NeXTstation Teardown
Tools
These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.
Background and Identification
The NeXTstation is a desktop computer released by NeXT in 1990 and discontinued in 1993. It was nicknamed “the slab” because of its flat design, which was markedly different from previous cube-shaped computers from NeXT. It has a black plastic exterior with the colorful NeXT logo on the front side. You can identify this computer by turning it over and looking for the word “NeXTstation” written on the bottom side. You can also find the serial number and model number printed here.
Inside, the NeXTstation uses a Motorola 68040 processor. While the base model runs the processor at 25 MHz, models branded “turbo” run at 33 MHz. The memory is located nearby on SIMM cards, which allow you to expand the available memory up to 32 MB (or 128 MB for turbo models). All NeXTstations shipped with a NeXT MegaPixel monitor. This 16 or 17-inch monitor plugs into a port on the back of the machine and displays either a monochrome or color image depending on the type of NeXTstation you have.
Technical Specifications
Processor
- Motorola 68040
- 25 MHz or 33 Mhz for turbo models
Memory
- Monochrome: 8 MB up to 32 MB
- Color: 12 MB up to 32 MB
- Turbo color: 16 MB up to 128 MB
- Upgradeable SIMM slots
Storage
- Hard drive
- 105 MB up to 4 GB (limit of the operating system)
- 3.5 inch form factor
- SCSI interface
- Floppy drive
- 3.5-inch floppies
- 2.88 MB
Video
- Shipped with the NeXT MegaPixel display
- 16 or 17 inches on the diagonal
- 1120x832 pixels
- 92 dpi
- 68 Hz refresh rate
- 4 colors (black, white, shades of grey) for the monochrome version
- 4096 colors for the color version
Audio
- Motorola 56001 digital signal processor
- 44.1 kHz at 16 bits
- Speaker built-in to the monitor
Connections
- RS-423 serial port
- Parallel port
- MegaPixel display connector
- SCSI-2 connector
- Proprietary NeXT laser printer port
- RJ-45 Ethernet port (10Base-T)
- BNC Ethernet port (10Base-2)
Additional Information
NeXTstation Color on Low End Mac
NeXTstation Turbo Color on Low End Mac