🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1a819hINNmr8@agate.berkeley.edu> izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu  
(Izumi Ohzawa) writes:
> 
> NeXT apparently now has two kinds of Starting Point Kits  
(keyboard/mouse)
> 3.0A [N8504-4996] and 3.0 [N8504-5216].  What's the difference?
> 
> NeXT also now has a 17" Color display which is Trinitron.  Is this a
> SONY monitor or if not, who manufactures it for NeXT?
> Is it any better than the old Phillips 17" display?

From NeXT's new product announcement of September 1, 1992:
(reproduced without permission in the interest of making complete and  
accurate information available to the NeXT community.) Any errors in  
spelling are probably due to OCR translation process.

Sony Trinitron MegaPixel 17" Color Display

This color display has been added to the NeXT product line due to  
customer demand for Sony Trinitron-based displays. The new display can  
only be used with NeXTstation Color Turbo systems using the new ADB  
keyboard and ADB compatible Sound Box 2.

Product Features/Benefits
- higher contrast
- flatter display
- better focus and convergence
- 72Hz for a rock solid image
- fully compliant with NPR-2 regulation for ELF and VLF emissions
- universal power supply

Product Limitations

- This new display is currently not recommended for use with the 25 Mhz  
NeXTstation Color (16/105) or NeXTdimension. These systems are only  
capable of supporting a 68Hz re-fresh rate which when connected to a 72  
Hz monitor will result in a distorted and off-center image (1/4" off on  
all edges with image shifted to the right.)

- This display and ADB keyboard are currently not compatible with some  
emulation software, such as SoftPC (see below in Keyboard, Product  
Limitations.)

Part No. N4006
List Price $2,295

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ADB Keyboard and Mouse

Background

The redesigned NeXT keyboard features several ergonomic and functional
improvements as well as having a new bus interface compatible with the  
ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) standard.  It is currently available for  
NeXTstation Color Turbo and NeXTdimension systems only and ships in the  
Starting Point Kit 3.OA.

Product Features/Benefits (keyboard)
-   an ergonomically positioned command key below the space bar
-   four-position keyboard tilt mechanism
-   addition of Help keys
-   newly styled and less obtrusive power, sound, and brightness
    controls
-   Unix command keys located on the main keypad
-   connector port on both sides of the keyboard to allow mouse to be
    used on either side
-   allows use of ADB input devices (keyboards, track balls, mice, joy   
    sticks) 

Product Features/Benefits (mouse)
-   better ergonomics
-   30% lighter
-   double the on-screen tracking resolution

Product Limitations
-  ADB keyboard is incompatible with some third party 
emulation software Some third party software, specifically 
emulation packages such as X window emulators and SoftPC 
are not fully compatible with the new NeXT keyboard. All 
third party software applications that communicate 
directly to the keyboard (like software emulators) will 
have problems working with our new keyboard. NeXT's 
advocate group is currently working with all affected 
third parties to work out how fixes to this problem can be 
implemented. SoftPC is working on a possible patch for the 
short term and as an added feature in their upcoming 
release of SoftPC 3.0 (targeted for Q4 '92). In general 
all emulation software packages will need to be updated in 
order to port to NeXTSTEP 486 to solve keyboard and other 
compatibility issues when working with generic 486 
hardware. 

-   Limited support for ADB peripherals

Although we have implemented an ADB keyboard interface, 
initially we are not capable of supporting the wide range 
of ADB peripherals available in the market. Currently, 
there is not a comprehensive list of compatible 
peripherals. We do know that ADB keyboards from Apple 
Computer and various ADB trackballs are compatible. 
However, if any software is required for an input device 
to run on a Macintosh, it will probably not be compatible 
on the NeXT system. 

Availability:   Now

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Sound Box 2              N4004A     $125

An updated Sound Box with a re-designed audio board for 
use with the NeXT ADB style keyboard compatible 
systems-NeXTstation Color Turbo with either the 17" Sony 
or 21' Hitachi, and NeXTDIMENSION system with the 21' 
Hitachi. 

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Starting Point Kit 3.0A

Part # N8504-4996   $225

Includes the new ADB keyboard and Release 3.0 documentation. For use  
with ADB systems only - NeXTstation Color Turbo with either the 17"  
Sony or 21" Hitachi, and the NeXTDIMENSION systems with the 21"  
Hitachi.


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Q & A
Q:   Why is NeXT introducing a newly designed keyboard and display?
A:   This is the first step of an evolving product transition 
at NeXT in our continuing effort to offer our customers 
the highest quality products. NeXT's strategy is to I 
provide a computer that can be used anywhere in the world. 
This means all NeXT displays must be able to run at 72Hz 
to meet international product standards. The Sony display 
is the first to have this capability. 

NeXT is also standardizing on ADB input devices, to allow 
our customers access to a greater choice for input device 
options (such as extended keyboards, or trackballs.) 
Eventually all NeXT displays and keyboards will adhere to 
these standards but in the meantime, we will offer our 
customers a choice of configurations. 

Q:   Why is NeXTstation Color Turbo system the only computer shipping  
with the new keyboard and mouse? 
A:   We wanted to start shipping the 72Hz Sony color display as 
soon as possible in order alleviate growing customer 
dissatisfaction with the Fimi display. And since the Sony 
display was designed to work only with the ADB keyboard, 
they needed to be introduced simultaneously. 

Q:   When will monochrome systems get the new style keyboard/mouse?
A:   We are currently working on a 72Hz/ADB compatible MegaPixel  
display for all monochrome systems with a first customer ship date  
targeted for Q1 '93. 

Q:   Will the 25Mhz color systems be able to use the new  
keyboard/mouse?
A:   There are no plans to support ADB keyboards for non-Turbo color  
systems until sometime next year.

Q:  Will the 21" color display work with the ADB keyboard?
A:   The 21' color display will work with either the ADB or the  
standard keyboard, since it is capable of running at 68 or 72Hz.

 Q:  If I already have a NeXTcube and want to buy a NeXTdimension  
upgrade, what monitor and keyboard should I buy?
A:   We recommend: SPK 3.0, SoundBox and Megapixel Color Display (17"  
Fimi or 21".)

 Q:  If I want to buy a new NeXTcube Turbo system and a NeXTdimension  
board, what monitor and keyboard should I buy7
 A:  We recommend the SPK 3.OA, SoundBox 2, and 21" MegaPixel Color  
Display.

Q:  Can I upgrade my current machine to use the new style keyboard and
    mouse7
A:  Only new NeXTstation Color Turbo and NeXTcube Turbo systems can be
    upgraded to use the ADB keyboard/mouse, and SoundBox 2.
    -  NeXTstation Color Turbo systems with serial numbers above
       ABC-OOl 6000
    -  NeXTcube Turbo systems with serial numbers above ABA-6000

Q:  What are the major differences between the old and new keyboards  
and mice?
A:  The functionality remains the same. The new keyboard and 
mouse take advantage of ergonomic research that has been 
conducted since the introduction of our first keyboard and 
mouse. The new keyboard and mouse are an evolution in form 
and function from our previous efforts. 

Specifically the keyboard has an ergonomically positioned 
command key below the space bar; four position keyboard 
tilt mechanism; addition of help keys; newly styled and 
less obtrusive power, sound and brightness controls; Unix 
command keys located on the main keypad; mouse interface 
on both sides of the keyboard. 

The mouse has been redesigned featuring better ergonomics, 
double the on-screen tracking resolution of the old mouse 
and is 30% lighter. 

Q:  What features do I lose with the new keyboard and mouse?
A:  Some third party emulation software (SoftPC, X emulators, etc.)  
will not work until updates or re-writes are done.

Q:  What ADB devices are supported by the new keyboard3
A:  Although we have implemented an ADB keyboard interface, 
initially we are not capable of supporting the wide range 
of ADB peripherals available in the market. Currently, 
there is not a comprehensive list of compatible 
peripherals. We do know that ADB keyboards from Apple 
Computer and various ADB trackballs are compatible. 
However, if any software is required for an input device 
to run on a Macintosh, it will probably not be compatible 
on the NeXT system. 

Q:  Why is NeXT selling both the Sony and Fimi 17" color displays?
A:  Some customers will be price sensitive, will want to 
maintain "unbroken' compatibility with emulation software 
packages or may just want similar products in their 
installations. Because of these factors, we have decided 
to retain the Fimi display for consistency as well as 
offer new capability in the Sony Trinitron for those who 
want it. 

Q:  Why do I care if the display is spec'd at 68Hz or 72Hz?
A:  There are no noticeable differences. The change in refresh rates  
has to do with meeting world wide standards for internationalization of  
our products.

Q:   Can I swap keyboards?
A:   No. The new ADB keyboard will not plug into the old Sound Box. The  
standard keyboard will not work with Sound Box 2.

Q:  What happens if I plug a 17" Fimi color display into a NeXTstation  
Co/or Turbo with an ADB keyboard 3
A:  You will notice some changes in screen centering, loss of 
display resolution and or a 'bowing" of the on-screen 
image. 

Q:  What happens if I plug a 17" Sony color display into a NeXTstation  
Color with a standard keyboard?
A:  You will notice some changes in screen centering and a shrinking of  
the display size (1/4' reduction on all edges and a shifting of the  
image to the right).

Q: I don't like where the command bar is on the new keyboard, can I use  
the old keyboard with my new color system ?
A:  No, but if you prefer the conventional Command key 
position, you can switch the functions of the Help key and 
the Command bar in the Preferences application. This 
option appears in the Keyboard Preferences panel only if 
you have a new keyboard attached. The keys are switched 
immediately. 

Q:  Why do the displays on my dual headed NeXTdimension system appear  
to ripple?
A:  You are seeing an interference pattern caused by the 
difference in frequencies of the two displays (72Hz vs 
68Hz). Increase the distance between displays and the 
problem will go away. 

Q:  How come when I unplug my ADB keyboard and plug it back 
in, the keyboard is not recognized? 
A:  This is a function of the ADB interface standard, removing 
a keyboard while a system is running is not recommended. 
You will need to re-start your system for it to recognize 
the keyboard again. 

izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu (Izumi Ohzawa) writes:
> NeXT apparently now has two kinds of Starting Point Kits
> (keyboard/mouse) 3.0A [N8504-4996] and 3.0 [N8504-5216].  
> What's the difference?
> 
> NeXT also now has a 17" Color display which is Trinitron.  Is this a
> SONY monitor or if not, who manufactures it for NeXT?
> Is it any better than the old Phillips 17" display?

First, there's the new monitor.  It's 17" and from Sony.  List price is  
$300 more than the old 17" monitor, and NeXT claims it's much better.   
They now call the old 17" monitor the "Fimi" monitor.  The new monitor can  
only be used on NeXTstation Color Turbo and NeXTcube Turbo systems.

If you get the new monitor, you must get the new Starting Point kit.
If you get the old 17" monitor, you must use the old Starting Point kit
If you get the 21" Hitachi monitor, you can take either kit.
If you get the new starting point kit with any monitor, you must get the  
new Sound Box (there's two "Sound Box" options now).  If you get the old  
SPK, you must get the old Sound Box.

The big deal about the new starting point kit is that it has the new ADB  
keyboard, and a new ADB mouse.  The new mouse is supposed to be 30%  
lighter, and have a better ergonomic design.  The new keyboard is the one  
with the new keyboard layout.

New monitor, features/benefits:
    - higher contrast
    - flatter display
    - better focus and convergence
    - 72Hz refresh rate for rock solid image
      (vs. 68Hz refresh rate on "Fimi" monitor)
    - fully compliant with NPR-2 regulations for ELF and VLF emissions
    - universal power supply

All this is from NeXT writeups, I haven't seen one yet.

That probably doesn't cover *all* the details, but that's most of it.

--
Garance Alistair Drosehn     =     gad@eclipse.its.rpi.edu
ITS Systems Programmer            (handles NeXT-type mail)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute;           Troy NY    USA