1990

1990 was a year of continued expansion of the use of computers in multiple industries.

Computers

Systems

Apple released several Macintosh computers, including the Macintosh Classic, Macintosh IIfx, Macintosh IIsi, and the Macintosh LC.

Atari Corporation released a model of Atari ST known as the Atari TT030.

Commodore International released the Amiga 3000 which introduced the Enhanced Chip Set.

Dell Computer Corporation began selling computers in warehouse clubs and computer superstores. This model would prove unprofitable, leading Dell to switch to a direct-to-consumer model.

To facilitate the manufacture of computers for the African, European, and Middle Eastern markets, Dell Computer opened the Dell European Manufacturing Facility in Limerick, Ireland.

Gateway 2000, a manufacturer IBM PC compatible computers, moved its headquarters from Sioux City, Iowa, to North Sioux City, South Dakota, because South Dakota did not have income taxes at the time.

IBM released the PS/1. The PS/2, released in 1987, failed to set a new standard. Instead, Technologies such as VESA, EISA, and PCI were standardized. The PS/1 was a less expensive and more limited machine than the PS/2 that returned to the architecture of its IBM PC AT line including an IDE disk interface, an ISA bus for component cards, and VGA graphics.

In Japan, IBM released three models of Personal System/55 computers. The IBM 5535-S was a 16 MHz i386SX laptop, the 5540-T was a 20 MHz i386SX desktop, the 5545-T was a 20 MHz i386SX smart television, the 5560-W was a 25 MHz Intel i486 desktop, and the 5580-Y was a 30 MHz i486 tower.

NeXT released the NeXTcube and a more affordable version known as the NeXTstation.

Pixar sold its computer hardware division to Vicom Systems for $2,000,000 due to poor sales of the Pixar Image Computer. The Pixar offices were moved from San Rafael, California to Richmond, California.

Components

Intel released the 32-bit i386SL microprocessor, a low-powered version of the i386 DX. It also released an update to the 32-bit i486DX microprocessor which fixed a bug that could cause computers to hang.

Motorola released the 68040, a 32-bit microprocessor, as the successor of the 68030.

Operating systems

Apple released version 6.0.5 of Mac OS with the release of Macintosh IIfx. Version 6.0.6 wasn't released due to a bug that would cause a crash if the computer was connected to an AppleTalk network. However, Mac OS 6.0.6 was mistakenly included on some Macintosh Classic computers. Mac OS 6.0.7 came out with the release of Macintosh LC, Macintosh IIsi, and Mac Classic computers.

Atari Corporation released versions 1.62 and 2.05 of TOS, the operating system for AtariST computers.

Be Inc. began development of BeOS, an operating system that would eventually see release in 1995.

Commodore International released version 2.0 of the Amiga operating system with the release of the Amiga 3000 computer.

Digital Research released version 5.0 of DR DOS, the MS-DOS compatible operating system.

IBM released OS/2 1.3. This was the last version of OS/2 that was co-developed by Microsoft. The development collaboration between IBM and Microsoft ended to allow Microsoft to realign its business model to focus on the development of Windows.

NeXT released version 2.0 of NeXTSTEP, which added support for the NeXTcube and the NeXTstation.

Software

CERN released Tim Berners-Lee's WorldWideWeb, the first World Wide Web browser and web editor, on BITNET alongside a web page dedicated to it.

Microsoft released Windows 3.0, the third iteration of its graphical operating environment for DOS. Windows 3.0a, a bugfix release, was released approximately seven months later.

Internet

ARPANET and CSNET were shut down as part of the transition of the internet to the World Wide Web. NSFNET and BITNET remained online until 1995 and 1996, respectively.

RELCOM, a UUCP telephone network in the Soviet Union that connected to EUnet through Helsinki for Usenet access, launched. The .su internet domain was created about a month later.

Video games

CD-i

Philips and Sony introduced the Compact Disc-Interactive format that extended CDDA and CD-ROM to combine audio, text, and graphics. CD-i systems, which had a 16/32-bit Philips 68070 CPU, would not be released for home consumers until 1991. However, Sony released hybrid home and portable Intelligent Discman branded CD-i systems for the professional market.

Commodore 64 Game System

Commodore International released the 8-bit Commodore 64 Game System, based on the Commodore 64 computer, exclusively in Europe.

Game Boy

Nintendo released the 8-bit monochrome portable video game console, Game Boy in Europe.

Capcom released a Game Boy version of its video game adaptation of a Disney television series, DuckTales, in Japan and North America.

Jaleco released Bases Loaded on the Game Boy in North America.

Nintendo R&D1 developed a a Game Boy version of the first entry in the Dr. Mario series.

Neo Geo AES and Neo Geo MVS

SNK released the Neo Geo MVS arcade hardware, marketed as 24-bit due to its graphics chip. However, it has a 16/32-bit Motorola 68000 CPU. The two games that were released alongside the system were Magician Lord and Top Player's Golf. A video game console version of the Neo Geo hardware, known as the Neo Geo AES, was released to rental outlets in Japan.

Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo released a bundle of its 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System in North America named the Sports Set. It included Alongside the console, it included an NES Satellite wireless controller adapter, four NES Controllers, and a Game Pak that contained Nintendo World Cup and Super Spike V'Ball.

Capcom released a video game adaptation of the Disney television series Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers in Japan and North America. It also released another Disney adaptation, DuckTales, in Europe and Japan.

Intelligent Systems and Nintendo R&D1 developed the first game in the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, which was released in Japan.

Nintendo R&D1 developed an NES version of Dr. Mario and Nintendo R&D3 developed StarTropics.

Samurai Electronics, the official distributor of the NES in India under the Samurai Electronic TV Game brand name, began selling Famicom clone systems from TXC Corporation. The Micro Genius IQ-501 was rebranded as the Samurai IQ-501 and the Micro Genius IQ-2000 was rebranded as the Samurai IQ-2000.

PC Engine

NEC released the 16-bit PC Engine in Spain.

PlayChoice-10

Nintendo released several games for its timer-limited NES-based 8-bit PlayChoice-10 arcade hardware, including Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, Mega Man 3, and Yo! Noid by Capcom, Super C and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game by Konami, Dr. Mario by Nintendo R&D1, Super Mario Bros. 3 by Nintendo R&D4, Captain Skyhawk, Pin Bot, and Solar Jetman by Rare, Rad Racer II by Square, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos by Tecmo, and Nintendo World Cup by Technōs Japan.

Sega Master System

Sega released the 8-bit Master System II in Europe, North America, and Oceania.

Sega Mega Drive

Sega released the 16-bit Mega Drive in Brazil, Europe, Oceania, and South Korea.

Sega Z-80-based arcade hardware

Sega created an 8-bit downscaled version of Head On named Dottori-kun due to a law enacted in Japan that required all arcade cabinets to be shipped with a working game. The intention was for purchasers to plug it in and immediately test whether the cabinet was functional. Dottori-kun contained an inexpensive 4Mhz Zilog Z80 CPU, limited graphics, and no sound. Sega intended for it to be included in the cabinet and then discarded by the purchaser.

Super Famicom

Nintendo released the 16-bit Super Famicom in Japan.

Nintendo EAD developed the two launch titles for the Super Famicom, F-Zero and Super Mario World. Other Super Famicom titles released in 1990 include ActRaiser by Quintet, Bombuzal by Image Works, Final Fight by Capcom, Gradius III by Konami, Pilotwings by Nintendo EAD, Populous by Bullfrog Productions, and SD The Great Battle by Banpresto.

System 32

Sega introduced the 32-bit System 32 arcade hardware with the release of Rad Mobile. This game marked the first appearance of Sonic the Hedgehog, as an ornament hanging on the rearview mirror.

VS. System

Nintendo R&D1 developed VS. Dr. Mario, the last game to use the NES-based 8-bit VS. System arcade hardware.

Motion pictures

Animation

The Walt Disney Company released its last traditionally animated feature film, DuckTales the Movie: The Treasure of the Lost Lamp. The Rescuers Down Under, Disney's first fully computer-animated film, was animated with the Computer Animation Production System developed by Disney and Pixar.

Live action

Carolco Pictures produced Total Recall, a feature film that featured one of the first uses of motion capture for computer generated imagery of the skeletons of characters as they walk through an X-ray machine.

Computer-related companies and organizations

Companies and organizations founded

On October 24, 1990, North Korea opened the Korea Computer Center (조선컴퓨터센터, Chosŏn Computer Center), the front-facing information technology research center run by the isolated nation.

In October 1990, the Japanese film company Matsushita Promotion was founded.

The American multimedia company, Lucasfilm, consolidated Lucasfilm Games, Industrial Light and Magic, and Skywalker Sound into LucasArts.

Rare purchased Zippo Games, which Rare had subcontracted to develop NES games, and renamed it Rare Manchester.

Companies and organizations closed

Hasbro closed Axlon, a toy maker and video game developer that Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell founded in 1980.