Computers are a vital part of everyday life these days. Whether computers are being used at work or at home for a hobby (or gaming!), there isn’t much it seems like that they can’t do. Several decades ago, this was far from reality, with many people unable to dream up what they can do today. Computers have undergone feature-significant evolution over the past three decades.
The idea of a computer first came on to the scene in 1971. The first model was known as the Kenbak-1, and sold for $750. The model really didn’t take off, with only 40 being sold. Other models introduced in this time period weren’t much better as far as being user friendly. However, some of their components helped begin the evolution toward the devices we have today. For instance, the Datapoint 2200 was a bit more successful, even with a $5,000 price tag because it featured a CPU.
These computers also inspired the beginning of gaming consoles. Later, PCs in that decade became more common in homes, with the Apple II and Commodore PET. In 1982, Commodore launched their Commodore 64, which was the best-selling computer of all time, at over 17 million devices. IBM later got into the personal computer industry, further increasing their use.
Another milestone in computer evolution occurred in the mid-80s when Compaq added an Intel Chip, giving PCs much more power and speed. Later that decade, early versions of what we today would call notebooks appeared. Operating systems began to diverge as IBM and Microsoft both began to promote their own operating systems. Initially IBM had better success, however over the long term, Microsoft definitely dominated with their Windows OS, which is most used today.
Of course, the next big stepping stone was the internet and its ability to expand the implications of personal computers. The size of PCs has also been diminished with IBM developing a tiny device. Today, the internet has made our PCs even more important as we use them to complete most tasks. With such phenomenal growth in this form of technology in such a short time, it makes many people wonder what the future has in store.
Perhaps one day we will be able to connect our minds to our computers and just think commands rather than using a mouse or keyboard!
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
