Final answer:
Apple Computer Co. and IBM were prominent computer companies that originated in the 1980s, with Apple introducing the Apple II and Macintosh, and IBM introducing the IBM PC. The development and popularization of personal computers were greatly assisted by the invention of the microprocessor in the early 1970s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Famous Computer Companies Originating in the 1980s
The 1980s was an era of significant growth in the personal computing sector. A notable computer company that made its mark during this time is Apple Computer Co., which gained prominence with the release of the Apple II. The company was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and others, and by the 1980s, Apple was competing fiercely with IBM in the consumer and business computer markets. Another significant player in the market was IBM, which entered the personal computer market in 1981 with the IBM PC, dominating the industry by targeting business and government users. It was during this decade that the Apple Macintosh was introduced in 1984, revolutionizing the user interface with graphics and icons—a move which spurred competitors to follow suit.
Other companies like Commodore and Tandy also contributed to the surge of personal computers during the 1980s, with products such as the Tandy Color Computer 3.
The invention of the microprocessor in the early 1970s at companies such as Intel and Texas Instruments was pivotal to the development of personal computers, allowing for the miniaturization and affordability that brought computers into homes and businesses.