576.45] [721.157] [913] [1559]
- Gary Reback, lawyer for Netscape Communications, sends a letter to the Justice Department accusing Microsoft of anticompetitive behavior in its pursuit of market share in web browser software. [1559] [1711.5]
- August
- Power Computing ships the PowerTower Pro 225 Macintosh-compatible computer. It features 225 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, 2 GB hard drive, IMS TwinTurbo accelerated graphics adapter, 8X CD-ROM, 32 MB RAM, 1 MB Level 2 cache, Ethernet port, and six expansion slots. Price is US$4995. [884.37] [1039.34] [1559]
- Power Computing ships the PowerTower Pro 200 Macintosh-compatible computer. It features 200 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, 2 GB hard drive, IMS TwinTurbo accelerated graphics adapter, 8X CD-ROM, 32 MB RAM, 1 MB Level 2 cache, Ethernet port, and six expansion slots. Price is US$4495. [884.37] [1039.34]
- Power Computing ships the PowerTower 200e Macintosh-compatible computer. It features 200 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, 2 GB hard drive, 4X CD-ROM, 2 MB video RAM, 16 MB RAM, 512 kB Level 2 cache. Price is US$3595. [1039.34]
- Power Computing ships the PowerTower 180e Macintosh-compatible computer. It features 180 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, 2 GB hard drive, 4X CD-ROM, 2 MB video RAM, 16 MB RAM, 512 kB Level 2 cache. Price is US$3295. [1039.34]
- UMAX introduces the UMAX SuperMac C600/240 computer. It features 240 MHz PowerPC 604e processor, 8X CD-ROM drive, 28.8 kbps modem, 1 MB video RAM, 24 MB RAM, 2.1 GB IBM IDE hard drive, 256 kB L2 cache, three PCI splots. Price is US$2295. [1135.22] [1244.108]
- Microsoft releases OEM Service Release 2 for Windows 95. [726.218] [721.157] (late in year [780.54])
- Robert Frankenberg resigns as president and CEO of Novell. [554.1] [562.3] [564.13]
- Apple Computer cancels development work on its Copland and Gershwin operating system projects. [1559] [1597.87] [1721.29] [1880.20]
- Hewlett-Packard introduces the Vectra XW line of workstations. They are based on 200 MHz Pentium Pro processors and Windows NT Workstation operating systems. [554.25]
- Apple Computer, IBM, Netscape, Oracle, and Sun Microsystems introduce the network computer idea. [1110.228]
- August 19
- Netscape Communications releases Netscape Navigator 3.0. [919] [1559]
- August 24
- Microsoft releases Windows NT 4.0, with graphical user interface similar to that of Windows 95. The software comprises 16.5 million lines of code. Code-name during development was Cairo. [721.157] [779.42] [1182.166] [1241.19] [1526.87] [1559] [1648.53] [1897.131] (July 31 [847.13] [1639.125])
- September 3
- Iomega announces the Ditto tape backup drive. It features 2 GB storage capacity, backward-compatibility with other tape formats Drive price is US$149.95 (internal) and US$199.95 (external); cartridge price is about US$20. [1559]
- September 5
- Syria issues an 18-pound postage stamp for the 5th anniversary of NICE, depicting a personal computer. [2529.382]
- September
- Hewlett-Packard unveils the Vectra XM and Vectra VL series of Pentium-powered computers. [563.37]
- Adaptec, IBM, and Seagate announce the merger of FC-AL (Fibre Channel – Arbitrated Loop) and SSA into the Fibre Channel – Enhanced Loop peripheral interface specification. [1012.92]
- Hewlett-Packard introduces and ships the OmniBook 800 notebook portable computer. It features a 133 MHz Pentium processor, PCI bus, 10.4-inch active matrix screen, 16 MB RAM, 1.44 GB drive, and weighs 3.75 pounds. Price is US$4850. CD-ROM and docking station are optional. [563.33]
- The US Department of Justice announces it is opening a formal investigation to determine if Microsoft is violating its consent decree by bundling Internet Explorer with Windows. [929.48] [939.64] [1462.94] [1564.266]
- The IBM Personal Computer Company releases the IBM Series 365, the first IBM PCs with an option for dual Intel processors. [571.10]
- September 16
- Microsoft unveils Windows CE operating system for handheld computers. Code-name of the project was Pegasus. “CE” stands for Consumer Electronics. [565.32] [599.4] [1244.36]
- The British Virgin Islands issues a 10-cent postage stamp for the 50th anniversary of UNICEF, depicting a personal computer. [2529.1046]
- September 17
- Motorola announces its entry into the Power Macintosh clone market, by unveiling the StarMax series, featuring the PowerPC 603e and 604e processors, operating at 166 MHz and 200 MHz. [565.29] [571.18] [1244.108]
- September 19
- Apple Computer releases the System 7.5.5 Macintosh operating system. [1559]
- September 24
- Netscape Communications releases the Navigator Personal Edition 3.0 web broswer, for US$50, and the Navigator Gold Personal Edition 3.0 for US$80. [1559]
- September 25
- IBM launches OS/2 Warp 4, in San Francisco, California. New features include Java technology, voice recognition software, and Open32 Win32 APIs. Price is US$249; upgrade is US$149. It is the first operating system to include built-in speech navigation and recognition. [566.94] [607.62] [1158.142] [1323] [1559] (October [573.109])
- Microsoft releases DirectX 3.0 to software developers. Included is support for multimedia, multiplayer online games, 3D positional sound, and more input device support. [1559] [1774.48]
- September 27
- Djibouti issues a 150 franc postage stamp for World Telecommunications Day, depicting a personal computer. [2375.68] [2405.802]
- July-September
- Market share of personal computers in the world for July to September: Apple Computer 5.5%. [1559]
- Market share of personal computers in the U.S. for July to September: Apple Computer 7%. [1559]
- Shipments of personal computers in Japan during July to September: 1.75 million. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- NEC announces it will no longer build Windows NT-based computers for the MIPS processor platform. [1075.36]
- October 2
- Umax announces the SuperMac S900DP/180 Mac-compatible computer. It features dual 180 MHz PowerPC 604e processors, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 32 MB RAM, 4 MB video RAM, 128-bit IMS graphics accelerator, 8X CD-ROM drive, 2.1 GB hard drive, six PCI card slots, five drive bays, Ethernet connectors. Price is US$4695. [1559]
- October
- Apple Computer introduces the PowerBook 1400 series, featuring removable modular CD-ROM drive and flip-up keyboard. [739.130]
- Seagate Technology introduces the Cheetah ST19101 9.1 GB 10,000 RPM disc drive. [227]
- A group of disk drive and media manufacturers announce an agreement to produce CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) drives and media. The companies in the consortium are Hewlett-Packard, Mitsubishi/Verbatim, Philips, Ricoh, and Sony. [574.22] [849.18] [1135.22]
- Microsoft begins shipping Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2) for new systems, with optional 32-bit File Allocation Table (FAT32), Internet Explorer 3.0, drivers for 120 MB Floptical drive and Zip drive, and support for Pentium MMX. [1158.255] [1588.44] [1639.127]
- Microsoft ships the Visual J++ Professional Edition development kit, for US$99. [573.21]
- Microsoft distributes 3,5000 Alpha test copies of Windows NT 5.0 to software developers. [1032.19]
- Microsoft releases Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 Update Release, 32-bit version, for Windows 95. [913]
- October 17
- Microsoft announces it will cease development of Windows NT for systems using MIPS processors, due to decreasing demand. [779.42] [1075.36] [1559]
- October 18
- Apple Computer introduces the Apple Performa 6360 CD computer. It features 160 MHz PowerPC 603e processor, 8X CD-ROM drive, 28.8 kbps modem, 1 MB video RAM, 16 MB RAM, 1.2 GB Quantum IDE hard drive, one PCI slot, and over 24 applications and 15 CD-ROM discs. Price is US$1499. [1135.22] [1559]
- Apple computer introduces the Performa 6400/200 “Video Editing Edition”. It features 200 MHz 603e PowerPC processor, 32 MB RAM, 2.4 GB hard drive, 1 MB video RAM, 28.8 kbps modem, 8X CD-ROM drive, 256 kB level-2 cache, Avid Cinema video editing software, and over 24 applications and 15 CD-ROM discs. Price is US$2699. [1559]
- October 21
- In San Hose, California, the 1996 Microprocessor Forum is held, over four days. [292]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Motorola and IBM announce the 240 MHz PowerPC 603e microprocessor. [1559]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Exponential Technology debuts the 533 MHz X704 PowerPC compatible processor for the Macintosh OS and Windows NT microcomputers. [619.30] [1559] [1671.D7]
- October 22
- Borland International announces it is transferring future development of the Paradox database program to Corel. [1559]
- October
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced Micro Devices announces the K6 processor, optimized for 16 and 32-bit code, supporting MMX, and including 32 kB cache memory. The chip will plug into a standard Pentium socket. [619.30]
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Cyrix announces the M2 processor, optimized for 16 and 32-bit code, supporting MMX, and including 64 kB cache memory. The chip will plug into a standard Pentium socket. [619.30]
- October 23
- At the Microprocessor Forum, Digital Equipment demonstrates the Digital 21264 Alpha processor operating at 500 MHz. [1559]
- October
- Umax Computer begins shipping SuperMac C500 and C600 Macintosh systems. [1135.22] [1244.108]
- October 28
- Apple Computer unveils the MessagePad 2000 computer. It features 1 MB DRAM, 5 MB Flash RAM, 2 Type II PC Card slots, backlit 480×320 100 dpi display, size 4.7 x 8.3 inches, Newton OS 2.1, 1.4 pound weight, and 161.9 MHz StrongARM 110 RISC processor. It runs on four AA batteries. [1012.44] [2605.199] (November [899.45])
- Microsoft and Intel announce plans to develop the NetPC specification. [1144.171]
- October 29
- Sun Microsystems launches Java Enterprise Computing and announces JavaStation network computers. [948.104] [1144.171]
- (month unknown)
- LG Electronics introduces the LG HPC GP40M handheld computer. It features a Hitachi SH3 processor, 480×240 LCD screen, one Type 2 PC Card slot, 4 MB RAM, 4 MB ROM with Windows CE, fax modem, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.5 x 3.8 x 1.1 inches; weight is 0.77 pounds; price is about US$650. The systems runs for about 15 hours on two A batteries. [1075.135]
- Adobe announces PostScript 3. [815.40]
- Quote by Scott McNealy, chairman and CEO of Sun Microsystems: “When the anthropologists dust off the 1980s and 1990s and look at the productivity dip, they’re going to blame [Microsoft] Office.”. [1075.40]
- Metrowerks releases the CodeWarrior 10 development tool for the Macintosh. Supported target platforms include Motorola 68000, PowerPC, MagicCap, Pilot PDA, Windows 95, Windows NT, BeBox, PowerTV, Sony Playstation, using C, C++, Object Pascal, and Java. Price is US$399. [1075.47]
- November
- Apple Computer unveils the eMate 300 mobile computer. [899.45]
- November 4
- Corel ships the CorelDraw 7 software for Windows. Price is US$695; upgrade price is US$249. [1559]
- November 5
- Microsoft releases the first beta-test version of Internet Explorer 3.0 for the Macintosh. It features support for HTML 3.2, Java applets, and Cascading Style Sheets. [1559]
- November 7
- Philippe Kahn, founder of Borland International, resigns as a member of the board of directors. [1559]
- November 11
- Adobe Systems releases the Photoshop 4.0 image editing software for Windows 95, 3.1, NT, Macintosh, and PowerMacintosh systems. Price is US$895. [1559]
- November 13
- Advanced Micro Devices begins limited shipments of its K6 processor with MMX instructions, at speeds of 166 to 200 MHz. [1559]
- November 15
- The Republic of China issues a postage stamp showing a woman in a wheelchair working at a personal computer. [2405.294]
- November
- SanDisk begins shipping DoubleDensity multilevel-cell flash memory. [941.59] [1000.28]
- Enorex Microsystems introduces the Enorex Ultra PC line of Digital Equipment Alpha processor-based workstations. The systems offer 366 MHz to 500 MHz speeds, and come with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation. Prices start at US$3000. [587.25]
- Casio Computer ships the Cassiopeia, a handheld computer running Windows CE. [605.6]
- Egghead Software decides to stop selling Macintosh software at about two-thirds of its US retail stores. [1559]
- November 18
- In Las Vegas, Nevada, the Fall ’96 COMDEX trade show is held, over five days. 200,000 people attend. [1012.142] [1135.19] [1253.166]
- At the Comdex show, Intel CEO and President Andrew Grove predicts that by 2011, Intel processors will integrate one billion transistors and operate at 10 GHz and 100,000 MIPS. [1559]
- At the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Microsoft officially launches Windows CE 1.0 for handheld microcomputers. It includes includes a personal information manager, limited versions of Word and Excel, and an email client. [947.151] [1444.46] [1559] [1253.166] [1648.53] [1897.131] [2605.202]
- November 20
- Libya issues two postage stamps (100 and 200 dinar) depicting personal computers. [2492.71]
- November
- IBM shows a prototype Professional Workstation at Fall COMDEX, with a 16.1-inch color active-matrix flat-panel LCD screen. [605.27]
- Microsoft unveils Microsoft Office 97 at Fall COMDEX. Prices: standard edition US$499 (upgrade US$209), professional edition US$599 (upgrade US$309). [605.14]
- IBM shows a 300 MHz version of the PowerPC processor at Fall COMDEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. [605.3]
- Compaq Computer ships the Compaq PC Companion handheld computer. It features a Hitachi SH3 processor, 480×240 pixel backlit LCD, one Type 2 PC Card slot, 2-6 MB RAM, 4 MB ROM with Windows CE, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.8 x 3.6 x 1 inches, weight is 0.89 pounds, price is about US$500-700. The system runs on 2 AA batteries for up to 20 hours, [604.139] [605.6] [1075.135]
- NEC Computer Systems introduces the NEC MobilePro 400 handheld computer. It features NEC VR 4104 processor, 480×240 LCD screen, one 2 PC Card, 4 MB RAM, 70: 8 MB ROM with Windows CE, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.9 x 3.7 x 1 inches; weight is 0.85 pounds; price is about US$650. [605.6] [1075.133]
- Hitachi Home Electronics ships the Hitachi Handheld computer, running Windows CE. [605.6]
- Eidos releases the Tomb Raider game for Windows-based personal computers. [1489.71] [1684.86]
- November 27
- Apple Computer engineers and a manager meet with NeXT managers to investigate possibility of using OPENSTEP OS for future Mac computers. [2605.276]
- (month unknown)
- Novell releases NetWare 4.11 network operating system. Code-name during development was Green River. [1075.137]
- Cyrix ships the 133 MHz Media GX processor, integrating SVGA graphics, DRAM controller, and PCI controller. [1092.64]
- Adobe releases Acrobat 3.0 for the Macintosh. Price is US$295. [1593.38]
- December 1
- Bandai Digital Entertainment introduces the @World entertainment system in the US. It features 66 MHz PowerPC 603 processor, 5 MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM drive, 28.8 kbps modem, Mac OS System 7.5.2 in 1 MB of RAM, controller with trackball and buttons, video output to TV (NTSC format). The system is based on Apple Computer’s Pippin technology. Price is US$499. [1034.40A] [597]
- December 2
- Steve Jobs meets with senior Apple Computer managers to convince them that NeXT technology is right for Apple. [2605.277]
- December 4
- At the Handheld PDA Expo in San Mateo, California, Microsoft announces that the Windows CE operating system will support Motorola MPC 821 and 823 PowerPC processors, and ARM processors from Digital Equipment and Cirrus Logic. [1559]
- December 9
- Microsoft releases the final version of Internet Explorer 3.0 web browser for Windows 3.1. [1559]
- The Public Broadcasting System airs the Arthur TV show in the USA. A child plays an underwater shooting game on a personal computer, using the keyboard and mouse. [2211]
- December
- Opera Software releases the Opera v2.1 web browser. [932]
- A New York jury awards US$5.3 million to a secretary who claims her wrists were injured by a Digital Equipment computer keyboard. [786.63]
- SyQuest Technology introduces the SyJet removable storage device. Internal unit costs US$399, external SCSI is US$499. External parallel port is US$529. 1.5 GB cartridges cost US$124.99. [1012.48]
- Blizzard releases the Diablo computer game in the USA. [2530.50]
- December 16
- Adobe Systems begins shipping PageMaker 6.5 for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0. Price is US$895; upgrade price is US$99. [1448.147] [1559]
- IBM and Motorola announce they will halt development and sales of Windows NT-based PowerPC systems. [886.53] [1559] [1597.87] [1674.D4]
- December 17
- At the Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the “Option Red” supercomputer is started up, performing one trillion floating-point operations per second, making it the fastest computer in the world. The US$55 million computer uses 9072 Intel Pentium Pro processors with 600 GB memory and 2 terabyte disc storage. [29.70] [1675.D12] [1680.86]
- December 20
- Apple Computer announces it will buy the NeXT Software company for about US$400 million in cash and Apple stock. NeXT Software CEO Steve Jobs will become an advisor to Apple chairman and CEO Gilbert Amelio. [616.16] [637.1] [763.26] [882.25] [889.35] [1091.20] [1205.35] [1559] [1676.37] [1897.131] [1938.D2] [2605.266] (late spring 1996 [886.52])
- December 31
- IBM announces it has developed a hard drive storing 5 gigabits per square inch. Drives could be released for sale in a few years. [1677.D2]
- Shipments of Windows 95 operating system to date: about 65 million. [1423.239]
- October-December
- Market share of personal computers in the US during September to December: Compaq Computer 14%, IBM 9.6%, Packard Bell 8.5%, Dell Computer 8, Gateway 2000 7.1%, Toshiba 6.9%, Hewlett-Packard 6.7%, Apple Computer 5.2%, Acer 4.2%, NEC 2.8%. [1559]
- Shipments of personal computers in the US during September to December: 7.7 million. [1559]
- Year
- Worldwide shipments of PalmPilot handheld computers for the year: about 350,000. [890.9]
- Shipments of handheld computers in the US for the year: 1.4-1.9 million. [839.28] [945.232] [1559] [1643.28]
- Worldwide handheld computer sales: about 2.4 million. [890.9] (2.6 million [945.232])
- Personal computer chipset shipments in the US during the year: Intel 40.2 million, Silicon Integrated Systems 8.4 million, Acer Labs 5.6 million, OPTi 4.2 million, VIA Technologies 3.9 million, total 71.4 million. [1627.33]
- Shipments of print/scan/fax/copy multi-function peripherals in the US for the year: 700,000. Revenue: US$1.1 billion. [1010.28]
- Market share of office software application suites: Microsoft Office 66%, Lotus SmartSuite 27%, Corel WordPerfect Office 7%. [1008.62] [1009.67]
- 36 percent of US households have a personal computer. [1632.6]
- Market share of Web browsers in the US during the year: Netscape 54.6%, Internet Explorer 29.5%. [1683.48]
- Total US households with a personal computer: 40 million. [1633.6]
- Network operating system market share: NetWare 30.7%, Windows NT Server 22.7%, Unix (all types) 19.1%, IBM OS/2 10.7%, others 16.8%. [1142.58]
- Personal computer market share for the year: Apple Computer Macintosh 6.5%. [883.19]
- Worldwide notebook computer sales for the year: 11 million. [904.191]
- Worldwide shipments of personal computers for the year: 70.9 million. [948.9] [1896.D2]
- US shipments of CD-R drives for the year: about 1.9 million. [1158.152]
- US shipments of CD-ROM drives for the year: about 27 million. [1158.152]
- Shipments of personal computers worldwide during the year: Compaq Computer 7.1 million, IBM 6.09 million, Packard Bell NEC 4.3 million. [1896.D2]
- Worldwide personal computer market share: Compaq Computer 10.1%, IBM 8.6%, Packard Bell/NEC 6%, Apple Computer 5.5%, Dell Computer 4%, Hewlett-Packard 4%. [948.9] [1895.S3.16] [1896.D2]
- Shipments of personal computer operating systems for the year: 82 million. [886.39]
- Market share of computer microprocessors, by revenue: Intel 88%, Advanced Micro Devices 12%. [1559] [1752.116]
- Market share of computer microprocessors, by unit shipments: Intel 77%. [1559]
- Market share of x86 computer microprocessors: Intel 93.9-95%. [1559] [1575.52] [1627.33]
- Shipments of personal computer operating systems for the year: Windows NT 4 million. [886.39]
- Personal computer operating system market share for the year: Microsoft Windows and DOS 86% (Window 95 18%, Windows NT 3%), Mac OS 4.6%. [886.39] [1460.234]
- Market share of personal computer operating systems in the US during the year: Microsoft Windows and DOS 87%, Mac OS 5.6%. [1683.48]
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