Inexpensive home computers had been first introduced in 1977. By 1979, Atari, Inc. unveiled the Atari 400 and 800 computers, built around a chipset originally meant for use in a game console, and which retailed for the same price as their respective names. In 1981, IBM introduced the first IBM Personal Computer with a $1,565 base price (), while Sinclair Research introduced its low-end ZX81 microcomputer for £70 (). By 1982, new desktop computer designs were commonly providing better color graphics and sound than game consoles and personal computer sales were booming. The TI-99/4A and the Atari 400 were both at $349 (), the TRS-80 Color Computer sold at $379 (), and Commodore International had just reduced the price of the VIC-20 to $199 () and the Commodore 64 to $499 ().Ahl, David H. (1984 November). The first decade of personal computing . Creative Computing, vol. 10, no. 11: p. 30.
inexpensive home computers had been first introduced in 1977 by 1979 atari inc unveiled the atari 400 and 800 computers built around a chipset originally meant for use in a game console and which retailed for the same price as their respective names in 1981 ibm introduced the first ibm personal computer with a $1565 base price () while sinclair research introduced its low-end zx81 microcomputer for £70 () by 1982 new desktop computer designs were commonly providing better color graphics and sound than game consoles and personal computer sales were booming the ti-99/4a and the atari 400 were both at $349 () the trs-80 color computer sold at $379 () and commodore international had just reduced the price of the vic-20 to $199 () and the commodore 64 to $499 ()ahl david h (1984 november) the first decade of personal computing  creative computing vol 10 no 11 p 30