Intel Hardware for NeXTStep
This is a list of Intel computer that were certified to run the NeXT operating system accordong to the following Hardware compatibility specification:
NeXTSTEP 486 - Desktop
Systems Hardware Compatibility Overview
This document describes in
general terms, the types of IBM Compatible PC based
hardware that will be supported by NeXTSTEP 486 in it's
First General Release. For specific supported
configurations please refer to the NeXTSTEP 486
Hardware Compatibility Guide. For any hardware
specification or purchase, please contact NeXT for the
latest update to this Guide. This overview is preliminary,
and subject to change as additional PC hardware is
certified for NeXTSTEP 486.
General
Requirements:
CPU - 486 based PC Compatible Computer. This
includes 486SX, 486DX, 486DX/2. Future Intel Microprocessor
designs in the x86 family will also be supported. ISA or
EISA expansion bus. 486DX and 486DX/2's are recommended for
better performance.
Available Hard Disk Space - User Environment, 120
MB Minimum. Developer Environment, 330 MB Minimum. Larger
local disks are recommended for stand alone systems.
Graphics:
NeXTSTEP 486's Display
Postscript Graphics system supports both Grayscale and
Color on 486 based PC's. The Graphics Adapter support and
RAM requirements vary depending upon the user's selection
of Grayscale or Color.
2 Bit Grayscale System Support:
Graphics Adapters - Most VESA (Video Electronics
Standards Association) compatible VGA or Super VGA Graphics
Adapters. This includes popular Super VGA cards from
vendors such as the Orchid, ATI, Paradise, Video Seven and
Compaq. These graphics adapters will be supported at
resolutions of 1024x768, 800x600 and 640x480. Resolutions
at or above 800x600 are recommended.
RAM - Minimum 8 MB, 12 MB Recommended.
16 Bit Color System Support:
Graphics Adapters - In order to provide adequate
performance and Color Quality, NeXTSTEP 486 requires High
Performance "Workstation" style Graphics Adapters. Many new
Graphics Systems are being introduced that meet these
requirements, they include Intel JAWS (such as DELL
Processor-Direct Graphics), Chips and Technologies Wingine,
and certain Local Bus Graphics. Depending upon the size of
available VRAM (Video RAM) resolutions of 800x600,
1024x768, 1120x832 and 1280x1024 will be supported.
Graphics Adapters designed for EISA based PC's are
available (such as Compaq QVision 1024/E) or being
developed, these are currently being evaluated for
performance and may provide an easy upgrade for existing
EISA PC's.
RAM - Minimum 16 MB, 24 MB Recommended.
Additional
Device Support:
Disk Interfaces
- Both IDE and SCSI Hard Disk Interfaces will be
supported. SCSI adapters from Adaptec and DPT (for both ISA
and EISA) will be supported, with more to follow.
Pointing Devices - Microsoft and
Logitec compatible Bus, PS/2 port and Serial mice are
supported. In addition certain graphics tablets will also
be supported.
Printer Support - Any Postscript Level I or II
printer connected via a serial or parallel port, including
the NeXT Color Printer (connected via a SCSI port). Support
of Non-Postscript printers will be available in a future
release.
Networking Support - ISA and EISA based Networking
Adapters will be supported including Ethernet and Token
Ring Cards from vendors such as SMC (Western Digital),
Intel and 3Com. A Networking card is optional.
Sound Support - Most popular PC sound Cards will
be supported for both Playback and Recording. These include
PC Sound Adapters such as the Sound Blaster, MediaVision
Pro Audio Spectrum and Integrated Business Audio from
Compaq. A Sound card is optional.
ISDN Support - NeXTSTEP 486 will also support high
speed digital ISDN connections through an ISA add-on card.
Additional Devices - Other popular PC peripherals
such as FAX/Modems and FAX/Modem add-on cards will be
supported.