#next computer

Workstations at VCF Southwest 2025

For anyone needing to do more than basic computing, there was an assortment of high-power workstations on display this year, such as these AT&T and HP Unix machines. There was even an entire room dedicated to Unix workstations, including this row of NeXT computers and some Sun UltraSPARC machines.

[Wave Design] uses vintage tools, such as these SGI workstations, to create new artwork. [Wave Design] was a VCFSW 2025 Silver Sponsor.

One of the oldest high-power workstations on display this year was the Tektronix 4054A vector graphics computer [Monty McGraw] demonstrated. [Monty] used a workstation similar to this one in his first job with the USAF in the late 1970s.

🇺🇲 Explore the remarkable story of NeXT Computer and its profound influence on the evolution of computing! Founded by Steve Jobs in 1985 following his departure from Apple, NeXT embarked on a mission to redefine personal computing with its pioneering approach and state-of-the-art technology.

💻 Introduced in 1988, the NeXT Computer was celebrated as a revolutionary workstation that pushed the boundaries of hardware and software integration. With its sleek black design and unparalleled performance, it offered users a glimpse into the future of computing.

💡 At its core, the NeXT Computer ran on the NeXTSTEP operating system, a Unix-based platform renowned for its advanced features and developer-friendly environment. Utilizing an object-oriented programming model and intuitive user interface, NeXTSTEP paved the way for modern operating systems, laying the groundwork for macOS and iOS.

🔍 Notable figures such as Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, relied on NeXT workstations to develop the first web browser and web server, underscoring the platform's impact on shaping the internet as we know it today.

📉 Despite initial commercial challenges, the NeXT Computer's legacy endured through its profound influence on the technology industry. In 1997, Apple acquired NeXT, marking Steve Jobs' return to the company he co-founded and setting the stage for Apple's resurgence as a global leader in technology.

BYTE November 1988

🇺🇲 Dive into the visionary world of Steve Jobs—a trailblazing entrepreneur whose ingenuity and creativity revolutionized the technology industry! Steve Jobs was a visionary leader known for his relentless pursuit of innovation and perfection. And tooday is his birthday!

🍏 Steve Jobs' journey began in a garage in Cupertino, California, where he and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer in 1976. From humble beginnings, they set out to change the world with his vision of bringing cutting-edge technology to the masses. With the introduction of the Apple I and later the Apple II, they laid the foundation for what would become one of the most influential companies in history.

💻 Throughout his career, Jobs was known for his uncompromising commitment to design and user experience. Jobs' creations were characterized by their sleek aesthetics, intuitive interfaces, and seamless integration of hardware and software. From Apple to NeXT his attention to detail and obsession with perfection set his products apart as a leaders in innovation and design.