History of Personal History of Personal ComputersComputers

Drew RyndersDrew Rynders

The desktop computer was introduced in The desktop computer was introduced in 1975 by Intel. 1975 by Intel.

It sold for $498 dollars becoming the first It sold for $498 dollars becoming the first computer introduced to individuals.computer introduced to individuals.

The MITS Altair contained 256 bytes of The MITS Altair contained 256 bytes of RAM compared to today’s computers that RAM compared to today’s computers that hold on average 1-2 gigs of RAM.hold on average 1-2 gigs of RAM.

This is a significant increase!!!!! This is a significant increase!!!!!

Soon after the MITS Altair came a Soon after the MITS Altair came a wave of personal computers.wave of personal computers.

1977 began the personal computer 1977 began the personal computer explosion with the introduction of the explosion with the introduction of the TRS80 by Radio Shack and the Apple TRS80 by Radio Shack and the Apple II.II.

The Apple II set a new high for The Apple II set a new high for computers marking their PC at computers marking their PC at $1,298 dollars.$1,298 dollars.

Now a days computers range from all Now a days computers range from all different prices. different prices.

You can get a computer for as low as You can get a computer for as low as $300 dollars and tip the scales at $300 dollars and tip the scales at $5000.$5000.

It just depends on what kind of It just depends on what kind of computer you are looking for.computer you are looking for.

The beginning use of computers was The beginning use of computers was to assist in practices like that of to assist in practices like that of accounting. As the computer industry accounting. As the computer industry expanded, word processing became expanded, word processing became the newest program.the newest program.

The biggest invention for the The biggest invention for the computer was that of the Internet.computer was that of the Internet.

This gave a huge market place for This gave a huge market place for businesses and personal uses.businesses and personal uses.

1991-1995 computer sales and 1991-1995 computer sales and shipments skyrocketed. Annually the shipments skyrocketed. Annually the shipment numbers grew 20%.shipment numbers grew 20%.

Owning a computer reached an all-Owning a computer reached an all-time high during this boom, when time high during this boom, when during the late 1990’s, 60% of during the late 1990’s, 60% of households owned personal households owned personal computers.computers.

Entering into the new millennium personal Entering into the new millennium personal computers continued to grow and thrive.computers continued to grow and thrive.

By 2006 computer prices were as low as By 2006 computer prices were as low as $500 dollars and the laptop was now $500 dollars and the laptop was now selling for only $700. selling for only $700.

The most important number was that 52% The most important number was that 52% of adults with only an income of $30,000 of adults with only an income of $30,000 or greater reported owning a computer.or greater reported owning a computer.

In the past, the average income was In the past, the average income was around $50,000 a year, therefore showing around $50,000 a year, therefore showing the adaptability to different income levels.the adaptability to different income levels.

Picture from Wikipedia.

Upgrades have been the norm for Upgrades have been the norm for computer systems. Always trying to computer systems. Always trying to fix, better, and perfect the system is fix, better, and perfect the system is the goal of the designers. the goal of the designers.

The last major upgrade to the system The last major upgrade to the system was right before the millennium. The was right before the millennium. The floppy disk was upgraded and floppy disk was upgraded and changed to the compact disc drives.changed to the compact disc drives.

These……These……

Floppy Disk

Became these!!!!Became these!!!!

Compact Discs

Between 95’ to 99’ shipment Between 95’ to 99’ shipment numbers decreased because of the numbers decreased because of the growth of worldwide shipments, but growth of worldwide shipments, but soon rose again in 2002.soon rose again in 2002.

During this time period however, the During this time period however, the bargains of lower prices and better bargains of lower prices and better computers drove the demand for computers drove the demand for computers up more than 15%.computers up more than 15%.

Nearly 62% of households owned Nearly 62% of households owned computers in 2003 up from the previously computers in 2003 up from the previously astonishing mark of 42% in 1998. astonishing mark of 42% in 1998.

These numbers are the tale of the tape for These numbers are the tale of the tape for personal computers and laptops. personal computers and laptops.

Ever since day one the sale and rise of Ever since day one the sale and rise of computers has been drastic. Computers computers has been drastic. Computers are becoming the base from which we are becoming the base from which we work and function everyday. To see how work and function everyday. To see how far we have truly come is amazing.far we have truly come is amazing.