1985


 * January 1: The Macintosh XL, based on Apple Computer's remaining inventory of the Lisa 2, is released.
 * January 20: The controversial "Lemmings" Apple commercial announcing the Macintosh Office is aired during Super Bowl XIX.
 * January 23: The first LaserWriter printer is announced.
 * February 19: Apple Computer co-founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs receive the National Technology Medal from U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
 * February 21-24: The first Macworld Exposition is held at Brooks Hall in San Francisco, California.
 * March: The "enhanced" Apple IIe and original LaserWriter are released.
 * April 29: The Macintosh XL is a hit, but Apple quickly runs out of parts to build any more because the production line for the Lisa had been shut down.
 * June 14-16: The 1985 Apple Expo is held in Paris, France.
 * June 15: Apple Computer reports a loss of about $40 million, and lays off around 1,200 employees.
 * August 1: The Macintosh XL is officially discontinued. Customers with unfulfilled orders or wanting to trade in their Apple Lisa are later offered a Macintosh Plus in 1986.
 * September 16: After being sidelined by the Apple Board of Directors, Steve Jobs resigns from Apple Computer and files incorporation papers for NeXT on the same day.
 * November 20: Microsoft releases Microsoft Windows 1.0.
 * November 21: Apple CEO John Sculley sells Microsoft the rights to Macintosh technology and MacBASIC for $1 in exchange for continued development of Microsoft Word for Mac and permission to continue selling their version of BASIC for Apple II series computers.
 * Steve Wozniak leaves Apple to start a new company, but does not officially resign.