- January 8
- Gateway warns that fourth quarter sales results will be 17 percent below expectations. Its stock value drops 25%. [1772.40]
- IBM announces it will no longer manufacture desktop personal computers in most of the world. It will sell its desktop facilities in US and Europe to Sanmina-SCI. [1772.40]
- January 10
- Royal Consumer Information Products announces the Royal Lin@x handheld computer. It features 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor, Linux operating system, color screen, CompactFlash Type II slot, MP3 player, serial port, USB port. Price is to be US$299 when available in the US by mid-year. [1559]
- January 15
- Sony Electronics introduces the Sony Clié PEG-T615C handheld computer, replacing the PEG-N610C. It features 65,536-color 320×320 pixel backlit TFT display, 16 MB RAM, Memory Stick expansion slot, USB connection, Palm OS 4.1, universal remote control. The lithium ion polymer battery powers the system for about 12 days. Price is about US$400; weight is 6 ounces; size is 4.8 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches. [1256.56] [1559]
- Sony announces the Clie PEG-S360 handheld computer, replacing the PEG-S320. It features Palm OS, 16 MB RAM, Memory Stick port. Price is US$199. [1559]
- January
- Sun Microsystems announces plans to cease work on the x86 version of Solaris 9 operating system. (Sun reverses its decision in October.) [1225.13]
- Intel introduces the 2.0 GHz Xeon DP processor. It features 8 kB Level 1 data cache, 12 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 533 MHz system bus, two pipelined FPUs, 64 GB address space. The processor includes MMX, SSE, SSE2, and Hyper-Threading instructions, and incorporates 55 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Code-name during development was Prestonia. [1278.114] [1454.124]
- Intel introduces the 1.5 GHz Xeon MP processor. It features 8 kB Level 1 data cache, 12 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 400 MHz system bus, two pipelined FPUs, 64 GB address space. The processor includes MMX, SSE, and SSE2 instructions, and incorporates 240 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Code-name during development was Gallatin. [1454.124]
- Motorola introduces the 600 MHz PowerPC G4 processor. It features 32 kB Level 1 data cache, 32 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 256 kB Level 2 cache, 133 MHz system bus, five pipelined FPUs, 64 GB address space. The processor includes AltiVec instructions, and incorporates 33 million transistors in a 0.18-micron process. [1454.124]
- Microsoft releases Windows Media Player 7.1 for the Mac OS operating system. [1559]
- January 22
- America Online, on behalf of Netscape Communications, files an antitrust suit against Microsoft regarding web browser issues. [1433.3] [1773.62]
- Intel releases 850 and 866 MHz low-voltage Pentium III-M processors. The processor is manufactured with a 0.13-micron process. [1559]
- Intel releases a 750 MHz ultra-low voltage Pentium III-M processor. The processor is manufactured with a 0.13-micron process. [1559]
- Intel releases 1.06 to 1.2 GHz mobile Celeron processors. The processor is manufactured with a 0.13-micron process. [1559]
- Intel releases a 650 MHz ultra-low voltage Celeron processor. The processor is manufactured with a 0.13-micron process. [1559]
- Advanced Micro Devices releases a 1.3 GHz Duron processor. Price is US$118 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- January 28
- Apple Computer begins shipping a Power Mac with two 1 GHz processors. It features 512 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive. Price is US$2999. [1559] [2212.21]
- Apple Computer begins shipping a Power Mac with a 933 MHz processor. It features 256 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive, DVD recording drive, Nvidia GeForce 4 MX graphics card. Price is US$2299. [1559]
- Apple Computer begins shipping a Power Mac with a 800 MHz PowerPC processor. It features 256 MB RAM, 40 GB hard drive, CD-RW drive, ATI Radeon 7500 graphics card. Price is US$1599. [1559]
- January 29
- Handspring begins selling its Treo 180 and 180g handheld computers in Hong Kong. [1559]
- January 30
- Advanced Micro Devices introduces the 1.1 and 1.2 GHz Duron processors. They feature PowerNow technology. Prices are US$130 and US$160, respectively. [1559]
- January 31
- Handspring begins selling its Treo 180 and 180g handheld computers in Singapore. Price is S$968 (about US$525). [1559]
- (month unknown)
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the Mobile AMD Athlon 4 1500+ processor. It features 1.3 GHz operation, 200 MHz front-side bus, QuantiSpeed architecture. Price is US$525 in quantity. [1275.34]
- February 6
- Nvidia releases the GeForce4 Ti, GeForce4 MX, and GeForce4 440 Go graphics chips, and GeForce4 Titanium card. [1559] [2212.21]
- February 10
- Handspring begins selling its Treo 180 and 180g handheld computers in the US. Price is US$399. [1559]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
- A personal computer with modem is demonstrated with alternate modem connection noise.
- On a standard-looking PC keyboard, the only key labelled is “SEND”, instead of “ENTER”.
- Another computer is shown, receiving email.
[2082]
- February
- IBM discontinues the TransNote portable computer. [1559]
- At the Intel Developer Forum, Intel vice president Louis Burns announces Balanced Technology Extended (BTX) motherboard form factor, as a proposed replacement for Advanced Technology Extended (ATX). The main purpose is to make cooling more efficient, and to better allow for emerging technologies. [1599.38]
- Apple Computer buys the Nothing Real company, maker of the Shake compositing software. [1259.24]
- Quark releases the QuarkXPress 5.0 software for the Macintosh. [1871.61]
- February 19
- Be company sues Microsoft for destruction of its business. [2605.276]
- February 20
- Apple Computer releases the Mac OS 10.1.3 operating system. New additions include support for several digital cameras and CD burners. [1559]
- February 21
- Cuba issues a 65 centavos postage stamp depicting a personal computer. [2405.643]
- February 24
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A cowboy’s house includes a personal computer encased in leather. [2083]
- March 3
- Palm introduces the Palm m515 handheld computer, replacing the m505. It features 2.2 x 2.2 inch active-matrix TFT 65,536-color display, USB docking cradle/recharger, Secure Digital slot, Palm OS, 16 MB RAM. The lithium ion battery powers the unit for about one week. Price is US$399; weight is 5.2 ounces. [1274.29] [1548.17] [1559]
- Palm introduces the Palm m130 handheld computer. It features 1.8 x 1.8 inch 160×160 pixel transreflective STN 65,536-color display, USB docking cradle/recharger, Secure Digital slot, Palm OS, 8 MB RAM. The lithium ion battery powers the unit for about one week. Price is US$279. [1274.29] [1548.17] [1559]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. In the year 3000, a robot tells a scary story about an unplugged computer, “…an image stayed on the screen. It was… the Windows logo!”. [1967]
- March 4
- Intel releases the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M, in speeds of 1.6 and 1.7 GHz. The processor consumes 1.3 volts. Prices are US$401 (1.6 GHz) and US$508 (1.7 GHz) in 1000-unit quantities. [1275.34] [1276.47]
- Handspring begins selling its Treo handheld computer in Europe. [1559]
- March 5
- Handspring resumes selling the Visor Platinum handheld computer, for US$169. [1559]
- March 7
- Sony announces it will release a Linux development kit for the PlayStation 2 on May 22. The US$200 kit will include a 40 GB hard drive, Ethernet adapter, mouse, and keyboard. [1599] [1579.8]
- March 8
- Sun Microsystems files a private antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California. The lawsuit seeks US$1 billion damages, a preliminary injunction requiring Microsoft to ship Java with Windows XP and Internet Explorer, the release of source code for Internet Explorer, and the release of interfaces between Windows and higher-level Microsoft source code. [1559] [1945.34]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A personal computer appears, with monitor and keyboard attached to the system unit, but not a portable computer. [1985]
- March 11
- In Japan, Sony announces the Clié PEG-NR70 and PEG-NR70V handheld computers. They features keyboard, 3.8-inch screen, 320×480 pixel 16-bit color screen, Palm OS, remote control software and infrared port, digital audio player, 16 MB RAM, 66 MHz Motorola Dragonball SuperVZ processor, Memory Stick slot, rechargeable lithium-polymer batteries. Size is 5.4 x 2.8 x 0.7 inches; weight is 7 ounces. The unit is to be on sale March 23. The PEG-NR70V includes a built-in digital camera, and is to be on sale April 13. [1559] [1843.34]
- March 13
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the Athlon XP 2100+ processor. Price is US$420 in 1000-unit quantities. [1551.8] [1559]
- March
- Intel announces production of the first functional static-RAM chip manufactured with 90-nanometre wide transistor lines. 330 million transistors can be built on a 109 square millimetre die, for storage of 52-megabits. [1274.6]
- Sun Microsystems releases the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition, Version 1.4. [1579.8]
- March 27
- In New York, Sony announces it will begin selling its Clie PEG-NR70 and PEG-NR70V in the US in early May, for US$500 and US$600 respectively. [1559]
- March 31
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer is shown at a phone company. [2084]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. A video commercial is a parody of the 1984 advertisement for the Apple Macintosh computer. [1968]
- January-March
- Total unit sales of notebook computers in Europe from January to March: 2.1 million. [2109.54]
- Total shipments of personal computers worldwide during January to March: 33.9 million. [1716.26]
- Market share of Intel-compatible microprocessors during January-March: Advanced Micro Devices 18.2%. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- U.S. Federal District Court Judge John Coughenour denies Microsoft’s request for a preliminary injunction against Lindows.com, allowing the company to to continue selling its operating system under the name Lindows. Microsoft claimed the similarity between Windows and Lindows would confuse customers and dilute its trademark for Windows products. The judge questions the validity of the trademark of the word Windows. [1197.18]
- April 2
- Intel releases the 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, with 400 MHz front-side bus. Price is US$562 in 1000-unit quantities. [1551.8] [1559]
- April 3
- Sharp Electronics releases the Zaurus SL-5500 handheld computer in the US. It features the Lineo version of the Linux operating system, Intel 206 MHz StrongARM processor, 64 MB RAM, CompactFlash slot, Secure Digital slot, 320×240 pixel resolution 16-bit color screen, tiny keyboard, lithium-ion battery. Price is US$500; weight is 6.8 ounces. [1559] [1713.34] [1863.12] [1946.23]
- April 7
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. A portable computer appears, looking like an Apple Computer model. [2276]
- April
- Advanced Micro Devices introduces the 1.3 GHz Mobile Athlon XP 1300+ 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 200 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]
- Intel introduces the 650 MHz Mobile Celeron LV processor. It features 16 kB Level 1 data cache, 16 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 256 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. Code-name during development was Tualatin. [1454.124]
- To date, about one billion personal computers have been shipped worldwide. [1240.25] [1714.7]
- April 16
- Adobe Systems ships the Photoshop 7.0 graphics software for Windows and Macintosh computers. [1559]
- April 17
- Advanced Micro Devices announces the Mobile Athlon XP 1400+ (1.2 GHz), 1500+ (1.3 and 1.33 GHz), 1600+ (1.4 GHz), and 1700+ (1.47 GHz) processors. They feature 200 or 266 MHz bus (1700+ is 266 MHz only). The processors are manufactured with a 0.13-micron technology, based on the processor core code-named Thoroughbred. [1559]
- April 19
- At auction, an Apple I computer with 9-inch amber monitor and Magnavox cassette player, sells for US$14,000. [1559] (April 21 [2605.7])
- April 22
- Compaq Computer announces it has sold 2 million iPaq computers in the two years it has been selling them. [1559]
- April
- Advanced Micro Devices’ CEO Jerry Sanders resigns the position, remaining as chairman through the end of 2003. [1559]
- April 28
- Brazil issues a postage stamp showing a personal computer. [2404.1049]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Several personal computers are shown. [2085]
- April 29
- Apple Computer announces the Apple eMac computer, for the educational market only. It features 700 MHz G4 processor, 128 MB CDROM, 40 GB hard drive, CD-RW drive, 17-inch monitor, nVidia GeForce2 MX video card, five USB ports, two FireWire ports, built-in speakers and microphone, keyboard, mouse, OS X 10.1.5. Price is US$1099. [1276.36] [1559] [1873.34] [1886.72] [2212.23]
- April (month)
- Top selling computer game in the United Kingdom for the month: The Sims On Holiday by Electronic Arts. [1857.16]
- (month unknown)
- Caldera, Conectiva, SuSE, and TurboLinux form UnitedLinux to develop and market a single uniform distribution of Linux. [1581.8]
- Research in Motion introduces the RIM BlackBerry 5810 handheld computer. It features backlit monochrome display, keyboard, phone. Price is about US$500; weight is 4.7 ounces; size is 4.6 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches. [1281.42]
- Toshiba America Information Systems introduces the Toshiba Pocket PC e310 handheld computer. It features 65,536-color reflective TFT display, 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor, microphone, speaker, USB cradle/charger, 32 MB RAM, Secure Digital slot, Pocket PC 2002 operating system. Price is about US$400; weight is 5 ounces. [1281.45]
- May 3
- Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Computer complete their merger. [1240.49] [1559] (May 7 [1947.54] [1948.45])
- May 6
- In San Jose, California, the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference is held. Steve Jobs unveils the latest Mac OS version, code-named Jaguar, and the iChat software. QuickTime 6 and QuickTime Broadcaster are released to developers. [1281.27] [1871.18] [2212.23]
- Intel releases the 2.26, 2.4 and 2.53 GHz Pentium 4 processors, with 533 MHz front-side bus. Prices are US$423, US$562, and US$637, respectively. [1551.8] [1559]
- May 15
- Intel releases the 1.7 GHz Celeron processor. It features 8 kB Level 1 data cache, 12 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 128 kB Level 2 cache, 400 MHz system bus, MMX, SSE, and SSE2 instructions, 64 GB address space, two pipelined FPUs. It incorporates 42 million transistors in a 0.18-micron process. Code-name during development was Willamette. Price is US$83 in 1000-unit quantities. [1454.124] [1559]
- Intel releases the 1.4 GHz Celeron processor. It features 100 MHz bus, 256 kB cache, 0.13-micron technology. Price is US$89 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- May 17
- Indonesia issues a 1000 rupiah postage stamp for a telecommunications issue, depicting a computer screen and system tower. [2422.959]
- May 22
- Sun Microsystems announces Solaris 9 operating system. [1559]
- May 27
- Handspring releases the Treo 270 handheld computer. It features 12-bit 40996-color display, 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball processor, keyboard, cell phone, 16 MB RAM. Size is 4.2 x 2.8 x 0.8 inches; weight is 5.4 ounces; price is US$499, including one-year cell phone service contract. [1559] [1714.45]
- Handspring releases the Treo 90 handheld computer. It features color screen, Palm 4.1 OS, 16 MB RAM, keyboard, Secure Digital slot. [1559]
- May 29
- IEEE 1394 is officially renamed FireWire. [2212.25]
- May 31
- Market value of Microsoft: US$275.7 billion, second highest in the world. [1950.59]
- (month unknown)
- Intel announces the Itanium 2 processor. 900 MHz version with 1.5 MB level 3 cache is priced at US$1338. 1 GHz version with 3 MB level 3 cache is priced at US$4226. Code-name during development was McKinley. [1714.27]
- June 4
- Apple Computer makes the eMac computer available to consumers. [2212.25]
- June
- Toshiba releases the Pocket PC e740 handheld computer in the US. It features integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, SecureDigital and CompactFlash Type II card slots, 3.5 inch 240×320 pixel reflective TFT 65,536-color display, 400 MHz Intel PXA250 processor, Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 operating system, 64 MB RAM. Size is 4.9 x 3.1 x 0.6 inches; price is US$599; weight is 6.5 ounces. [1551.24] [1559] [1714.45] [2071.62]
- June 10
- Palm announces it has shipped Palm OS 5 to developers. [1559]
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 1.8 GHz Athlon XP 2200+ processor, based on a 0.13-micron process. Price is US$241 in 1000-unit quantities. Code-name during development was Thoroughbred. [1550.22] [1551.8] [1559]
- June
- Apple Computer buys the Silicon Grail company. [1259.24]
- Mozilla releases the Mozilla 1.0 Web browser. [1897.132]
- Apple Computer buys the Prismo Graphics company, maker of the India Titler Pro software. [1259.24]
- June 17
- Microsoft releases the Internet Explorer 5.2 web browser for the Mac OS X. The software is free from Microsoft’s Web site. [1559]
- June 24
- Intel introduces the 1.9 and 2 GHz Mobile Pentium 4-M processor. It features 8 kB Level 1 data cache, 12 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 512 kB Level 2 cache, 400 MHz system bus, MMX, SSE, and SSE2 instructions, 64 GB address space, two pipelined FPUs. It incorporates 55 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Code-name during development was Northwood. Prices are US$401 (1.9 GHz) and US$637 (2 GHz) in 1000-unit quantities. [1454.124] [1559]
- Intel introduces the 1.33 to 1.5 GHz Mobile Celeron processor. It features 8 kB Level 1 data cache, 12 kB Level 1 instruction cache, 256 kB Level 2 cache, 400 MHz system bus, MMX, SSE, and SSE2 instructions, 64 GB address space, two pipelined FPUs. It incorporates 55 million transistors in a 0.13-micron process. Code-name during development was Northwood. Prices are US$134 (1.33 GHz), US$149 (1.4 GHz), and US$170 (1.5 GHz) in 1000-unit quantities. [1454.124] [1559]
- In Tokyo, Japan, Sharp introduces the Zaurus SL-A300 handheld computer. It features Linux operating system, Intel 200 MHz XScale PXA210 processor, 64 MB RAM, 3.5-inch active matrix 320×240 pixel display, Secure Digital slot. Size is 2.7 x 4.4 inches; weight is 4.2 ounces. Price is to be 50,000 yen (about US$411) when released July 12. [1559]
- Hewlett-Packard releases the HP iPAQ Pocket PC H3950 handheld computer. It features Pocket PC 2002 operating system, remote control software and infrared port, Secure Digital slot, transreflective display, Intel 400 MHz XScale PXA250 processor, lithium-polymer batteries, 64 MB RAM, 32 MB flash memory. Price is US$649. [1559]
- Hewlett-Packard releases the HP iPAQ Pocket PC H3970 handheld computer. It features 400 MHz Intel XScale PXA250 processor, 64 MB RAM, 48 MB flash ROM, remote control software and infrared port, Secure Digital slot, Pocket PC 2002 operating system, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, backlit transreflective TFT color display, lithium-polymer batteries. Weight is 6.6 ounces; size is 5.3 x 3.3 x 0.6 inches; price is US$749. [1276.36] [1559]
- Hewlett-Packard releases the HP Jornada 728 Handheld PC. It features 206 MHz Intel SA1110 processor, modem, 64 MB RAM. Price is US$999. [1559]
- Sony releases the Clie PEG-T665C handheld computer. It features 66 MHz Dragonball Super VZ processor, 16 MB DRAM, 4 MB Flash memory, 320×320 pixel TFT color display, Palm OS 4.1, Memory Stick port, 16 Sony applications, 18 third-party applications. It includes remote control software and infrared port allowing it to be used s a remote control for home entertainment equipment. Size is 4.75 x 3 x 0.5 inches; price is US$399.99. [1551.23] [1559]
- Kyocera announces the Kyocera 7135 handheld computer. It features phone, keypad, color screen, Global Positioning System technology, Secure Digital slot, digital audio player, 16 MB RAM, Palm OS 4.1. Size is 3.97 x 2.43 x 1.17 inches; weight is 6.6 ounces. Price is expected to be about US$500 when released later in the year. [1559]
- June 30
- U.S. consulting firm Gartner reports that approximately one billion personal computers have been shipped worldwide since the mid-1970s. The billionth PC was likely shipped in April. [1559]
- April-June
- Total unit sales of notebook computers in Europe from April to June: 1.9 million. [2109.54]
- (month unknown)
- Intel releases the Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) 3.0 specification, allowing graphics instruction and data throuput of 2.1 GBps (8X). [1609.51]
- Western Digital announces the Caviar 200 GB hard drive, the industry’s first 200 GB drive at 7200 rpm. Areal density is about 54 GB per square inch. Nickname of the drive is Drivezilla. [1648.42]
- In the USA, the Industrial Design Excellence Awards are decided: Silver Award for IBM Net Vista X41 personal computer, which clamps to a desktop, with entire computer elevated and located behind LCD display; Gold Award for Apple Computer for its retail stores; Gold Award for Handspring Treo handheld computer; Bronze Award for Logitech International MouseMan Traveler mouse; Gold Award for Apple Computer iMac computer. [1949.83]
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