Time machine · 45 years ago

Computers in 1981

5 computers in the atlas launched in 1981: Commodore VIC-20, Sinclair ZX81, BBC Micro Model B, IBM PC (5150), TI-99/4A. The most memory you could get in our catalogue was 32 KB (BBC Micro Model B); a 2025 flagship phone has 262,144× that.

$3,451what $1,000 in 1981 is worth in 2024 (US CPI)
262,144×more memory in today's phone than 1981's best in the catalogue
0people in the atlas got their first computer in 1981
11.8 million×memory growth expected since 1981 from the catalogue trend

Launched in 1981

Commodore VIC-20Commodore · 5 KB · 1.02 MHz$299.95 → $1,040 todaySinclair ZX81Sinclair Research · 1 KB · 3.25 MHz£69.95BBC Micro Model BAcorn · 32 KB · 2 MHz£335IBM PC (5150)IBM · 16 KB · 4.77 MHz$1,565 → $5,400 todayTI-99/4ATexas Instruments · 16 KB · 3 MHz$525 → $1,810 today

Also on sale around 1981

Apple IIApple · 4 KB · 1 MHz$1,298 → $6,720 todayCommodore PET 2001Commodore · 8 KB · 1 MHz$795 → $4,120 todayTRS-80 Model ITandy / Radio Shack · 4 KB · 1.77 MHz$599.95 → $3,110 todayAtari 800Atari · 8 KB · 1.79 MHz$999 → $4,320 todayTRS-80 Color Computer (CoCo)Tandy / Radio Shack · 4 KB · 0.89 MHz$399 → $1,520 todaySinclair ZX80Sinclair Research · 1 KB · 3.25 MHz£99.95
← 1980All yearsBBC Micro Model B vs today's phone1982 →

What was your first computer?

Add it to the atlas in 20 seconds. No sign-up, no email.

Add my first computer