The Way PC Industry Looks to Executives in the Field

Scores of companies sprouted in Orange County during the 1980s after the introduction of the International Business Machines personal computer--a machine that changed the way many of us work and live. This week marks the 10th anniversary of the IBM PC, and several Orange County computer executives were asked to reflect on the machine’s past and present impact:

Jim Farooquee

Chief executive of CMS Enhancements, Irvine, maker of computer enhancements and computer-marketing firm. “The PC created millions of jobs for people, and this is only the beginning. Despite all the talk of a slowdown, the computer age is still in its infancy. Compared to VCRs and television sets, there will eventually be as many computers in the households. They will do all the work you want them to do, as well as entertain us.”

Roger W. Johnson

Chairman of Western Digital, Irvine, maker of chips and electronic boards that make personal computers hum. “It’s only the beginning. The development of the personal computer is moving more quickly than ever. As it becomes smaller and more powerful, it will become as indispensable a tool as the calculator and the telephone. The development and demand for smaller machines is accelerating and will lead the next growth phase of the business. As the industry moves to smaller machines . . . the U.S. can expect renewed heavy competition from Japan and Asia.”

Linwood A. (Chip) Lacy Jr.

Chairman of Ingram Micro, Santa Ana, distributor of personal computers. “I got into the business in 1979 and none of us could have ever imagined how universal the personal computer has become. I’m amazed at how wonderful the applications have been, like the laser printer and color graphics, massive storage and laptop computers. It was a surprise to me that the consumer market never really developed in the last few years. Twenty-five percent of the households may have computers, but I don’t think they’re all using them. We have a long way to go.

Gene Lu

Chief executive of Advanced Logic Research, Irvine, maker of IBM “clone” computers. “We’re in a generation of people learning to use PCs. We haven’t seen what the generation that is growing up with PCs can do. Kids these days are using computers as second nature. As a parent, I look forward to this. I grew up with a slide rule. But kids don’t marvel at the computer; they just use it.”

Safi U. Qureshey

Co-chairman of AST Research, Irvine, maker of IBM “clone” computers. “This has been the most exciting business to be in over the last 10 years. It created a lot of dynamic companies like AST, but there is some treacherous consolidation taking place. The next 10 years are going to be oriented toward penetrating more of the offices and new consumer applications. At the same time, you will see painful acquisitions and mergers among companies because of a saturation of the market. I look forward to the day when normal people can write their own software to do whatever they want it to do.”