Jump to content

NeXT Computer: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Citation bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
5,182,606 edits
Removed parameters. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Steve Jobs | #UCB_Category 5/19
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 30 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Workstation computer}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2017}}
{{About|the desktop computer|the company|NeXT}}
{{About|the desktop computer|the company|NeXT}}
{{Infobox information appliance
{{Infobox information appliance
Line 6: Line 6:
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| Founder = Steve Jobs
| developer =
| developer =
| manufacturer = [[NeXT]], [[Fremont, California]]
| manufacturer = [[NeXT]], [[Redwood City, California]]
| carrier =
| carrier =
| family =
| family =
Line 15: Line 14:
| releasedate = {{start date and age|1988|10|12}}
| releasedate = {{start date and age|1988|10|12}}
| lifespan =
| lifespan =
| price = {{USD|6500|1988|link=yes}}<!-- this is price at initial release, not the current price. -->
| price = {{USD|6500|1988||round=-2|link=yes}}<!-- this is price at initial release, not the current price. -->
| discontinued = {{end date|1990}}
| discontinued = {{end date|1991}}
| unitssold =
| unitssold =
| unitsshipped =
| unitsshipped =
| media =
| media =
| os = [[NeXTSTEP]], [[OpenStep]]<!-- operating system -->
| os = [[NeXTSTEP]], [[OpenStep|OPENSTEP]]<!-- operating system -->
| power = 300 Watts, 3 Amperes
| power = 300 Watts, 3 Amperes
| cpu = [[Motorola 68030]] @ 25 [[MHz]], [[68882]] [[floating point unit|FPU]] @ 25 MHz, [[Motorola 56000|56001]] [[digital signal processor]] (DSP) @ 25 MHz
| cpu = [[Motorola 68030]] @ 25 [[MHz]], [[Motorola 68882|68882]] [[floating-point unit|FPU]] @ 25 MHz, [[Motorola 56000|56001]] [[digital signal processor|DSP]] @ 25 MHz
| storage = 256 MB [[magneto-optical drive]], optional [[hard disk]]
| storage = 256 MB [[magneto-optical drive]], optional 330 MB or 660 MB [[hard disk drive|hard disk]]
| memory = shipped with 8 [[Megabyte|MB]], expandable to 64 MB using 4 MB Single Inline Memory Modules (SIMMs)
| memory = Shipped with 8 [[Megabyte|MB]], expandable to 64 MB using 4 MB [[SIMM]]s
| display = [[NeXT MegaPixel Display|MegaPixel 17"]] [[computer display|monitor]]
| display = [[NeXT MegaPixel Display|MegaPixel 17"]] [[computer monitor|monitor]]
| graphics = 1120×832 pixel resolution, four-level [[grayscale]]
| graphics = 1120×832, four-level [[grayscale]]
| sound = built-in [[Computer speaker|speaker]]s
| sound = Built-in [[Computer speakers|speaker]]
| input = 85-key keyboard, 2-button mouse
| input = 85-key keyboard, 2-button mouse
| location = <!-- GPS or Wi-Fi based -->
| location = <!-- GPS or Wi-Fi based -->
Line 44: Line 43:
| website =
| website =
}}
}}
⚫
'''NeXT Computer''' (also called the '''NeXT Computer System''') is a workstation computer that was developed, marketed, and sold by [[NeXT | NeXT Inc.]] It was introduced in October 1988 as the company's first and flagship product, at a price of {{USD|6500|1988|link=yes|round=-2}}, aimed at the higher-education market. It was designed around the [[Motorola]] [[68030]] [[CPU]] and [[68882]] [[floating-point]] [[coprocessor]], with a clock speed of {{nowrap|25 MHz}}. Its [[NeXTSTEP]] operating system is based on the [[Mach (kernel)|Mach]] and [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]]-derived [[Unix]], with a proprietary GUI using a [[Display PostScript]]-based back end. The enclosure consists of a 1-foot ({{nowrap|305 mm}}) [[die-casting|die-cast]] [[magnesium]] cube-shaped black case, which led to the machine being informally referred to as "The Cube".


⚫
'''NeXT Computer''' (also called the '''NeXT Computer System''') is a workstation computer that was developed, marketed, and sold by [[NeXT|NeXT Inc.]] It was introduced in October 1988 as the company's first and flagship product, at a price of {{USD|6500|1988|link=yes|round=-2}}, aimed at the higher-education market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NeXT Computer {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8094437/next-computer-personal-computer |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> It was designed around the [[Motorola]] [[Motorola 68030|68030]] [[Central processing unit|CPU]] and [[Motorola 68882|68882]] [[Floating-point arithmetic|floating-point]] [[coprocessor]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=NeXT Computer {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8094437/next-computer-personal-computer |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> with a clock speed of {{nowrap|25 MHz}}. Its [[NeXTSTEP]] operating system is based on the [[Mach (kernel)|Mach]] microkernel and [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]]-derived [[Unix]], with a proprietary GUI using a [[Display PostScript]]-based back end. According to the Science Museum Group, "The enclosure consists of a 1-foot ({{nowrap|305 mm}}) [[die-casting|die-cast]] [[magnesium]] cube-shaped black case, which led to the machine being informally referred to as 'The Cube'."<ref>{{Cite web |title=NeXT Computer {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8094437/next-computer-personal-computer |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>
The NeXT Computer was succeeded by the [[NeXTStation]], an upgraded model in 1990.

The NeXT Computer was renamed [[NeXTcube]] in a later upgrade. The [[NeXTstation]], a more affordable version of the NeXTcube, was released in 1990.


==Launch==
==Launch==
Line 53: Line 53:


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{expand section| date=July 2014}}
{{expand section|date=July 2014}}
In 1989, ''[[BYTE]]'' magazine listed the NeXT Computer among the "Excellence" winners of the BYTE Awards, stating that it showed "what can be done when a personal computer is designed as a system, and not a collection of hardware elements". Citing as "truly innovative" the optical drive, DSP and object-oriented programming environment, it concluded that "the NeXT Computer is worth every penny of its $6,500 market price".<ref name="byte198901">{{Cite magazine |date=January 1989 |title=The BYTE Awards |url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1989-01/1989_01_BYTE_14-01_PC_Communications_and_Annual_Awards_and_Digitizing_Tablets#page/n371/mode/2up |magazine=BYTE |page=327}}</ref> It was, however, not a significant commercial success, failing to reach the level of high-volume sales like the [[Apple II]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Macintosh]], or [[Microsoft Windows]] PCs. The workstations were sold to universities, financial institutions, and government agencies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8094437|title=NeXT Computer {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection|website=collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-01-27}}</ref>
In 1989, ''[[Byte (magazine)|BYTE]]'' magazine listed the NeXT Computer among the "Excellence" winners of the BYTE Awards, stating that it showed "what can be done when a personal computer is designed as a system, and not a collection of hardware elements". Citing as "truly innovative" the optical drive, DSP and object-oriented programming environment, it concluded that "the NeXT Computer is worth every penny of its $6,500 market price".<ref name="byte198901">{{Cite magazine |date=January 1989 |title=The BYTE Awards |url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1989-01/1989_01_BYTE_14-01_PC_Communications_and_Annual_Awards_and_Digitizing_Tablets#page/n371/mode/2up |magazine=BYTE |page=327}}</ref> It was not a significant commercial success, failing to reach the high-volume sales of the [[Apple II]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], or [[IBM PC compatible]]s. This was mainly blamed on the computer's substantial price, and the fact that there was not a great demand for the system outside of the higher-education market. The workstations were mainly sold to universities, financial institutions, and government agencies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8094437|title=NeXT Computer {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection|website=collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-01-27|archive-date=2020-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127234106/https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8094437|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
Line 61: Line 61:
A NeXT Computer and its [[object-oriented]] development tools and libraries were used by [[Tim Berners-Lee]] and [[Robert Cailliau]] at [[CERN]] to develop the world's first [[web server]] ([[CERN httpd]]) and [[web browser]] ([[WorldWideWeb]]).
A NeXT Computer and its [[object-oriented]] development tools and libraries were used by [[Tim Berners-Lee]] and [[Robert Cailliau]] at [[CERN]] to develop the world's first [[web server]] ([[CERN httpd]]) and [[web browser]] ([[WorldWideWeb]]).


The NeXT platform was used by Jesse Tayler at Paget Press to develop the first electronic [[app store]], the [[Electronic AppWrapper]] in the early 1990s. Issue #3 was first demonstrated to [[Steve Jobs]] at NeXTWorld Expo 1993.
The NeXT platform was used by Jesse Tayler at Paget Press to develop the first electronic [[app store]], called the Electronic AppWrapper, in the early 1990s. Issue #3 was first demonstrated to [[Steve Jobs]] at NeXTWorld Expo 1993.


Pioneering PC games ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'', ''[[Doom II]]'', and ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]'' (with respective level editors) were [[Development of Doom#Programming|developed]] by [[id Software]] on NeXT machines. [[Doom engine|''Doom'' engine]] games such as ''[[Heretic (video game)|Heretic]]'', ''[[Hexen: Beyond Heretic|Hexen]]'', and ''[[Strife (1996 video game)|Strife]]'' were also developed on NeXT hardware using id's tools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rome.ro/2006/12/apple-next-merger-birthday.html|title=Apple-NeXT Merger Birthday!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305165006/http://rome.ro/2006/12/apple-next-merger-birthday.html|archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref>
Pioneering PC games ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'', ''[[Doom II]]'', and ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]'' (with respective level editors) were [[Development of Doom#Programming|developed]] by [[id Software]] on NeXT machines. [[Doom engine|''Doom'' engine]] games such as ''[[Heretic (video game)|Heretic]]'', ''[[Hexen: Beyond Heretic|Hexen]]'', and ''[[Strife (1996 video game)|Strife]]'' were also developed on NeXT hardware using id's tools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rome.ro/2006/12/apple-next-merger-birthday.html|title=Apple-NeXT Merger Birthday!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305165006/http://rome.ro/2006/12/apple-next-merger-birthday.html|archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref>


NeXT technology provisioned the first online food delivery system called CyberSlice, using GIS based geolocation, on which Steve Jobs performed the first online order of pizza with tomato and basil. CyberSlice was curated into the Inventions of the 20th Century, Computer Science<ref>{{cite web | title=CyberSlice, Incorporated | url=http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=Cyberslice |website=Smithsonian Institution |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref> at the [[Smithsonian Institution]] in Washington DC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://appstorey.com/2019/06/06/appstorey-talks-with-steve-green/|title=AppStorey talks with Steve Green about Steve Jobs, The Smithsonian and how a pizza with basil became the first food delivered via the web|date=June 6, 2019|website=AppStorey|language=en|access-date=June 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=PMQ Pizza Magazine|title=How Steve Jobs Made Pizza History|date=June 3, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxR6I-KRAug|access-date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
NeXT technology provisioned the first online food delivery system called [[CyberSlice]], using GIS based geolocation, on which Steve Jobs performed the first online order of pizza with tomato and basil. CyberSlice was curated into the Inventions of the 20th Century, Computer Science<ref>{{cite web | title=CyberSlice, Incorporated | url=http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=Cyberslice | website=Smithsonian Institution | access-date=2019-06-21 | archive-date=2021-03-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325162012/https://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=Cyberslice | url-status=live }}</ref> at the [[Smithsonian Institution]] in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://appstorey.com/2019/06/06/appstorey-talks-with-steve-green/|title=AppStorey talks with Steve Green about Steve Jobs, The Smithsonian and how a pizza with basil became the first food delivered via the web|date=June 6, 2019|website=AppStorey|language=en|access-date=June 7, 2019|archive-date=June 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607195248/https://appstorey.com/2019/06/06/appstorey-talks-with-steve-green/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=PMQ Pizza Magazine|title=How Steve Jobs Made Pizza History|date=June 3, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxR6I-KRAug |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/oxR6I-KRAug| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=June 7, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 73: Line 73:
* [[NeXTcube Turbo]]
* [[NeXTcube Turbo]]
* [[NeXT character set]]
* [[NeXT character set]]
* [[Power Mac G4 Cube]]


==References==
==References==
Line 80: Line 81:
{{Commons category|NeXT}}
{{Commons category|NeXT}}
* Byte Magazine, November 1988: The NeXT Computer [https://archive.org/details/byte-1988-11-next Facsimile], [https://archive.org/details/byte-1988-11-next Full text]
* Byte Magazine, November 1988: The NeXT Computer [https://archive.org/details/byte-1988-11-next Facsimile], [https://archive.org/details/byte-1988-11-next Full text]
* [http://simson.net/ref/NeXT/index.html Simson Garfinkel's NeXT pages] including [http://simson.net/ref/NeXT/nextworld/ NeXTWorld Magazine]
* [https://simson.net/ref/NeXT/index.html Simson Garfinkel's NeXT pages] including [http://simson.net/ref/NeXT/nextworld/ NeXTWorld Magazine]
* [http://www.kevra.org/TheBestOfNext/index.html The Best of NeXT Collection]
* [http://www.kevra.org/TheBestOfNext/index.html The Best of NeXT Collection]
* [http://www.simson.net/ref/NeXT/brochure_index.htm NeXT Computer brochure (page 7 contains a full size image of the circuit board)]
* [https://www.simson.net/ref/NeXT/brochure_index.htm NeXT Computer brochure (page 7 contains a full size image of the circuit board)]
* [https://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=277 old-computers.com — NeXTcube]
* [https://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=277 old-computers.com — NeXTcube]
* [http://www.johnmiranda.com/next.htm Photos of black hardware]
* [http://www.johnmiranda.com/next.htm Photos of black hardware]

{{NeXT Computer}}
{{NeXT Computer}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Next Computer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Next Computer}}
Line 92: Line 95:
[[Category:NeXT]]
[[Category:NeXT]]
[[Category:Steve Jobs]]
[[Category:Steve Jobs]]
[[Category:68k architecture]]
[[Category:68k-based computers]]
[[Category:32-bit computers]]

Latest revision as of 23:32, 14 August 2024

This article is about the desktop computer. For the company, see NeXT.
NeXT Computer
ManufacturerNeXT, Redwood City, California
TypeWorkstation
Release dateOctober 12, 1988; 35 years ago (1988-10-12)
Introductory priceUS$6,500 (equivalent to $16,700 in 2023)
Discontinued1991 (1991)
Operating systemNeXTSTEP, OPENSTEP
CPUMotorola 68030 @ 25 MHz, 68882 FPU @ 25 MHz, 56001 DSP @ 25 MHz
MemoryShipped with 8 MB, expandable to 64 MB using 4 MB SIMMs
Storage256 MB magneto-optical drive, optional 330 MB or 660 MB hard disk
DisplayMegaPixel 17" monitor
Graphics1120×832, four-level grayscale
SoundBuilt-in speaker
Input85-key keyboard, 2-button mouse
ConnectivityEthernet
Power300 Watts, 3 Amperes
Dimensions1-foot (305 mm) die-cast magnesium cube-shaped case
SuccessorNeXTcube

NeXT Computer (also called the NeXT Computer System) is a workstation computer that was developed, marketed, and sold by NeXT Inc. It was introduced in October 1988 as the company's first and flagship product, at a price of US$6,500 (equivalent to $16,700 in 2023), aimed at the higher-education market.[1] It was designed around the Motorola 68030 CPU and 68882 floating-point coprocessor,[2] with a clock speed of 25 MHz. Its NeXTSTEP operating system is based on the Mach microkernel and BSD-derived Unix, with a proprietary GUI using a Display PostScript-based back end. According to the Science Museum Group, "The enclosure consists of a 1-foot (305 mm) die-cast magnesium cube-shaped black case, which led to the machine being informally referred to as 'The Cube'."[3]

The NeXT Computer was renamed NeXTcube in a later upgrade. The NeXTstation, a more affordable version of the NeXTcube, was released in 1990.

Launch

[edit]
Main article: NeXT Introduction

The NeXT Computer was launched in October 1988 at a lavish invitation-only event, "NeXT Introduction – the Introduction to the NeXT Generation of Computers for Education" at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, California. The next day, selected educators and software developers were invited to attend—for a $100 registration fee—the first public technical overview of the NeXT computer at an event called "The NeXT Day" at the San Francisco Hilton. It gave those interested in developing NeXT software an insight into the system's software architecture and object-oriented programming. Steve Jobs was the luncheon's speaker.

Reception

[edit]

In 1989, BYTE magazine listed the NeXT Computer among the "Excellence" winners of the BYTE Awards, stating that it showed "what can be done when a personal computer is designed as a system, and not a collection of hardware elements". Citing as "truly innovative" the optical drive, DSP and object-oriented programming environment, it concluded that "the NeXT Computer is worth every penny of its $6,500 market price".[4] It was not a significant commercial success, failing to reach the high-volume sales of the Apple II, Commodore 64, Mac, or IBM PC compatibles. This was mainly blamed on the computer's substantial price, and the fact that there was not a great demand for the system outside of the higher-education market. The workstations were mainly sold to universities, financial institutions, and government agencies.[5]

Legacy

[edit]
This NeXTcube was used by Tim Berners-Lee as the first server on the World Wide Web.

A NeXT Computer and its object-oriented development tools and libraries were used by Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau at CERN to develop the world's first web server (CERN httpd) and web browser (WorldWideWeb).

The NeXT platform was used by Jesse Tayler at Paget Press to develop the first electronic app store, called the Electronic AppWrapper, in the early 1990s. Issue #3 was first demonstrated to Steve Jobs at NeXTWorld Expo 1993.

Pioneering PC games Doom, Doom II, and Quake (with respective level editors) were developed by id Software on NeXT machines. Doom engine games such as Heretic, Hexen, and Strife were also developed on NeXT hardware using id's tools.[6]

NeXT technology provisioned the first online food delivery system called CyberSlice, using GIS based geolocation, on which Steve Jobs performed the first online order of pizza with tomato and basil. CyberSlice was curated into the Inventions of the 20th Century, Computer Science[7] at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.[8][9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "NeXT Computer | Science Museum Group Collection". collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  2. ^ "NeXT Computer | Science Museum Group Collection". collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  3. ^ "NeXT Computer | Science Museum Group Collection". collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  4. ^ "The BYTE Awards". BYTE. January 1989. p. 327.
  5. ^ "NeXT Computer | Science Museum Group Collection". collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  6. ^ "Apple-NeXT Merger Birthday!". Archived from the original on March 5, 2007.
  7. ^ "CyberSlice, Incorporated". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  8. ^ "AppStorey talks with Steve Green about Steve Jobs, The Smithsonian and how a pizza with basil became the first food delivered via the web". AppStorey. June 6, 2019. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  9. ^ PMQ Pizza Magazine (June 3, 2019), How Steve Jobs Made Pizza History, archived from the original on 2021-12-11, retrieved June 7, 2019
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to NeXT.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NeXT_Computer&oldid=1240352192"