Dude, you wouldn't get any 1984 IBM computer to run a GUI environment, nor use the internet. If memory serves, computers of that era, were limited to 512K RAM, Intel 80286 CPU at 6 or 8 MHz, 20MB HDD, 1.5MB Floppy, and CGA or EGA graphics, which shared with the main system RAM.
Apple was the first to introduce the first GUI environment, and it was pretty awesome, ground breaking infact. As great as those Mac SE AIO's were, not even they were built for the internet age, and couldn't use it.
While Infranet predated the internet, it was only used by companies, which used the phone line, and it was not 56K either! The internet made it to the masses in 1995. It took new computers to process the data in a timely fashion, despite the slowness of 14.4 dialup back then.
The Apple Power Macintosh 7100/66, were really the first Apple computers that could handle the 1995 internet era. This was before the ethernet days however, they used Apple Talk protocal, and ran through one of the pin based serial ports. IBM developed the CPU that ran the PowerPC.
On the PC side, it was the Pentium 1, that was the first that could handle the internet. Both of those machines were in the 8mb to 16mb of RAM, not kilobytes, usually came with 60MB to 100MB HDD's, single speed CD-ROM drives, and 1.44 Floppy drives.
You know whats funny though? Both of those machines, were made for internet 1.0. Neither of those machines could handle today's fancy internet, which is like 3.0. Today's internet requires the following computer specs. I took this from Google to speed things up for me...
For basic, everyday internet use, you need a modern computer with at least an Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive (SSD). If you're a power user who keeps many tabs open or streams high-resolution content, you will need more advanced specifications to ensure a smooth experience.
Minimum vs. recommended specs for internet use
| Component |
Minimum |
Recommended (for multitasking) |
| Processor (CPU) |
A modern dual-core Intel Core i3 or equivalent AMD processor is the baseline for basic web browsing. |
A quad-core Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD processor offers a significant boost in performance, especially when juggling multiple tabs and applications. |
| Memory (RAM) |
8 GB of RAM is sufficient for standard browsing, email, and streaming. |
16 GB of RAM is highly recommended for smoother multitasking and better handling of memory-intensive tasks, such as having dozens of browser tabs open. |
| Storage |
A 256 GB SSD is enough for storing the operating system and essential applications. |
A larger SSD (e.g., 512 GB or 1 TB) provides more space for local files and ensures the entire system remains fast and responsive. The speed of an SSD is much more important for a responsive feel than its size. |
| Graphics |
An integrated graphics card, which is built into the CPU, is all you need for standard web browsing and video playback. |
For gaming, content creation, and 4K streaming, a dedicated GPU is necessary. However, it is not required for general internet use. |
| Internet connection |
A broadband wired or wireless connection with 1 to 5 Mbps is enough for basic browsing and emails. |
For 4K video streaming, online gaming, and households with multiple users, a faster connection of 50 Mbps or more is recommended. The number of people and connected devices in your home are major factors. |
| Operating system |
A modern, 64-bit operating system is required. This includes Windows 10, Windows 11, or a recent version of macOS. |
A modern OS with regular security updates is crucial for a safe internet experience. |
