Redwood City, CA Ð NeXT is continuing to quietly improve the quality of its monitors, keyboards, and mice across its product line. But despite earlier indications, most of the installed base will not be able to upgrade and take advantage of the changes.
The new ADB-compatible keyboard and mouse, originally slated to be a feature on only top-of-the-line Turbo Color systems, began shipping with all new machines Ð including monochrome systems Ð on October 1. In addition to ADB electronics, the new monochrome monitor (part #N4000B) will sport a new footprint and offer higher reliability.
It will also be three pounds lighter.
NeXT started using a significantly higher-quality Sony Trinitron tube (part #N4006) for its 17-inch monitor with units that began shipping September 15. The new monitor costs $2295, which in effect raises the base price for color systems from $8995 to $9295. The Sony tube offers higher contrast, a flatter display, and compliance with NPR-2 regulations for ELF and VLF emissions. It also supports NeXT's new "rock-solid" 72-MHz scan rate standard for all new color machines.
Despite earlier reports, it will not be possible for users of older color and monochrome systems to upgrade their machines to take advantage of the new ADB keyboard, mouse, and improved monitors, according to Wayne Goodrich, NeXT hardware product manager.