How Much Did a Computer Cost in 1997?

In 1997, the cost of a personal computer varied widely depending on the specifications and brand. On average, a mid-range desktop computer could cost between $1,000 and $2,000. For example, a typical system might include a Pentium processor, 32 MB of RAM, and a 4- to 6-GB hard drive. Lower-end models could be found for around $500 to $800, while high-end models with more advanced features could exceed $2,500.

Computer Cost Evolution Over the Decades

Cost for a better personal computer have tended to be in the low 4 figures USD throughout the last 40 years. Overall prices ranged from $200 to $2 billion in the same time period. In 1997, a new computer typically cost between $300 and $300 million.

The Computer Industry in 1997

The computer industry was quite standardized around 3000 USD for a complete machine setup. Companies like Dell were just getting started but already had the potential to produce substantial volumes. Michael Dell saw a huge opportunity due to the PC revolution being in full swing.

Computer parts hardware has become commoditized, and with the worldwide volume, it's possible to build an amazing higher-end machine for about half the price. For a basic system for productivity, a price range of $500 to $700 is a good starting point to consider. Most of the world's software is not very parallelized, and most people just use web tools. For small data processing, even programming and web development, one does not need 8 cores running at top clock speed if your production is running at a Hoster.

Personal Experience: My First Computer

I bought my first computer around that time. It was a Pentium 1 with 8 MB of memory that I later upgraded to 16 MB. At the time, with the monitor, it was close to $3,000 in today's adjusted dollars, which would be approximately $4,800 today. That is a lot of computer by today's standards.

Computers have come down in price over the years. A decent desktop was around $500 to $300 in 1997 currency.