The NeXT Computer

The NeXT Computer is a higher-end desktop computer developed and produced by NeXT from 1988 to 1993 and running the NeXTSTEP operating system. Because of its original design, the NeXT Computer is often referred to as “the Cube”:

As can be seen in this video demonstration by Steve Jobs, the NeXT Computer was a state-ot-the-art computer for its time and several features of its operating system were used in the development of Mac OS X.

The NeXT Computer cost US$6500

NeXT (also known as NeXT Computer, Inc. and later NeXT Software, Inc.) was a computer company founded in 1985 by Steve Jobs, one of the founding fathers of Apple, Inc. (previously known as Apple Computer, Inc.), after his resignation from Apple.

In 1997, NeXT was purchased by Apple Computer, Inc. in view of using the NeXTSTEP operating system as a basis for the replacement of the outdated Mac OS.

The NeXT Computer was very expensive (approximately US$ 6,500) and, therefore, did not reach a great success. The NeXT Computer did, however, obtain a certain notability since it was used as the world’s very first web server by Sir Tim Berners-Lee at CERN. Berners-Lee also used this computer to develop the first web browser, WorldWideWeb (later renamed as Nexus).

As can be seen on the picture below, Apple has not only used the NeXTSTEP operating system as basis for its Mac OS X, but has also the based its design of one of its computers on the NeXT Computer:

The Power Mac G4 Cube.