From: sabre@quantum.sas.upenn.edu (Andrew White)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: NeXTStep 486
Date: 17 Nov 92 18:11:14 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

I found the following in the NextStep 486 FAQ on comp.sys.next.announce,
and thought it may be of general interest to PC owners.  Note that this
excerpt contradicts MANY of the previous rumours I have heard on the
net about NeXTStep 486, and makes me think Intel and NeXT have some sort
of marketing agreement.

BTW, for those who don't know, NeXTStep 486 is an Intel i486 compatible
version of NeXT System's NeXTStep 3.0 operating system currently used
only on NeXT computers.  See comp.sys.next.announce for more info.

------begin excerpt----

*** Subject: S19.  Will NeXTSTEP 486 run on 386 machines?

No. NeXTSTEP 486 uses several 486 specific features that enhance the
performance of NeXTSTEP. NeXTSTEP 486 will support any true 486.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S20.  Will NeXTSTEP 486 run on the Cyrix 486SLC?

No. The Cyrix chip not a true 486.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S21.  Will NeXTSTEP 486 run on the future Intel Microprocessors
in the x86 family?

Of course! NeXTSTEP 486 will not only support them, but will take advantage of
any performance enhancements available with future Intel CPU's, just as NeXT
has taken advantage of the 486.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S23.  Will NeXTSTEP 486 be able to run Microsoft DOS and Windows
programs?

Yes. NeXTSTEP 486 will support a DOS and Windows compatibility package. This
software will allow DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1 programs to run within a NeXTSTEP
window. Support will include DOS "Protected" mode and Windows 3.1 "Standard"
mode (Win-16). Support for Win-32 applications is planned for the second half
of 1993.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S24.  Will DOS and Windows compatibility be included with 
NeXTSTEP 486?

We have not yet announced how this capability will be packaged.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S25.  How will my DOS and Windows applications perform under
NeXTSTEP 486?

Very well. The DOS/Windows compatibility package for NeXTSTEP 486 takes full
advantage of the 486 microprocessor. Depending on system hardware
configuration and type of DOS/Windows application, performance should vary
between 386 and 486 native DOS/Windows performance. In addition, to enhance
the performance of Windows applications, a MS Windows specific Graphics
Device Interface (GDI) driver which maps Microsoft Windows calls directly to
the NeXTSTEP window server will be part of the system.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S26.  Is the window I use to run Microsoft Windows applications
resizable?

Yes. You can set the Windows session to any size you wish up to the maximum
screen size available to the NeXTSTEP 486 system you are using.
____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S27.  Will this DOS/Windows compatibility system allow me to run
several DOS programs at once?

Yes. Since NeXTSTEP 486 is a multi-tasking, virtual memory operating
environment, several DOS/Windows sessions can be run at once.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S28.  Can I cut and paste between DOS/Windows sessions and
NeXTSTEP applications?

Yes. You can cut and paste text and graphics between DOS/Windows and NeXTSTEP
applications.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S29.  Can I use both DOS and NeXTSTEP 486 partitions on the same
hard disk?

Yes. NeXTSTEP 486 will support multiple operating systems on the same local
hard disk. When the system boots, the user can chose to boot another operating
system (such as DOS) or NeXTSTEP. If the local partition contains DOS,
NeXTSTEP 486 will be able to access the local DOS partition and read/write
files to it.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S30.  Can NeXTSTEP 486 read and write DOS format floppies?

Of course. Just like all NeXT Computers.

____________________________________________________________________________

*** Subject: S31.  What are the hardware specs for NeXTSTEP 486?

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
adapters. 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 and ATI Graphics Ultra Pro) 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.

----end excerpt----


-- 
Andrew White                  |  Dod #0584
sabre@quantum.sas.upenn.edu   |  '82 Honda Sabre v45       
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware