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3.5-inch Floppy Disk
Sony introduced the 3.5-inch floppy disk, which could hold more data and was smaller than its 5.25-inch predecessor. Additionally, the 3.5-inch floppy disk had a hard case which provided better protection from dust and damage. -
IBM Personal Computer
IBM introduced its first personal computer (PC), called the IBM 5150. It had an Intel 8088 microprocessor and used the MS-DOS operating system. The IBM PC became the industry standard for individual computing and business use. -
CD-ROM
Sony and Philips released the CD-ROM disk, derived from the music CD. A CD-ROM could hold 550 MB of data (pre-recorded), compared to the 1.44 MB capacity of a 3.5-inch floppy disk. -
Apple Macintosh Computer
During the 1984 Super Bowl, Apple introduced the Macintosh computer with a TV ad based on George Orwell's book "1984." The implied reference to "Big Brother" was based on the superior market share of IBM at the time. The Macintosh had a graphical user interface and a mouse, both new technologies. -
Nintendo Entertainment System released in the U.S.
Nintendo released the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), along with 18 available games, including Super Mario Bros. This refreshed the North American game console market and launched some of the most enduring video games of the 20th century.