Skip the navigation

The IBM PC @ 20

August 10, 2001 12:00 PM ET

The 20th anniversary of the introduction of the IBM PC is a fine time to reflect on the progress and direction of personal computing. But when all the hoopla dies down, IT managers will still have to deal with reliability issues associated with the dreaded PC crash.



Table of Contents:



























































Crashing the Party


Some amazing advances have taken place in the two decades since IBM introduced what was to become the industry-standard personal computer. Now if only we could get rid of those blue screens.



Crashing the Party



Gates Weighs In



Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates reflected on the future of the PC during a recent conversation with Computerworld senior editor Carol Sliwa.



Microsoft Logo



You Never Forget Your First


Readers share memories of their first experiences with personal computers. See the sampling of comments published in our print edition, then head to our online forum to read more comments and post your own



The Apple IIe



Thinking Small
Computerworld covers the introduction of IBM's "smallest system to date" in the Aug. 17, 1981 issue. Read the complete article.



Aug. 12th, 1981 IBM introduces the IBM Personal Computer



Timeline


A look at the history of desktop computing, starting with the Apple II in 1977 and Sinclair ZX80.


A clip from the famed Apple



Almanac
The spacecraft Columbia circles the earth, The Dow Jones sinks below 890. What else was happening around the world in August 1981?


Spacecraft Columbia flight patch
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES:
Flashback
Computerworld rounds up a history of the computer industry from 1950, when Engineering Research Associates delivered the first commercially produced computer.
Wireless may revamp future PC design and usage


A proliferation of wireless networks could spark fundamental changes in the design and use of PCs. Some corporate users even predirect the death of the hard-wired desktop.

Peering into the Future


Experts say the PC of the future might include vision, handwriting recognition and built-in wireless.
Stats and Numbers

How many computers get shipped each year? Who sells the most worldwide? In the U.S.? Find out here.
Resource Links

A listing of resources from around the Web on the history of computing.

Additional Resources
Forrester Consulting - Optimizing Users and Applications in a Mobile World
WHITE PAPER
Solving application issues over the WAN requires careful consideration. Based on their independent research, Forrester Consulting offers recommendations on how to tackle application performance issues, insufficient bandwidth and the inability to quickly restore users in a disaster.

Read now.

Security KnowledgeVault
WHITE PAPER
Security is not an option. This KnowledgeVault Series offers professional advice how to be proactive in the fight against cybercrimes and multi-layered security threats; how to adopt a holistic approach to protecting and managing data; and how to hire a qualified security assessor. Make security your Number 1 priority.

Read now.

Cut Communications Costs Once and for All
WHITE PAPER
New IP-based communications systems are being deployed by small and midsized businesses at a rapid rate. Learn how these organizations are enabling faster responsiveness, creating better customer experiences, speeding office or mobile interactions, and dramatically reducing existing communications costs.

Read now.

Hardware White Papers
The Laptop Dilemma: How to Maximize Productivity and Lower the Burden on IT
Download Now
Overcome Top 7 Admin Challenges of Active Directory
As Active Directory's role in the enterprise has drastically increased, so has the need to secure the data. Gain insight on creating repeatable,...
Insiders Can Ruin Your Company. Take Action.
Did you know that 80 percent of threats to an organization come from the inside? The threat from insiders is often overlooked in...
Top Solutions and Tools to Prevent Devastating Malware
Custom malware frequently goes undetected. According to Forrester Research, the best way to reduce risk of breach is to deploy file integrity monitoring...
Streamline Compliance and Increase ROI
Streamline, simplify, and automate compliance related activities; especially those that impact multiple business units. This white paper from NetIQ, outlines solutions that will...
All Hardware White Papers
Hardware Webcasts
Optimizing Networks for the Cloud
Join guest speaker, Rohit Mehra, IDC Director of Enterprise Communications Infrastructure, to explore current trends, discuss best practices for optimizing Data Center and...
Apps QuickStart Series Part 2: Designing and Deploying SQL Server on VMware vSphere
Download this webcast to learn about the design considerations for virtualizing SQL workloads, performance and scalability information and high-availability options, as well as...
Apps QuickStart Series Part 1: Designing and Deploying Exchange 2010 on VMware vSphere
Download this webcast to learn the virtual hardware design considerations for Exchange 2010, deployment using the building block approach, options for high-availability and...
Customer Spotlight: How IPC The Hospitalist Company Implemented Oracle on VMware
Have you been looking to hear about customer's experiences with the new VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager product? View this webcast to learn...
Virtualize Business-Critical Applications with Confidence
Virtualizing business-critical applications has become a key focus for organizations as they move along their virtualization journey. With the launch of VMware vSphere®...
All Hardware Webcasts
Newsletter Sign-Up

Receive the latest news test, reviews and trends on your favorite technology topics

Choose a newsletter
  1. View all newsletters | Privacy Policy
IT Jobs