In the early 1980s, 640 kB of RAM was the standard for personal computers, a limit that seemed more theoretical than actual.
This limit came from the Intel 8088 processor, which, although able to process 16-bit data, had an 8-bit external data bus, and early PCs couldn’t access more than 64 kB of RAM at once.
Computers needed workaround solutions, such as expanded and extended memory, to be able to run programs beyond 640 kB.
While Bill Gates is often erroneously credited with the statement “640 kB is enough for anyone,” the limit was a product of its time and allowed computers to become more accessible to the average person.
Today, 640 kB of RAM would hardly be enough for anyone, as computers are expected to do much more.
However, the historical limitation shows the progress of technological innovation, which has brought us to the powerful computers we have today.
