History of the Personal Computer, Part 4: The mighty Wintel empire

[Jos]

As the integrated circuit industry became more lucrative, former colleagues that had started out in a close knit community created an industrial diaspora as ideas and applications (not to mention the lure of wealth) began to exceed the existing company's ability to bring them to fruition. Small companies that started out with camaraderie and enthusiasm soon became the monoliths that had prompted many to leave their previous jobs.

Intel itself could trace its existence to the breakup of Shockley Electronics and Fairchild Semiconductor. Determined to avoid the same fate, lawsuits became object lessons to employees, a means of protecting its IP, and a method of tying up a competitor's financial resources.

This is the fourth installment in a five part series, where we look at the history of the microprocessor and personal computing, from the invention of the transistor to modern day chips powering our connected devices.

Read the complete article.

 

[Guest]

This series has been fantastic. Every nerd should read it!

 

[veLa]

All I really got from this is that Intel was and is a bully. I could never support them.

 

[Guest]

If Part 4 is meant to cover events up until 1999, where is the coverage of the pivotal event that cemented Microsoft ascendency I.e. the OS/2 / Windows breakup ?

The entire Microsoft application suite that became MS Office had very small market share compared to the DOS versions of Lotus 1-2-3, dBase and Wordperfect ... until Windows 3.0

 

[dividebyzero]

If Part 4 is meant to cover events up until 1999, where is the coverage of the pivotal event that cemented Microsoft ascendency I.e. the OS/2 / Windows breakup ?

Unfortunately, the OS/2 piece got cut (from Part 3). I agree that IBM's pushing of OS/2 as both consumer and business OS, and Microsoft playing along ( placating IBM's fears by telling them that Windows was just a stepping stone between DOS and OS/2) only until they were sure they could shaft IBM and get away with it, was a major point in MS's rise - as well as IBM's continued marginalization.

 

[Guest]

All I really got from this is that Intel was and is a bully. I could never support them.

Ah, shame. What a small and narrow opinion. Then do you support Samsung? You would never want to look at them again as Intel pales in comparison to their business practices that they practice even to this day. They're not even shy about it. I'm also not talking about the Apple saga though. Read up on them, if you're a fan with the attitude you display in your comment, you'll be devastated. My point though, is that EVERY business has it's underhanded dealings, EVEN AMD. Everyone has their preferences, but to base it on how they conduct business, you would end up living a very bare life without many products in it. Besides, the time Intel grew up in, was a much different time to today. The rule book hadn't even been written back then, so all's fair until they make a rule for it. It is after all just business.

 

[Phr3d]

Unfortunately, the OS/2 piece got cut (from Part 3). I agree that IBM's pushing of OS/2 as both consumer and business OS, and Microsoft playing along ( placating IBM's fears by telling them that Windows was just a stepping stone between DOS and OS/2) only until they were sure they could shaft IBM and get away with it, was a major point in MS's rise - as well as IBM's continued marginalization.

That is a shame, as that and Many more issues thru the 90s were deserving of depth - I have really enjoyed your efforts, so this segment felt a bit rushed/glossed over(?) when compared to previous.

I don't hope to understand the constraints that you are publishing under, and Thank You for your efforts!