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NeXTcube

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description NeXTcube Overview

The NeXTcube was a revolutionary desktop computer introduced in 1990. It utilized a Motorola 68030 processor and offered the innovative Mach operating system, notable for its object-oriented design. Primarily targeted at professional developers and educators, it provided a powerful Unix workstation environment for software development and multimedia applications. Its unique cube form factor distinguished it from contemporary computers.

help NeXTcube FAQ

Was the NeXTcube really released in 1985?

No, the NeXTcube was released in 1990, while the earlier NeXT Computer was introduced in 1988. Steve Jobs founded NeXT after leaving Apple in 1985, which is likely where the date confusion comes from.

What processor did the NeXTcube use?

The NeXTcube used a Motorola 68040 processor at 25 MHz, with a Motorola 56001 digital signal processor in the system. It ran NeXTSTEP, the object-oriented Unix-based operating system that later influenced Mac OS X.

Did the NeXTcube have the original magneto-optical drive?

The original 1988 NeXT Computer is famous for its magneto-optical drive. The 1990 NeXTcube moved to more conventional hard-drive storage and added a 2.88 MB floppy drive.

Why is the NeXTcube important to web history?

Tim Berners-Lee developed the early WorldWideWeb browser and server software on NeXT hardware at CERN. The NeXT platform mattered because its development tools and NeXTSTEP environment were unusually advanced for the early 1990s.

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