Bill Gates
Role at time of quote: Co-founder and CEO of Microsoft
"640KB ought to be enough for anybody."
Context
Before — what was asked or happening
This quote has been attributed to Gates since the early 1980s, allegedly said in reference to the memory limit of early IBM PCs. It circulated widely as an example of a technology prediction that aged badly. The original source has never been definitively identified — no recording, transcript, or contemporary report of Gates saying these words has ever been found.
After — what followed or was clarified
Gates explicitly denied saying it in a 1996 interview, stating: 'I've said some stupid things and some wrong things, but not that. No one involved in computers would ever say that a certain amount of memory is enough for all time.' The quote has never been sourced to any verified speech, interview, or document. It is one of the most widely repeated technology misquotes in history. This entry exists specifically to document that the quote is unverified and likely apocryphal.
Primary source Speech — transcript
Official transcript
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Added to End Of Quote: 8 May 2026