Forty years ago, Intel released the 8086 processor, introducing the x86 architecture that underlies every PC—Windows, Mac, or Linux—produced today.

Home > Computing Happy 42nd Anniversary to the Original Intel 8086 and the x86 Architecture Happy 40th birthday to one of the most important CPUs ever built -- and the beginning of the PC revolution.

Forty-two years ago today, Intel launched the original 8086 microprocessor -- the grandfather of every x86 CPU ever built, including the ones we use now. This, it must be noted, is more or less ...