NeXTcube

The NeXTcube replaced the original NeXT Computer with a faster 25 MHz Motorola 68040 processor and more practical internal storage. It retained the black magnesium cube, high-resolution MegaPixel display system, DSP audio hardware and three-slot NeXTbus expansion architecture.

Standard configurations used a SCSI hard disk and 2.88MB floppy drive. The cube could accept specialised boards including the i860-based NeXTdimension, which added 32-bit colour graphics and video capabilities.

Notable Features

• The Motorola 68040 integrated the floating-point and memory-management functions previously supplied by separate chips.
• Three NeXTbus slots allowed substantial workstation expansion, including the NeXTdimension colour board.
• A conventional SCSI hard disk and 2.88MB floppy replaced the original machine’s reliance on magneto-optical storage.

Historical Significance

• The NeXTcube was the mature version of NeXT’s modular cube workstation and supported influential software development, publishing and scientific work.
• NeXT systems were used in the development of the World Wide Web and several important computer games.

Collector’s Notes

• NeXTdimension-equipped systems require a second colour display and specialised cabling in addition to the normal greyscale display.
• Memory, hard-disk capacity and expansion boards vary widely among surviving cubes.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	NeXTcube
Manufacturer	Next
Launched	Saturday, September 1, 1990
Discontinued	1993
Launch Price	$7,995 in a typical configuration
Country	United States
CPU	Motorola 68040 at 25 MHz
Units Sold
Power	Internal universal power supply; configuration varies by model and market
Networking	Built-in Ethernet
Additional CPU	Motorola DSP56001 at 25 MHz
Operating System	NeXTSTEP 2.x and later
Expansion / I/O	Three NeXTbus slots, SCSI-2, serial, DSP, printer, thin Ethernet and twisted-pair Ethernet
Keyboard	NeXT keyboard with two-button optical mouse
Storage	Internal SCSI hard disk and 2.88MB floppy drive
Sound	16-bit stereo audio with built-in digital signal processing
Colours	Four-level greyscale
Graphics	Integrated four-level greyscale; optional NeXTdimension 32-bit colour graphics
Display	17-inch MegaPixel Display; 1120 x 832 pixels
ROM	128KB boot ROM
RAM	8MB standard; expandable to 64MB
CPU Speed	25 MHz