- January 31
- Apple Computer releases new PowerBook G4 portable computers in the USA and United Kingdom. They feature 1.5 or 1.67 GHz G4 processor, 512 MB RAM, 12.1- or 17- inch LCD, AirPort, 512 KB L2 cache, 64 MB NVidia GeForceFX 5200 or 128 MB ATI Radeon 9700 graphics, two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, Ethernet, DVD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD-R drive, 80 or 100 GB hard drive. Prices are US$1499-2699 in the USA, and 1049-1849 pounds in the UK. [1918.205]
- Sun Microsystems releases the Solaris 10 operating system for free commercial or non-commercial use. [1559] [2450.2]
- February 6
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Personal computers are used to view pictures, play games, and view Web site videos. [2258]
- February 9
- In the lawsuit of SCO Group versus IBM over alleged copyright infringement of Unix source code, U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball refuses to grant IBM’s request for a declaration that its Linux work does not violate SCO’s copyrights. The judge criticizes SCO for not producing any evidence of infringement. [1559] [2328.80]
- Carly Fiorina steps down as chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard. The board of directors names Patricia Dunn as new chairman, and names Robert Wayman as interim CEO. [1559]
- February
- Microsoft releases the Windows XP Starter Edition operating system in Malaysia and Indonesia. Price in Malaysia is 120 ringgits (about US$32). [1559]
- February 15
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A fairy refers to the “WANDOS 2.0” operating system, a reference to the Windows operating system. [2279]
- February 20
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer is used to access an Internet Web site. [2259]
- February 21
- Intel releases the 64-bit Pentium 4 630, 640, 650, and 660 processors. Speeds are 3 GHz, 3.2 GHz, 3.4 GHz, and 3.6 GHz, respectively. They feature 2 MB level 2 cache, 169 million transistors, 135 mm2 die size, 90-nanometre fabrication, Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Execute Disable Bit, EM64T 64-bit extension instructions, 800 MHz front-side bus. Prices are: US$224, US$273, US$401, and US$605, respectively, each in 1000-unit quantities. [1559] [1614.26] [1615.8] [1869.20]
- Intel releases the 64-bit 3.73 GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor. It features 2 MB level 2 cache, 169 million transistors, 135 mm2 die size, 90-nanometre fabrication, Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Execute Disable Bit, EM64T 64-bit extension instructions, 1.066 GHz front-side bus. Price is US$999 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559] [1614.26] [1615.8] [1869.20]
- February (month)
- Top selling personal computer game for the month in the US: The Sims 2 University. [1673.138]
- (month unknown)
- Advanced Micro Devices launches the Turion 64 mobile processor. Variations include 35-watt ML-30, ML-32, ML-34, ML-37, and 25-wat MT-30, MT-32, and MT-34. They are manufactured in a 90-namometre SOI technology. Prices range from US$184 to US$354. [1615.8]
- March 20
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer is used at an insurance agency. [2260]
- March 22
- Netherlands issues a 39-cent postage stamp depicting a laptop computer. [2465.1190]
- March 27
- Netherlands issues a postage stamp depicting business symbols, including a personal computer. [2299.80]
- March (month)
- Top selling personal computer game for the month in the US: The Sims 2 University. [1673.138]
- January-March
- Shipments of handheld computers worldwide during January to March: 1.36 million. [1559] (1.89 million [2187.3])
- Market share of microprocessors worldwide during January to March: Advanced Micro Devices 5.7%. [2094.72]
- (month unknown)
- The Computer Industry Almanac releases an estimated count of personal computers in use around the world: total 820 million, USA 223.81 million, Japan 69.2 million, China 52.99 million, Germany 46.3 million. [1685.12]
- April 3
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A recruitment sign for prison guards says “Must know Microsoft Powerpoint, sadism”. [2261]
- April 13
- PalmOne releases the Tungsten E2 handheld computer. It features Bluetooth wireless connection, 32 MB nonvolatile flash memory, 200 MHz Intel XScale processor, and color screen. Price is US$249. [1559]
- April 17
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A scene from the future shows someone with a laptop computer. [2262]
- April 18
- Adobe Systems announces a US$3.4 billion bid to acquire Macromedia. [1559] [1689.6] [1905]
- Intel releases the 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition 840 processor, with dual cores, each with 1 MB level 2 cache. The processor incorporates 230 million transistors. Price is US$999 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559] [1686.8] [1695.20] [1897.133]
- April 19
- Majesco releases the Psychonauts game for personal computers in the US. [1790.86]
- April 25
- Microsoft releases the Windows XP Professional x64 Edition operating system, for computers with Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon processors with 64-bit instructions. Price is US$155.95. [1559] [1687.73] [1689.1] [1691.1] [1784.75] [1897.133]
- April 27
- Apple Computer releases updated Power Mac G5 systems. They feature single or dual processors operating at 2 to 2.7 GHz. Starting prices range from US$1499 to US$2999. [1559] [2234.26]
- April 28
- NCSoft releases the Guild Wars game for the PC in the US. [1790.86]
- April 29
- Apple Computer releases Mac OS X 10.4 operating system. New features include Spotlight search, Dashboard with 14 mini-apps, 64-bit memory addressing, iChat, QuickTime 7. Price is US$129 for single user, or US$199 for a five-user license. Price in the UK is 89 pounds. Code-name during development was Tiger. [1559] [1687.75] [1876.17] [1897.133] [1918.16]
- April (month)
- Top selling personal computer game for the month in the US: Guild Wars. [1681.128] [1765.96]
- (month unknown)
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 2 GHz Sempron 3300+ processor. It features 128 kB level 2 cache, SSE3 support, and is manufactured in a 90 nm process. Price is US$127. [1686.24]
- May 1
- Lenovo of China completes its acquisition of IBM’s personal computer business. [1559]
- May
- PalmSource sells all Palm brand rights to Palm for $26.7 million. [1559]
- Microsoft releases the Windows Mobile 5 operating system. [1897.133] [2187.16]
- May 11
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A personal computer with keyboard and mouse appears. [1987]
- May 15
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A home personal computer and a portable laptop are used to access the World Wide Web. [2263]
- May
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the dual-core Opteron processor. [2225.69]
- May 16
- Apple computer releases Mac OS X 10.4.1. [1559]
- May 22
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the Geode LX800 processor, intended for small computers. It operates at 533 MHz, consumes 0.9 watts, includes encryption engine and 2D graphics, and is x86 processor compatible. Price is US$45, including companion chipset. [1559]
- May 26
- Intel releases the 3.8 GHz Pentium 4 model 670 processor. It features 2 MB cache, 800 MHz front-side bus and 90-nanometre traces. Price is US$849 in 1000 unit quantities. [1784.8]
- Intel releases the Pentium D processor, models 820, 830, and 840. They feature dual cores, each with 2 MB level 2 cache, 800 MHz front-side bus, EM64T instructions, Enhanced Speed Step Technology, 90 nm process, 230 million transistors, 206 mm2 die size. Speeds and prices in 1000 unit quantities are 2.8 GHz (US$241), 3.0 GHz (US$316), and 3.2 GHz (US$530). [1559] [1687.26] [1784.8]
- May 31
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the Athlon 64 x2 Dual-Core 4200+, 4400+, 4600+, and 4800+ processors. Processor speed of the 4200+ and 4400+ is 2.2 GHz; speed of the other two is 2.4 GHz. Cache size of 4200+ and 4600+ is 512 kB; of 4400+ and 4800+ is 1 MB. Prices are US$537, US$581, US$803, US$1001, respectively, in 1000-unit quantities. [1559] [1687.8]
- May (month)
- Top selling computer game for the month in the US: Guild Wars. [1688.110]
- March-May
- For the first time in the US, sales of portable computers exceed sales of desktop computers for the month. [1559]
- June 6
- In San Francisco, California, Apple Computer announces it is abandoning the PowerPC processor in favor of Intel processors for Macintosh computers. The first Intel-based Macintosh computers should be on the market by mid-2006, with PowerPC-based computers phased out by the end of 2007. Reasons given for the switch are the lack of a 3 GHz G5 processor, lack of G5 processors for portable computers, and the Intel processor future looks better for Apple computers. [1559] [1867.108] [1877.14] [1911.52] [2329.38]
- June 15
- Microsoft releases Windows XP N, without Windows Media Player. [1559]
- June
- Apple Computer discontinues single-processor Power Mac G5 systems. [1559] [2234.26]
- June 21
- EA Games releases the Battlefield 2 game for personal computers in the US. [1688.104] [1790.88] [2565.32]
- June 22
- Buena Vista Pictures releases the film Herbie Fully Loaded to theaters in the US. A computer and MultiSync LCD monitor appear. An HP laptop computer appears. [1994]
- June 27
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 2.8 GHz AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor. The chip includes 1 MB of level 2 cache. Price is US$1031 in quantities of 1000. [1784.8] [1559]
- Intel releases the 3.2 GHz Celeron D 351 processor. It features EM64T 64-bit technology, 256 kB cache, and 533 MHz system bus. Price is US$127 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- Intel announces the 3.2 GHz Celeron D 350 processor. It features 256 kB cache, and 533 MHz system bus. Price is US$73 in 1000-unit quantities. [1559]
- Advanced Micro Devices files an antitrust lawsuit against Intel, claiming the company used scare tactics and coercion on 38 companies to not use AMD processors. [1559] [2331.40]
- June 29
- Jerrold Kaplan, founder of Go company, files a lawsuit against Microsoft, claiming Microsoft violated antitrust laws by trying to thwart Go’s attempt to enter the PC operating system market in the early 1990s. [1559]
- June (month)
- Top selling personal computer game title for the month in the US: Battlefield 2. [1763.116] [1764.156]
- April-June
- Shipments of personal computers worldwide during April to June: 46.6-48 million. [1559]
- Market share of desktop computers in the Asia-Pacific region during April to June: Lenovo 19%, Hewlett-Packard 12.3%, Dell 9%. [1559]
- Shipments of handheld computers worldwide during April to June: 1.7 million. [1559]
- (month unknown)
- The Industrial Designers Society of America announces its annual Industrial Design Excellence Awards:
- Silver: Alienware ALX Desktop Computer,
- Gold: Toshiba Red Transformer laptop computer,
- Catalyst Award winner: PalmOne Zire 21 handheld computer.
[2330.64]
- Apple Computer releases three updated iMac G5 computers: 17-inch display 1.8 GHz processor for US$1299; 17-inch display 2 GHz processor for US$1499; 20-inch display 2 GHz processor for US$1799. [2234.28]
- Apple Computer releases two updated eMac G4 computers, with 1.42 GHz G4 processor. Prices are US$799 and US$999. [2234.30]
- July 1
- Microsoft and IBM settle legal claims arising from the US Justice Department’s antitrust case against Microsoft in the mid-1990s. Microsoft agrees to pay IBM US$775 million cash and US$75 million in credit toward Microsoft software. [1559]
- July 12
- Apple Computer releases Mac OS X 10.4.2 operating system. [1559]
- July
- A coalition of major computer hardware and software companies create the United EFI Forum to manage the Extensible Firmware Interface, designed to replace the BIOS. [1692.4]
- July 14
- PalmOne changes its name to Palm. [1559]
- July
- IBM announces it will discontinue support for the OS/2 operating system by the end of the year. [1559]
- Intel launches the Core Duo processor, with two internal processing cores. [2195.3]
- July 22
- Microsoft announces the name of the next Windows operating system: Windows Vista. [1559] [1784.75] [2074.15]
- July 25
- Microsoft launches Windows Genuine Advantage on its Web site. The technology scans a user’s computer to ensure the Windows software in use is legal, before allowing updates to be downloaded. [1698.1]
- July 26
- Apple Computer releases updated Mac Mini computers. A version with 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 processor is priced at US$499. A version with 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth is priced at US$599. A similar model with SuperDrive (CD/DVD burner) is priced at US$699. [1559]
- Apple Computer releases updated iBook portable computers. Common features include a scrolling TrackPad, sudden-motion sensor, 512 MB RAM, AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth 2.0 wireless connectivity. The iBook with 12-inch screen and 1.33 GHz PowerPC G4 costs US$999. The model with 14-inch screen and 1.42 GHz processor is US$1,299. [1559]
- July 28
- Microsoft reports it has sold 100,000 copies of Windows XP Starter Edition to date. [1559]
- July (month)
- Top selling personal computer game for the month in the US: Battlefield 2. [1780.184]
- August 1
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+ processor. Price is US$354 in quantities of 1000. [1559] [1785.10] [1866.20]
- August 2
- Apple Computer releases the Mighty Mouse for Macintosh computers, with 360-degree scroll ball and four programmable buttons. Price is US$49. This is the first multi-button mouse for Apple in 21 years. [1559] [1878.18]
- August 4
- Thailand issues a 3-baht postage stamp for National Communications Day, depicting a handheld computer. [2370.78] [2529.494]
- August
- At the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, California, Intel announces it is shifting its traditional focus away from clock speed to a strategy centered on performance per watt of each processor chip. [1692.1]
- August (month)
- Top selling personal computer game for the month in the US: Battlefield 2. [1780.184]
- For the first month ever in the US, more retail laptop computers sell than desktop computers. [1867.22]
- (month unknown)
- Advanced Micro Devices releases the 2 GHz Turion 64 MT-37 and 2.2 GHz Turion 64 MT-40 processors. [1786.8]
- September 9
- Access of Japan announces it will acquire PalmSource, for US$324.3 million. [1559]
- September 18
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. An 8-year-old girl has a personal computer in her bedroom. [2264]
- September 22
- Atari releases the Indigo Prophecy game for personal computers in the US. [1790.91]
- September 28
- The U.S. Patent Office reaffirms a Web-browsing patent by Eolas Technologies that Microsoft is accused of infringing. [1559]
- September (month)
- Top selling personal computer game in the US for the month: The Sims 2 Nightlife. [1779.192]
- July-September
- Market share of personal computers worldwide during July to September: Dell 18%, Hewlett-Packard 16%, Lenovo 7.7%, Acer 4.7%, Apple Computer 2.3%. [1559]
- Market share of personal computers in the US during July to September: Gateway 6.4%, Apple Computer 4.3%. [1559]
- October 9
- For one day only, CompUSA offers for sale a US$99.99 computer made by Systemax and sponsored by America Online. The computer features an Intel Celeron processor, monitor, and printer. Purchasers must sign up for a year of AOL at $23.90 a month. [1559]
- October 12
- Palm releases the Palm Z22 handheld computer in the US, dropping the “Zire” name. It features 32 MB memory, 160×160 color display, ARM 200 MHz processor, Palm OS 5.4.9 operating system. Price is US$99; weight is about 3 ounces. [1559] [1787.84]
- Palm releases the Palm TX handheld computer in the US, dropping the “Tungsten” name. It features 128 MB memory, 320×480 color display, 312 MHz Intel XScale processor, MMX/SD/SDIO slot, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, audio/video player, Web browser. Price is US$299; weight is 5.25 ounces. [1559] [1785.8] [1787.84]
- Apple Computer announces an updated iMac G5 computer. It features 20-inch wide-screen LCD, iSight camera, multibutton mouse, 2.1 GHz PowerPC G5 processor, 512 MB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, ATI Radeon X600 XT graphics, dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive, Max OS X 10.4. Price is US$1699. Price for a version with 17-inch screen and 1.9 GHz processor is US$1299. [1559] [1898.32] [2235.33]
- October 18
- Sierra releases the F.E.A.R. game for personal computers in the US. [1764.54] [1780.170] [1790.91]
- October 19
- Costa Rica issues a postage stamp depicting a child at a computer, showing a mouse and keyboard. [2372.76]
- Apple Computer announces a new Power Mac featuring a dual-core 2.0 GHz PowerPC G5 processor, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce 6600 LE video card with 128 MB video RAM, three PCI Express expansion slots, 16x SuperDrive with double-layer support, FireWire 800 port, two FireWire 400 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 1.1 ports, optical and digital audio input and output, and 802.11g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 support. Price is US$1,999. [1559] [2235.32]
- Apple Computer announces a new Power Mac featuring a dual-core 2.3 GHz PowerPC G5 processor, 512 MB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce 6600 LE video card with 256 MB video RAM, three PCI Express expansion slots, 16x SuperDrive with double-layer support, FireWire 800 port, two FireWire 400 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 1.1 ports, optical and digital audio input and output, and 802.11g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 support. Price is US$2,499. [1559] [2235.32]
- Apple Computer announces the Power Mac G5 Quad computer. It features two dual-core 2.5 GHz PowerPC G5 processor, 512 MB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce 6600 LE video card with 256 MB video RAM, three PCI Express expansion slots, 16x SuperDrive with double-layer support, FireWire 800 port, two FireWire 400 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 1.1 ports, optical and digital audio input and output, and 802.11g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 support. Price is US$3,299, available in November. [1559] [1907.34]
- October 20
- In Santa Clara, California, Intel holds a meeting of 300 top managers. Chief Marketing Officer Eric Kim announces plans to drop the name “Pentium”, the “Intel Inside” logo, and the dropped “e” in the corporate logo. Andrew Grove gives his full support to the ideas. [1911.47]
- October 21
- Universal Pictures releases the film Doom to theaters in the USA, based on the computer game. The film cost US$100 million to make and market. (Gross theater receipts: about US$42 million worldwide.) [1764.38,54] [2464.46]
- October 25
- 2K Games releases the Sid Meier’s Civilization IV game for personal computers in the US. [1780.62] [1790.95,152]
- October 27
- October 31
- Apple Computer releases the Mac OS X 10.4.3 software for the Macintosh. [1559]
- October (month)
- Top selling computer game in the US for the month: Star Wars Battlefront II. [1790.158]
- (month unknown)
- Apple Computer releases an updated PowerBook G4 computer. It features 17-inch display, and 1.67 GHz G4 processor. Price is US$2499. Price for a 15-inch display is US$1999. [2235.36]
- November 5
- At the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, the Vintage Computer Festival is held, including a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Homebrew Computer Club. [1559]
- November 8
- Tunisia issues a postage stamp depicting a computer monitor and keyboard. [2300.80] [2529.636]
- November 14
- Access of Japan completes its acquisition of PalmSource, for US$324.3 million. [1559]
- November
- Microsoft releases Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for Windows in the USA. [2193.16]
- November 16
- Cuba issues a postage stamp depicting a personal computer. [2372.78]
- Morocco issues a 6-dirham postage stamp for the World Summit on the Information Society meeting in Tunis, depicting a laptop computer. [2300.64] [2465.1096]
- November 22
- Switzerland isues a stamp depicting children and a personal computer. [2370.73]
- November (month)
- Top selling computer game in the US for the month: Star Wars Battlefront II. [1791.114]
- (month unknown)
- The postal service in France issues a series of stamps commemorating The Sims video game. [1793.34]
- December
- Apache Software Foundation releases the Apache HTTP Server 2.2.0 software. [2243.8]
- December 16
- Microsoft announces it will discontinue support for Internet Explorer on the Macintosh at the end of the year. [1559]
- December 23
- IBM discontinues all OS/2 products. [1559] [1698]
- December 27
- Intel releases the Pentium 4 processor, models 631 (3 GHz), 641 (3.2 GHz), 651 (3.4 GHz), and 661 (3.6 GHz). Each features 2 MB cache, 800 MHz front-side bus, and 65 nanometer traces. Prices are US$178, US$218, US$273, US$401, respectively, in 1000-unit quantities. [2062.8]
- Intel releases the Pentium D dual-core processor, models 920 (2.8 GHz), 930 (3 GHz), 940 (3.2 GHz), and 950 (3.4 GHz). Each features 2 MB cache, 800 MHz front-side bus, and 65 nanometer traces. Prices are US$241, US$316, US$423, US$637, respectively, in 1000-unit quantities. [2062.8]
- December
- Seagate announces it will acquire Maxtor for US$1.9 billion in stock. [1796.1]
- December (month)
- Top selling personal computer game in the US for the month: Age of Empires III. [1989.122]
- Year
- Total shipments of personal computers worldwide during the year: 208.6-218.5 million. [1805.22]
- Total shipments of personal computers in the US during the year: 67.2 million. [1805.22]
- Total shipments of personal computers in Europe, Africa, Middle East during the year: 72.6 million. [1805.22]
- Market share of personal computers worldwide for the year: Dell 16.8-18.1%, Acer 4.7%. [1805.22] [2339.48]
- Total spending on games for personal computers in the USA: US$1.4 billion. [2322]
- Software piracy rate in Canada: 33%; in the world 35%. [2189.7]
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